{"689953":{"#nid":"689953","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Graduate Brings Culinary Flair to \u2018MasterChef\u2019 ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDaniel Meng, BA 2025, was 8 years old when he started cooking. His fried rice recipe was simple \u2014 rice and eggs \u2014 but it was enough to fill him up while his parents were at work, and it lit a fire in him that would eventually lead him to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/masterchefonfox\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMasterChef\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E kitchen to compete among the best home cooks in the country. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat began as a necessity for the Johns Creek, Georgia, native became a passion that he wanted to share with others. As he honed his skills in the kitchen, Daniel hosted dinner parties for friends and started a culinary club at his high school. When he arrived at Georgia Tech, he wanted to continue sharing his expertise, so he created CHEFS at Tech, a student organization that hosts cooking workshops, grocery trips, and restaurant outings. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCooking is one of the most important skills you can have, and that\u2019s not something they teach you in school, so I wanted to fill that gap. Then, I started creating content on social media because I wanted to share my love for food and teach the world how to cook,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEmbracing the \u201cglobal gauntlet\u201d theme of the 16th season of Fox\u2019s culinary reality show, Daniel showcased his Asian fusion cooking style, impressing the judges \u2014 Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Tiffany Derry \u2014 with his take on Mapo tofu, a Sichuan-spiced dish that he fused with ravioli.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u201cThat was better than some of the pasta I\u2019ve had in Italy,\u201d Ramsay said after tasting Meng\u2019s dish.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike preparing for a final exam at Tech, Daniel prepared extensively for his audition, helping him stay composed under the bright lights.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTech taught me to work under heavy pressure because you\u2019re surrounded by so many hardworking students,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you\u0027re in that kitchen, not only is the audience watching you, but the whole world\u0027s going to be watching you, so there\u0027s a lot of weight on your shoulders. But I knew I was ready because I was so focused, and this moment meant everything to me.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAble to execute his vision for the dish and take on Ramsay\u2019s challenge of doing pushups in the kitchen, Daniel earned an apron to secure his spot in the competition. The feedback from the three culinary experts gave Daniel the added confidence of knowing he can compete with the best, but it\u2019s the memories of cooking alongside his mother and sharing his food with friends and family that continue to push him.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022From when I was a kid up until now, watching my parents enjoy my food means everything to me. In the \u003Cem\u003EMasterChef\u003C\/em\u003E kitchen, the stage got bigger, but that feeling never changed. Cooking has always been how I show people I care. That doesn\u2019t go away, whether I\u2019m cooking for my parents or Gordon Ramsay,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen he\u2019s not competing, Daniel shares dishes on his social channels as a food content creator. From his Hainanese chicken and rice recipe to showing how he cooked for 70 of his fraternity brothers at Tech, Daniel wants his channel (@mengseats) to be a source of entertainment, education, and inspiration for those looking to elevate their skills in the kitchen.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile his dishes vary in complexity, his favorites are those that remind him of his childhood, and he continues to iterate on his fried rice \u2014 both in technique and ingredients. A message he shares, particularly with college students, is that adding simple \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/features\/2026\/02\/generating-buzz-protein-packed-industry\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eproteins\u003C\/a\u003E and fresh vegetables to dishes like rice or ramen noodles can significantly boost nutritional value, enhance satiety, and broaden their palate.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollow Daniel\u2019s \u003Cem\u003EMasterChef\u003C\/em\u003E journey on Fox every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT and stream the next day on Hulu.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Content creator Daniel Meng has been cooking since he was eight years old, and he\u2019s ready to share his skills in one of television\u0027s biggest culinary competitions. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EContent creator\u003Cem\u003E \u003C\/em\u003EDaniel Meng has been cooking since he was eight years old, and he\u2019s ready to share his skills in one of television\u0027s biggest culinary competitions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Content creator Daniel Meng has been cooking since he was eight years old, and he\u2019s ready to share his skills in one of television\u0027s biggest culinary competitions. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-04-23 01:06:14","changed_gmt":"2026-04-23 01:17:35","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680037":{"id":"680037","type":"image","title":"Daniel Meng","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech graduate Daniel Meng competing in the \u003Cem\u003EMasterChef\u003C\/em\u003E kitchen. Photo courtesy Fox\/\u003Cem\u003EMasterChef.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776906837","gmt_created":"2026-04-23 01:13:57","changed":"1776906837","gmt_changed":"2026-04-23 01:13:57","alt":"Daniel Meng","file":{"fid":"264271","name":"Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-9.12.05-PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-9.12.05-PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-9.12.05-PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3296364,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-9.12.05-PM.png?itok=ZBXDhxQH"}}},"media_ids":["680037"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"43101","name":"Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business"},{"id":"185293","name":"content creation"},{"id":"146881","name":"culinary arts"},{"id":"182828","name":"cultural food"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689912":{"#nid":"689912","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Is Building for an AI Future That May Not Happen","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWalton County, Georgia, didn\u2019t ask to become a test case for the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure boom.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.meta.com\/about\/?srsltid=AfmBOorq5DbaO21MiOmnzavdCGimvjUKN-1Hxf4u3ZVf7y4qlNfEjReW\u0022\u003EMeta\u003C\/a\u003E, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, made the decision for them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2018, the company broke ground in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.socialcirclega.gov\/\u0022\u003ESocial Circle\u003C\/a\u003E, a small town an hour east of Atlanta with about 5,000 residents, to build one of its largest U.S. data centers. It opened in 2020.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELocal officials called it a win.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022\/\/\/Users\/mazriel3\/Downloads\/Shane%20Short,\u0022\u003EShane Short\u003C\/a\u003E, president and CEO of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/choosewalton.com\/\u0022\u003EDevelopment Authority of Walton County\u003C\/a\u003E, said the plant generates about $10 million annually in property tax revenue and has led to road improvements and expanded broadband.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EElectric vehicle maker\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rivian.com\/\u0022\u003ERivian\u003C\/a\u003E followed Meta\u2019s lead and began construction on a plant near Social Circle in September 2025, adding to the area\u2019s rapid industrial growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut for residents, the shift from a largely rural, agricultural economy to an energy-intensive industrial one has put new pressure on power and water systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThey\u2019re seeing higher water and power bills, worse air quality, and very few jobs in return for this, while large corporations get tax benefits,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scs.gatech.edu\/people\/ahmed-saeed\u0022\u003EAhmed Saeed\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scs.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computer Science\u003C\/a\u003E, describing why residents in some communities push back on new data center development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaeed and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/josiah-hester\u0022\u003EJosiah Hester\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of interactive computing and computer science and director of the Center for Advancing Responsible AI, have spent the past year studying the energy, water, and financial demands associated with these facilities, and how those costs are distributed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBetting on Demand\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI data centers run on specialized chips that use large amounts of electricity. That power generates heat, which requires energy- and water-intensive cooling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe state is adding capacity based on expected demand, not current use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELast year, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved an estimated $16 billion expansion for Georgia Power to support that growth. It is expected to produce about 10 gigawatts of electricity at a given time. That\u2019s enough energy to power about 7.5 million homes for a year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf that demand materializes, the electricity is used. If it doesn\u2019t, the cost still has to be paid.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGrid Stability\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThose workloads can put a very large demand on the grid all at once, and then remove it just as quickly,\u201d Saeed said. \u201cThat sudden change is difficult for the system to handle.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat volatility is a separate issue.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven if data center operators pay for the infrastructure they use, large swings in demand can still strain grid operations, especially during peak periods or extreme weather.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat Comes Next\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack in Walton County, the Meta facility is already\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.covnews.com\/news\/cities\/social-circle-planning-commission-recommends-latest-data-center-request\/\u0022\u003Eattracting additional data centers\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach new site adds power and water infrastructure designed to operate for decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe servers inside need to be upgraded every few years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaeed and Hester said if Georgia wants to remain an AI and cloud hub, the state needs to set the terms and companies need to meet them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat starts with disclosure \u2014 how much power data centers draw from the grid, how that demand spikes, and how much water they use. It includes clear expectations for how those facilities respond when the grid is under stress, and protections for the communities where they\u2019re built.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers maintain that \u201cbuild it and hope\u201d is not a strategy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The state is spending $16 billion to power data centers that could be obsolete in seven years. Two Georgia Tech researchers say residents will pay for that gamble either way."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia is betting $16 billion on power infrastructure to support an AI-driven data center boom that may not materialize \u2014 and residents will pay either way.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe story follows two Georgia Tech researchers who argue the state is building for speculative demand: AI workloads drive massive, volatile energy use, data centers become obsolete within years, and efficiency gains only increase total consumption.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn places like Walton and Newton counties, the promised benefits \u2014 tax revenue and development \u2014 collide with higher utility costs, water strain, and minimal job creation. If demand falls short, the financial burden of overbuilt infrastructure shifts to ratepayers, leaving communities with the costs long after the companies move on.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The state is spending $16 billion to power data centers that could be obsolete in seven years. Two Georgia Tech researchers say residents will pay for that gamble either way."}],"uid":"36410","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 14:45:44","changed_gmt":"2026-04-22 20:35:24","author":"mazriel3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680009":{"id":"680009","type":"image","title":"Data centers","body":null,"created":"1776780028","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 14:00:28","changed":"1776780264","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 14:04:24","alt":"AI rendering of the servers inside of a data center","file":{"fid":"264242","name":"Data-Centers.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Data-Centers.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Data-Centers.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2439341,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/Data-Centers.png?itok=xre68az6"}}},"media_ids":["680009"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"194190","name":"AI data centers"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMichelle Azriel \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Sr. Writer-Editor Research Communications\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:mazriel3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emazriel3@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689942":{"#nid":"689942","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Traffic to Increase During Weekend Concerts ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech community members should plan for increased traffic near Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field later this week as the Institute prepares to host two Bruno Mars concerts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvent load-in will take place throughout the week. Intermittent delays and closures are expected along Bobby Dodd Way (between Techwood Drive and Fowler Street) and Fowler Street (between Bobby Dodd Way and Fourth Street).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeginning at 6 p.m. Friday, April 24, more significant closures will be in effect through the weekend. Techwood Drive will be closed from Bobby Dodd Way to North Avenue through Sunday following the concert.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, North Avenue will be closed between Techwood Drive and Luckie Street from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26. Fowler Street between Fourth and Fifth streets will be limited to parking pass holders accessing Peters Parking Deck.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBe sure to allow extra travel time, use alternate routes, and remain alert to changing traffic patterns in the area.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003ETransportation Changes\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFriday, April 24\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERed Route Stinger will detour beginning at 5:30 p.m. (see map). \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWeekend Atlantic and Midtown Stinger routes will operate from 8 a.m. to noon. Buses will be labeled \u201ccharter\u201d in the TransLoc app.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWeekend Gold, Red, and Blue Stinger routes will not operate.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStingerette Nighttime Safety Service will not operate during the concerts and will resume once roads reopen. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EParking Changes\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParking permit holders will be notified via email if they need to move their vehicle. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu\/2026\/04\/21\/modified-parking-and-transit-due-to-concert-on-campus-april-25-26\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESee a map of all affected parking areas\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe following parking areas will be closed to permit holders to accommodate concert parking:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThursday, April 23, at 5 p.m., through Monday, April 27, at 8 a.m.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE44: Lyman Hall Lot \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EER51: Fowler Street from Fourth Street to Bobby Dodd Way \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaturday, April 25, at 8 a.m., through Monday, April 27, at 8 a.m.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EER51: Fowler Street from Fifth Street to Fourth Street\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EER51: Techwood Drive from Fourth Street to Bobby Dodd Way\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE45: Tech Tower \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE46: Burge Deck\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE48: Wardlaw Center\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE49: Alumni Lot \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE52: Peters Deck\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE63: O\u2019Keefe Lot \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE65: McCamish Pavilion\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EER55: Sixth Street to Fifth Street\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EW01: Tech Parkway\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlternative parking will be available to permit holders beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the following locations:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EE70: GTRI Deck\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EER66: Family Housing Deck\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EW06: Tech Parkway\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EW21: Physics\/Boggs\/Mason\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EW31: IPST\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWR29: West Campus Residential\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EExpect delays, intermittent closures, and restricted access around Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field this weekend.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Expect delays, intermittent closures, and restricted access around Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field this weekend. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-04-22 01:01:12","changed_gmt":"2026-04-22 20:09:02","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680024":{"id":"680024","type":"image","title":"Bobby Dodd Stadium has played host to several concerts in the past.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBobby Dodd Stadium has played host to several concerts in the past.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776863177","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 13:06:17","changed":"1776863177","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 13:06:17","alt":"Bobby Dodd Stadium has played host to several concerts in the past.","file":{"fid":"264257","name":"RollingStones_GATech15_iWally-22-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/RollingStones_GATech15_iWally-22-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/RollingStones_GATech15_iWally-22-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1916629,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/RollingStones_GATech15_iWally-22-copy.jpg?itok=AqN45Xuc"}},"680025":{"id":"680025","type":"image","title":"Parking Map for Bruno Mars Concert at Bobby Dodd Stadium","body":"\u003Cp\u003EParking Map for Bruno Mars Concert at Bobby Dodd Stadium\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776863222","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 13:07:02","changed":"1776863222","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 13:07:02","alt":"Parking Map for Bruno Mars Concert at Bobby Dodd Stadium","file":{"fid":"264258","name":"Bruno-Mars-Concert-Parking-Map.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/Bruno-Mars-Concert-Parking-Map.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/Bruno-Mars-Concert-Parking-Map.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2252496,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/Bruno-Mars-Concert-Parking-Map.png?itok=1sQsnSu8"}}},"media_ids":["680024","680025"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu\/2026\/04\/21\/modified-parking-and-transit-due-to-concert-on-campus-april-25-26\/","title":"Modified Parking and Transit Operations for Concert"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:specialevents@police.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Especialevents@police.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:support@pts.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Esupport@pts.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689951":{"#nid":"689951","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Andr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/andres-j-garcia\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAndr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda\u003C\/a\u003E has been elected to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.amacad.org\/news\/new-member-announcement-2026\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, joining an honorary society that includes Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Albert Einstein, and Martin Luther King, Jr. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EThe Academy recognizes leaders across fields of study who have addressed humanity\u2019s greatest challenges while also gathering knowledge to advance learning and the public good. This year\u2019s class of 252 honorees was elected in academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research, and science. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EGarc\u00eda is one of nine honorees in the \u201cEngineering and Technology\u201d division. His research \u2014 both in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E where he serves as Regents\u2019 Professor and in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioresearch.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E (IBB) where he is the Executive Director \u2014 aligns with the Academy\u2019s service-minded mission. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am inspired to find engineering solutions to serious health conditions to help people,\u201d he said. \u201cAs a kid, I developed a musculoskeletal condition that required biomaterial devices to treat. Although imperfect, this treatment allowed me to lead a normal life.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoved by his personal experience, Garc\u00eda\u2019s research centers on cellular and tissue engineering, which integrate biological and engineering principles to restore organ function lost to injury or disease. By studying how cells interact with the materials around them, he and his team have engineered biomaterials for the controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins and cells that enhance tissue regeneration, which could speed the healing process for patients. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis future work will integrate\u0026nbsp;biomaterials with lab-grown replicas of human organs (called \u201corganoids\u201d) that can be used to identify new therapies for a variety of human diseases. These organoids, though smaller and simpler than true organs, can mimic key functions that will hopefully allow Garc\u00eda and his team to find better ways to repair damaged tissues.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarcia\u2019s has spent the past 27 years at Georgia Tech and carries on the legacy of another Academy member \u2014 IBB\u2019s founding Executive Director Robert Nerem, who was inducted in 1998. Garc\u00eda credits his success to the support of his loved ones and the Yellow Jacket community. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am deeply honored and humbled,\u201d he said. \u201cThis award is only possible by the unending love and support of family, friends and mentors, my phenomenal past and present trainees, fantastic collaborators, and awesome ecosystem at Georgia Tech.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EThe Academy was chartered in 1780 during the American Revolution by a group that included John Adams and John Hancock. It was established to recognize accomplished individuals and engage them in addressing the greatest challenges facing the young republic.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EMembership has broadened over the years to celebrate excellence in a variety of fields. Honorees have included poet Robert Frost, musician John Legend, and chef Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s, who was given this year\u2019s Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarc\u00eda and the rest of this year\u2019s class, which includes actor Jodie Foster, will be inducted in October. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/andres-j-garcia\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAndr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda\u003C\/a\u003E has been elected to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.amacad.org\/news\/new-member-announcement-2026\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, joining an honorary society that includes Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Albert Einstein, and Martin Luther King, Jr. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The honorary society dates to the early days of the United States and honors excellence and contributions that advance society.  "}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-22 18:35:45","changed_gmt":"2026-04-22 18:45:53","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680035":{"id":"680035","type":"image","title":"ExecDirGarcia10-lab.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776882954","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 18:35:54","changed":"1776882954","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 18:35:54","alt":"A man with silver hair wears a white lab coat, white shirt, and gold tie will sitting behind a lab bench with research equipment on top of it.","file":{"fid":"264268","name":"ExecDirGarcia10-lab.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/ExecDirGarcia10-lab.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/ExecDirGarcia10-lab.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2396467,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/ExecDirGarcia10-lab.jpg?itok=1-GrI-YP"}}},"media_ids":["680035"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"14545","name":"George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"594","name":"college of engineering"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJason Maderer | College of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689931":{"#nid":"689931","#data":{"type":"news","title":"From Competition to Community: How Team Atlanta\u2019s AI Cybersecurity Breakthrough Is Going Open Source","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/team-atlanta.github.io\/\u0022\u003ETeam Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E claimed first place in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-makes-history-wins-darpa-challenge\u0022\u003EDARPA AI Cyber Challenge\u003C\/a\u003E last year, they weren\u2019t just celebrating a win\u2014they were demonstrating that artificial intelligence (AI) could autonomously detect and patch software vulnerabilities at a scale once considered impossible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, the team is working with the Linux Foundation and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/openssf.org\/\u0022\u003EOpen Source Security Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E (OpenSSF) to ensure that its breakthrough doesn\u2019t remain confined to a competition environment. The team\u2019s new initiative, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/openssf.org\/projects\/oss-crs\/\u0022\u003EOSS-CRS\u003C\/a\u003E, aims to standardize and operationalize cyber reasoning systems (CRSs) for real-world use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe AI Cyber Challenge pushed the boundaries of autonomous software security, with seven teams developing systems capable of finding and remediating vulnerabilities at scale,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003EAndrew Chin\u003C\/strong\u003E, a Georgia Tech Ph.D. student and lead on the OSS-CRS program.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHowever, after the competition\u2019s conclusion, it has been difficult to apply these advancements to the open-source community due to infrastructure incompatibilities and the lack of long-term maintenance for the open-sourced CRS implementations.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo address this gap, Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gts3.org\/\u0022\u003ESystems Software Lab\u003C\/a\u003E (SSLab), directed by Professor \u003Cstrong\u003ETaesoo Kim\u003C\/strong\u003E, is leading the development of OSS-CRS, which provides both a common framework for CRS development and the infrastructure needed to deploy these systems seamlessly across open-source projects.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs part of this effort, the team has ported its competition-winning system, Atlantis, into the OSS-CRS framework. The move makes it compatible with laptops and other everyday machines with flexible resource and budget configurations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInteroperability is also central to the framework\u2019s design. Atlantis can be combined with other CRSs to improve performance, including systems developed by fellow AIxCC finalists and newer agentic, command-line-based tools. This modular approach reflects a key lesson the team learned from the competition: collaboration between systems can outperform any single solution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOSS-CRS has been accepted as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/github.com\/ossf\/oss-crs\u0022\u003Esandbox project\u003C\/a\u003E within OpenSSF\u2019s AI\/ML Security Working Group, a milestone that brings added technical guidance and community support to the project. This includes:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAccess to mentorship\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDedicated working group meetings\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBroader visibility through industry events, publications, and outreach efforts\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe collaboration will also foster stronger connections with open-source maintainers, helping streamline vulnerability disclosure and remediation workflows.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETeam Atlanta, winners of the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge, are turning their competition-winning AI cybersecurity system into a real-world tool for the open-source community. In partnership with the Linux Foundation and the Open Source Security Foundation, the team has launched OSS-CRS, a framework designed to standardize and deploy autonomous cyber reasoning systems at scale. By open sourcing their technology and enabling collaboration between multiple AI systems, the initiative aims to make it easier to detect and fix software vulnerabilities\u2014strengthening the security of critical open-source infrastructure worldwide.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Team Atlanta, winners of the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge, are turning their competition-winning AI cybersecurity system into a real-world tool for the open-source community."}],"uid":"36253","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 17:28:31","changed_gmt":"2026-04-22 17:50:03","author":"John Popham","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680033":{"id":"680033","type":"image","title":"AIxCC-2025-27-web-copy.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776880174","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 17:49:34","changed":"1776880174","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 17:49:34","alt":"A group of people standing inside of a convention hall. ","file":{"fid":"264266","name":"AIxCC-2025-27-web-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/AIxCC-2025-27-web-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/AIxCC-2025-27-web-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1078593,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/AIxCC-2025-27-web-copy.jpg?itok=6t8OfTPC"}}},"media_ids":["680033"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660367","name":"School of Cybersecurity and Privacy"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Popham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II at the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jpopham3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689875":{"#nid":"689875","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Hidden Language of Life\u2019s Early Proteins","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHow did the earliest life on Earth build complex biological machinery with so few tools? A new study explores how the simplest building blocks of proteins \u2014 once limited to just half of today\u2019s amino acids \u2014 could still form the sophisticated structures life depends on.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe paper,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S258959742600047X\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Borderlands of Foldability: Lessons from Simplified Proteins\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, is a meta-analysis of six decades of protein research and reveals that ancient proteins may have been far more complicated and dynamic than previously thought.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ERecently published in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ETrends in Chemistry\u003C\/em\u003E, the study includes Georgia Tech researchers\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/lynn-kamerlin\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELynn Kamerlin\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E and Georgia Research Alliance Vasser-Woolley Chair in Molecular Design, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/academics\/degrees\/phd\/quantitative-biosciences-phd\u0022\u003EQuantitative Biosciences\u003C\/a\u003E Ph.D. candidate\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/qbios.gatech.edu\/user\/231\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlfie-Louise Brownless\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECo-authors also include\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isct.ac.jp\/en\u0022\u003EInstitute of Science Tokyo\u003C\/a\u003E graduate student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKoh Seya\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/liamlongo.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELiam M. Longo\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who serves as a specially appointed associate professor at Science Tokyo and as an affiliate research scientist at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bmsis.org\/\u0022\u003EBlue Marble Space Institute of Science\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe research has implications ranging from the origins of life and the search for life in the universe to cutting-edge medical innovation. \u201cOne of the biggest unanswered questions in science is how life first began,\u201d says Kamerlin, who is a corresponding author of the study. \u201cUnderstanding how the first protein-like molecules formed and what the earliest proteins may have been like is a key part of that puzzle.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cProteins power our bodies \u2014 and all life on Earth,\u201d she adds. \u201cSimply put, the evolution of proteins is the reason that we\u2019re able to have this conversation at all.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Protein Folding Paradox\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIf proteins are the scaffolding of life, amino acids are the components that make up that scaffolding. \u201cToday, an average protein is constructed from a chain of about 300 amino acids, involving 20 different types of amino acids,\u201d Kamerlin shares. Proteins fold when these chains twist into a specific 3-dimensional shape, creating structures critical for biology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHowever, while these folds are essential, exactly\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Ehow\u003C\/em\u003E a protein knows which way to fold remains a mystery. \u201cWe know that proteins didn\u2019t just fold randomly,\u201d Kamerlin shares, \u201cbecause randomly trying all possible configurations would take a protein longer than the age of the universe.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a cornerstone problem in biological science called \u201cLevinthal\u2019s Paradox,\u201d and highlights a fundamental mystery: Proteins fold incredibly quickly into very specific combinations \u2014 but like a sheet of paper spontaneously folding into an origami swan, researchers don\u2019t know how proteins \u201cchoose\u201d the folds they make.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe can predict what a protein will look like, but can\u2019t tell you how it got there,\u201d Kamerlin adds. \u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019re interested in exploring: how small early proteins developed into the complex proteins that support every living thing on today\u2019s Earth.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESimple Letters, Sophisticated Structures\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EEarly proteins likely had access to just half of today\u2019s amino acids. \u201cAbout 10-12 amino acids were likely available on early Earth,\u201d Kamerlin says. Like writing a story with just the letters \u201cA\u201d through \u201cL,\u201d researchers assumed that the \u2018vocabulary\u2019 proteins could build from such a limited amino acid alphabet would also be constrained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThere is a language to protein folding,\u201d Kamerlin explains. \u201cThat language is hidden in their structures. Our research is in trying to understand the rules \u2014 the grammar and vocabulary that dictate a protein fold.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe grammar they discovered was surprising: with a combination of creative techniques and environmental support, complex structures can arise from limited amino acid alphabets.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe found that it is possible to develop complex folds with very simple tools \u2014 and certain environments, like salty ones, can help support that,\u201d Kamerlin shares. \u201cEarly proteins could also cross-link and associate, interacting like LEGO blocks to create more complex structures.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPioneering Proteins\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENow, the team is conducting research in environments that could mimic conditions on early Earth \u2014 aiming to discover more about how these regions could have given rise to today\u2019s complex proteins. \u201cThis aspect of our research also ties into the amazing\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/2026-frontiers-science-advancing-space-exploration-0\u0022\u003Espace research\u003C\/a\u003E happening at Georgia Tech,\u201d Kamerlin says. \u201cWhile we\u2019re interested in understanding early life on Earth, our work could help inform where best to look for evidence of life beyond our planet.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKamerlin specializes in creating computer models that simulate possible scenarios \u2013 creating an opportunity to quickly and efficiently test many theories. The most compelling of these can then be tested by her collaborator and co-author at Science Tokyo, Liam Longo, in lab experiments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EProtein folding is also at the forefront of medical innovation, ranging from diagnostic tools to cancer treatments and neurodegenerative diseases. \u201cIn the broader scope, we\u2019re interested in discovering what we can design, what we can stress test, and what we can reconstruct with AI and other computational tools,\u201d Kamerlin says. \u201cBecause if you can understand how proteins fold, you gain the ability to design them.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: NASA, the Human Frontier Science Program, and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.trechm.2026.03.001\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Persistent link using digital object identifier\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.trechm.2026.03.001\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHow did the earliest life on Earth build complex biological machinery with so few tools? A new study explores how the simplest building blocks of proteins formed the sophisticated structures life depends on.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Life\u2019s first alphabet was likely small \u2014 but surprisingly powerful."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-04-20 16:06:30","changed_gmt":"2026-04-22 15:01:58","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677019":{"id":"677019","type":"image","title":"Lynn Kamerlin","body":null,"created":"1746193435","gmt_created":"2025-05-02 13:43:55","changed":"1746193435","gmt_changed":"2025-05-02 13:43:55","alt":"Lynn Kamerlin headshot","file":{"fid":"260878","name":"lynn-kamerlin_portrait.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/02\/lynn-kamerlin_portrait.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/02\/lynn-kamerlin_portrait.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":104455,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/02\/lynn-kamerlin_portrait.jpg?itok=UCfaKKYb"}},"680000":{"id":"680000","type":"image","title":"Amino acid diversity in peptides and proteins over time. Now, in the era of biotechnology, the amino acid alphabet is poised to expand again. (Figure Credit: \u201cThe borderlands of foldability: lessons from simplified proteins,\u201d Trends in Chemistry, 2026)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAmino acid diversity in peptides and proteins over time. Over time, the genetic code expanded into the 20-amino acid alphabet found in contemporary biology. Now, in the era of biotechnology, the amino acid alphabet is poised to expand once more. (Figure Credit: \u201cThe borderlands of foldability: lessons from simplified proteins,\u201d Koh Seya, Alfie\u2011Louise R. Brownless, Shina C. L. Kamerlin, and Liam M. Longo, \u003Cem\u003ETrends in Chemistry, \u003C\/em\u003E2026)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776701693","gmt_created":"2026-04-20 16:14:53","changed":"1776701693","gmt_changed":"2026-04-20 16:14:53","alt":"A diagram showing the history of peptides and proteins over time. It is shaped like an hourglass.","file":{"fid":"264232","name":"Fig1Kamerlin.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/20\/Fig1Kamerlin.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/20\/Fig1Kamerlin.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":591690,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/20\/Fig1Kamerlin.jpg?itok=l_Fxw_Fs"}}},"media_ids":["677019","680000"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689945":{"#nid":"689945","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Zoo Atlanta Elephants Embrace New GT-Designed Interactive Enrichment Wall","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETitan, Msholo, Kelly, and Tara are just like any other African elephants \u2014 intelligent creatures that require mental stimulation in their everyday lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey would normally get this in their natural habitats while foraging for food and staying alert to predators that might target calves.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/zooatlanta.org\/animal\/african-elephant\/\u0022\u003Ethe four elephants reside at Zoo Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E, so they don\u2019t have to worry about these things.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s why zoo caretakers are always on the lookout for better ways to help their elephants exercise their brains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe caretakers at Zoo Atlanta found one when they met\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ariannamastali.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EArianna Mastali\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a Ph.D. student in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing. Mastali designed an audio enrichment wall to help stimulate Zoo Atlanta\u2019s elephants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany zoos build concrete enrichment walls to foster elephant problem-solving and critical thinking. The walls usually have holes for the elephants to reach through with their trunks as they search for food, treats, or playful objects on the other side.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMastali enhanced Zoo Atlanta\u2019s enrichment wall by adding an interactive audio component. A nearby speaker system emits distinctive low-frequency tones when an elephant sticks its trunk into a hole.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThey\u2019re intelligent creatures that require a lot of complexity in their habitat,\u201d Mastali said. \u201cWe wanted to add to that complexity while giving them more control.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExperimenting in the Wild\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMastali\u2019s system uses cameras and computer vision to detect when an elephant\u2019s trunk is inside a hole and then sends a signal to the speakers to play a sound.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMastali is a member of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/animalab.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Animal Lab\u003C\/a\u003E, directed by School of IC professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/people\/melody-jackson\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMelody Jackson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The lab often uses sensing technology to enhance animal wellness.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMastali said she tried incorporating sensing devices into her project several times. She constructed an insert made of PVC pipe and attached a sensor to its base that used infrared beams to detect the elephant\u2019s trunk.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, she said it was difficult to account for the elephants\u2019 strength. Their trunks would break the insert after a day or two.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe pivoted toward computer vision to remove the risk of damage and keep the enrichment wall as close to natural as possible.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA big lesson we learned was that using existing materials the elephants are already familiar with was the best way to do things, and it simplified our design process,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShane Rosse\u003C\/strong\u003E, a student in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/omscs.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EOnline Master of Science in Computer Science\u003C\/a\u003E (OMSCS) program, assisted Mastali with the computer vision component.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnhancing Environmental Enrichment\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMastali observed the elephants\u2019 behavior at the wall seven days before and seven days after the installation of the audio enrichment system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe number of times the elephants approached the wall after installation increased by 176%, and time spent at the wall increased by 71%\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe weren\u2019t sure at first if they would care that much, so it was great to see how much time they spent at the wall, especially our less dominant females,\u201d said Kirby Miller, senior elephant caretaker at Zoo Atlanta. \u201cThey seem to like it the most.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMiller said the elephants used to only approach the wall when they knew there was food behind it. That started to change after the audio enrichment system was installed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe would be off somewhere else, and we\u2019d hear the speaker playing the sounds, and we knew there wasn\u2019t any food back there,\u201d Miller said. \u201cTara had her trunk in one of the holes, just listening to the sound. That let us know they do like it, and they\u2019re very curious about it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMiller said because elephants have sharp memories and acute senses of hearing and smell, their habitats must be designed with that in mind.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZoo Atlanta\u2019s African Savanna elephant habitat was redesigned in 2019. In addition to the enrichment wall, it includes a bathing pond, two waterfalls, and swing boom devices that hold hay for elephants to eat as they would in the wild.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMiller said elephants sheltered at any zoo or conservation would benefit from enrichment devices enhanced by technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI think anything they can participate in that gives them choice and control is great for all zoo elephants,\u201d she said. \u201cIt depends on the elephants, but with our elephants, they can hear much higher frequencies than we can. That noise isn\u2019t that loud for us, but for them, they\u2019re feeling that noise, and they can hear much more, which makes it more stimulating for them.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Ph.D. student Arianna Mastali designed an interactive audio enrichment wall for Zoo Atlanta\u0027s four African elephants. A speaker system plays low-frequency tones when an elephant inserts its trunk into one of the wall\u0027s holes, deteced by computer vision.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is working with Zoo Atlanta to design an audio enrichment wall for African elephants."}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-04-22 14:20:53","changed_gmt":"2026-04-22 14:44:15","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680026":{"id":"680026","type":"image","title":"DSC_2500.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1776867679","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 14:21:19","changed":"1776867679","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 14:21:19","alt":"Arianna Mastali stands in front of an African elephant in the background at Zoo Atlanta.","file":{"fid":"264259","name":"DSC_2500.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_2500.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_2500.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":203094,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_2500.jpeg?itok=g1EF8go7"}},"680027":{"id":"680027","type":"image","title":"DSC_0455.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1776867787","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 14:23:07","changed":"1776867787","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 14:23:07","alt":"Elephant at Zoo Atlanta sticks its trunk into a hole in the enrichment wall","file":{"fid":"264260","name":"DSC_0455.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0455.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0455.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":429358,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0455.jpeg?itok=7sLBTWa8"}},"680028":{"id":"680028","type":"image","title":"DSC_0522.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1776867847","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 14:24:07","changed":"1776867847","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 14:24:07","alt":"Elephant uses its trunk to grab hay that is suspended in the air","file":{"fid":"264261","name":"DSC_0522.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0522.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0522.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":455927,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0522.jpeg?itok=7GaCnto5"}},"680029":{"id":"680029","type":"image","title":"DSC_0500.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1776867908","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 14:25:08","changed":"1776867908","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 14:25:08","alt":"Zoo Atlanta visitor walk past the elephant exhibit with an elephant in the background","file":{"fid":"264262","name":"DSC_0500.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0500.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0500.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":235033,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/22\/DSC_0500.jpeg?itok=0F8wEbaE"}},"680030":{"id":"680030","type":"video","title":"Play That Trunk Music: Elephant Enrichment x Computer Science","body":"\u003Cp\u003EElephants require mental stimulation in their everyday lives, which is why Zoo Atlanta redesigned its African Savanna habitat that shelters four African elephants in 2019. The habitat includes an elephant enrichment wall that has numerous holes for elephants to stick their trunks into as they search for food on the other side.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe elephant enrichment wall at Zoo Atlanta recently received an upgrade thanks to a Georgia Tech Ph.D. student. Arianna Mastali designed an audio enrichment system that uses computer vision to detect when an elephant sticks its trunk into the enrichment wall as it searches for food. The system then sends a signal to play a unique tone from a nearby speaker that corresponds to each hole. So far, Mastali has found that elephant wall interactions have increased by 176%, and the elephants are visiting the wall even when there isn\u0027t food behind it.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776868980","gmt_created":"2026-04-22 14:43:00","changed":"1776868980","gmt_changed":"2026-04-22 14:43:00","video":{"youtube_id":"ANlIAhp4YTs","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ANlIAhp4YTs"}}},"media_ids":["680026","680027","680028","680029","680030"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"6765","name":"zoo atlanta"},{"id":"174264","name":"elephants"},{"id":"3237","name":"enrichment"},{"id":"104701","name":"animal computer interaction lab"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689934":{"#nid":"689934","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meet the Interior Designers Elevating the Georgia Tech Experience ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInterior design in higher education goes far beyond aesthetics. At Georgia Tech, it plays a critical role in shaping how students learn, collaborate, live, and feel on campus. From classrooms and labs to student centers, offices, and shared spaces, thoughtfully designed interiors quietly support the Institute\u2019s mission every day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat impact is driven by a talented team of interior designers \u2014 Christie Berkowitz , Reagan Donley, Alexandra Gutierrez, Stacy Laux , Polly Patton, Sarah Vaillancourt, and Becky Williams\u003Cstrong\u003E \u2014 \u003C\/strong\u003Ewhose combined experience spans decades and whose work touches nearly every corner of campus. While their backgrounds and approaches vary, they are united by a shared commitment to people, collaboration, and meaningful design in higher education.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDesigning With Purpose\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross campus, interior design is often shaped by historic buildings, fixed timelines, tight budgets, or sometimes, small footprints. Rather than limiting creativity, these constraints often elevate it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Sarah Vaillancourt, those challenges sharpen her design thinking. One of her favorite projects, a graduate student space designed to foster creativity and collaboration, used flexible seating, modular furniture, bright accents, and natural elements to support multiple ways of working. \u201cThe offices and spaces can sometimes be a constraint,\u201d she said. \u201cThat pushes creativity.\u201d More importantly, the project reinforced her belief in design\u2019s influence on mindset and behavior. \u201cI wanted to design a space that not only looked appealing but also supported students\u2019 creativity and productivity.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat focus on everyday impact resonates with Christie Berkowitz, who joined the Institute in 2023. Her favorite projects have been classroom renovations \u2014 spaces that may not stand out visually but make an immediate difference. \u201cWhile they might not be the flashiest spaces on campus, they have an immediate, profound impact on the student experience,\u201d she said. Transforming older classrooms into modern, active\u2011learning environments embodies her belief that good design is grounded in function.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReagan Donley, who has been at Georgia Tech for more than 11 years, approaches every project with the same philosophy. \u201cWhen I\u2019m designing or managing the design of a project, I always try to make sure a space functions like the users need it to and is the best design solution to meet those needs,\u201d she said. Her work balances form, function, long-term institutional goals, maintenance considerations, and historic preservation, often simultaneously.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollaboration at the Core\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInterior design in higher education is inherently collaborative, and every designer emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and trust.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Alexandra Gutierrez, communication is foundational. \u201cStarting conversations with the right stakeholders and understanding the scope and budget early on helps keep the project moving smoothly,\u201d she said. That approach guided her favorite projects, the Skiles and A. French breakrooms, where she was able to design the spaces from start to finish.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecky Williams, who previously worked at a design firm with Georgia Tech as her client for almost a decade, enjoys being on the other side of the table. She views design as a collective effort. \u201cI\u2019ve always viewed a project as a \u2018we\u2019 effort, we\u2019re all working toward the same goal, and we get there faster and better when we support each other,\u201d she said. Her favorite project,\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003ETech Square 3 (George Tower | Scheller Tower), stood out for its scale and complexity and for the opportunity to help guide the project from the owner\u2019s side.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat spirit of coordination defined one of Donley\u2019s most meaningful projects, a renovation for the Office of Undergraduate Education in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons. With rigid funding and scheduling constraints, success depended on collaboration across campus. \u201cWe had to pull all the strings to get the project finished in time,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was a privilege to help them meet their goals.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpaces That Reflect the People Who Use Them\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile collaboration shapes the process, people remain at the center of every design decision.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Stacy Laux, design begins with listening. \u003Cem\u003E\u201c\u003C\/em\u003EA workspace should feel like the person who uses it\u2014not the designer behind it,\u201d she said. Her favorite project, Science Square, stood out because \u201ceverything clicked.\u201d The success of the project came not just from the outcome, but from a team aligned around a shared vision.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer greatest inspiration comes from witnessing user connections firsthand. She tries to understand how the user moves through their day, what gives them energy, and what helps them unwind. She observes little habits and routines, which then inform her design process. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing better than seeing someone walk into a finished space and instantly feel like, \u2018Yep ... this is me,\u2019\u201d she said. That moment, she explained, is why design matters.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPolly Patton\u2019s nearly 19 years at Georgia Tech make her one of the team\u2019s longest-tenured designers. For her, that user connection begins face\u2011to\u2011face. \u201cI like to meet in person with my end\u2011user clients and listen to their needs before starting to formulate a design,\u201d she said. Her favorite project, the John Lewis Student Center renovation, reflects that philosophy at the largest scale. \u201cIt\u2019s the heart of the campus and is used by all students,\u201d she noted, making it especially meaningful.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EWhere Inspiration Begins\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor these designers, inspiration comes from many places: the campus community, the design process itself, and sometimes it\u2019s personal. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFirst and foremost, the students,\u201d Patton said. \u201cDesigning spaces to make their time here at Georgia Tech more enjoyable inspires me to work harder.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDonley finds inspiration in color and in helping users solve challenges\u2014whether through furniture, layout, or budgets. She enjoyed the Clough project because of the challenge of it being a significant change to the organization of the space.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBerkowitz is \u201cdriven by building the strong structural foundations that allow us to execute our jobs at a higher level,\u201d finding inspiration in systems and processes, building tools, and standards that allow the team to work more effectively.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Gutierrez, inspiration is personal. \u201cMy dad inspires me not to give up, and my faith pushes me to be better in everything I do.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGrowing up in a family of educators, Williams also draws creative energy from her family. She realized at a young age that drawing floor plans and rearranging her room was more fun than lesson plans. Additionally, the variety of work appeals to her. One week she could be designing a lab, the next, a collaborative space, then followed by something that feels more like a corporate office.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHigher Education Design Matters\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThoughtful design fosters a sense of community and creates engaging learning and work environments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHigher ed allows me to turn ideas into environments that support creativity, productivity, and well-being,\u201d Vaillancourt said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Berkowitz, it\u2019s about shared purpose. \u201cBeing able to tangibly support the day-to-day success of the campus community is what makes higher education special.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDonley points to how campuses have evolved. \u201cNow campuses are about the whole experience of the students,\u201d she said. \u003Cem\u003E\u201c\u003C\/em\u003EFurniture and AV components have become the main characters of these experiences.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPatton echoed that variety and impact. \u201cHigher education is a great mix of lots of different types of design,\u201d she said \u2014 from housing to learning to dining, plus athletics, and even retail \u2014 offering endless opportunities to shape experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen a team is this strong, it becomes its own creative ecosystem,\u201d Laux said. \u201cYou\u2019re not just designing spaces anymore. You\u2019re shaping experiences together. And when you\u2019re surrounded by people who lift your ideas higher, challenge you in the best possible ways, and celebrate every win right alongside you, your own creativity just expands. It\u2019s the kind of environment that keeps you energized and excited to show up every day.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, that ecosystem is one built on collaboration, purpose, and a shared belief that design has the power to elevate the entire campus experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThere\u0027s a whole team of experts designing our campus interior environments.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"There\u0027s a whole team of experts designing our campus interior environments."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 18:06:58","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 19:15:59","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680017":{"id":"680017","type":"image","title":"Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe interior designers shaping the campus experience. (L-R) Alexandra Gutierrez, Stacy Laux, Becky Williams, Sarah Vaillancourt, Christie Berkowitz, Polly Patton, Reagan Donley. Photographed on the third floor of the George | Scheller Tower by Allison Carter. March 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776794869","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:07:49","changed":"1776799932","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 19:32:12","alt":"Image of seven Georgia Tech interior designers","file":{"fid":"264250","name":"Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2477803,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG?itok=IC_vKdlU"}},"680018":{"id":"680018","type":"image","title":"Image--63-.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPhoto of the interior design of a Skiles Classroom Building breakroom.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776795489","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:18:09","changed":"1776795489","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 18:18:09","alt":"Photo of the interior design of a Skiles Classroom Building breakroom.","file":{"fid":"264251","name":"Image--63-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Image--63-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Image--63-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5607950,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/Image--63-.jpg?itok=3-HqGKj8"}},"680019":{"id":"680019","type":"image","title":"1000006067.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EImage of the light-filled main floor of the George Tower | Scheller Tower Building.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776797451","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:50:51","changed":"1776797451","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 18:50:51","alt":"Image of the light-filled main floor of the George Tower | Scheller Tower Building.","file":{"fid":"264252","name":"1000006067.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/1000006067.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/1000006067.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":477591,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/1000006067.jpg?itok=2AKQYDPX"}},"680020":{"id":"680020","type":"image","title":"acoustical-panels.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EImage of the design of the acoustical panels in the John Lewis Student Center.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776797670","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:54:30","changed":"1776797670","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 18:54:30","alt":"Image of the design of the acoustical panels in the John Lewis Student Center.","file":{"fid":"264253","name":"acoustical-panels.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/acoustical-panels.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/acoustical-panels.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":116686,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/acoustical-panels.jpg?itok=dQ2bo9BK"}},"680021":{"id":"680021","type":"image","title":"ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EImage of the Office of Undergraduate Education in Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776797963","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:59:23","changed":"1776797963","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 18:59:23","alt":"Image of the Office of Undergraduate Education in Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.","file":{"fid":"264254","name":"ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1920180,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg?itok=5eoM6bHf"}}},"media_ids":["680017","680018","680019","680020","680021"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"474","name":"interior design"},{"id":"177","name":"planning"},{"id":"823","name":"design"},{"id":"195052","name":"and Construction"},{"id":"128181","name":"renovations"},{"id":"193728","name":"I\u0026S News"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003ECathy Brim\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInfrastructure and Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Cathy.brim@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689850":{"#nid":"689850","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Doing the Dirty Work of Sustainability ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not glamorous. It\u2019s not trendy. In fact, it\u2019s downright grubby. But the work that a Georgia Tech researcher and his students are doing is improving campus sustainability, one pound of food waste at a time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2820\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDavid Hu\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, gave his senior-level biology class this semester a unique assignment: Feed food waste to black soldier fly larvae, collect the organic byproduct (called \u201cfrass\u201d), and analyze the results. What they\u2019ve found so far is a composting method with the potential to dramatically reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while producing a nutrient-dense fertilizer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s something special about these grubs,\u201d said Hu, who is also a faculty member within the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioresearch.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThey smell, and they\u2019re kind of ugly, but they process food extremely efficiently. When we feed them, they eat twice their body weight, finish that in five hours, and you can do it again the next day. Traditional composting could never be that fast.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing a unique closed-loop system pioneered by private-industry partner and early-stage startup \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biotechnicausa.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBiotechnica\u003C\/a\u003E, the larvae eat their way through more than 300 pounds of food in one semester, creating valuable frass that students harvest. When the larvae mature into adults, they fly into a shared chamber to reproduce, make more grubs, and start the process over again.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou can get a turnaround from food waste to frass in a day or two, and then from the raw frass to our ground-up frass that we use for our plants,\u201d said Mikkelle Peters, a fourth-year biology major in Hu\u2019s class. \u201cIt\u2019s just a much quicker process to get rid of the food waste.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFeeding and studying an army of larvae that can eat more than 10 gallons of food a day keeps Hu\u2019s students busy. The solution? Divide and conquer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first group in the process gathers and grinds food scraps to feed the grubs, then collects the frass they produce. The next group mixes the frass with soil and analyzes its chemical makeup, comparing its nutrient density to commercial fertilizers. A third group uses the fertilized soil to grow vegetables like arugula and radishes that are measured against plants grown using synthetic fertilizer. The final two groups observe the environmental conditions that affect productivity and analyze the grubs\u2019 digestion to uncover the secrets to their success.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore testing will need to be done on outdoor farms to provide rigorous results. Data over the past few semesters were, at times, inconsistent. But the students\u2019 projects reveal a lot of promise for future experiments. Despite limitations to the study, including a small sample size and minor instrument malfunction, the students have been able to find helpful nutrients in their product and grow certain crops more successfully with frass than with commercial fertilizer. Unlike chemically based products or some traditional composts that need to be specially treated, black soldier fly frass is organic and easily processed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA lot of fertilizers can cause harmful runoff, and they can change soil balances over time,\u201d Peters said. \u201cFrass is a natural product, has more fibrous material, and has a lot more organic compounds.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to the science that the students are exposed to, Hu said it is also eye-opening for them to see the work of sustainability. The project is an excellent case study for how a small group can make a big impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe students have learned a lot,\u201d Hu said. \u201cFor one of the activities, we had them bring in their own food waste from home to feed the composter. They realized that a person makes pounds of waste per day.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOffice of Sustainability\u003C\/a\u003E, the campus produces about 400 tons of food waste per year. Although Georgia Tech boasts \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/11\/07\/new-composter-enhance-campus-waste-reduction\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eone of the largest commercial composters\u003C\/a\u003E on an urban campus in the Southeast, the machine can only process 175 tons per year. That leaves a gap that Hu said his research might one day be able to fill.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRight now, it\u2019s working,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to expand and see if it can work some more. The big issue is visibility, getting people to know that what we\u2019re doing is good. Because in some ways, saving the planet takes energy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the main energy sources for the experimental composter is something Hu hopes to reduce: manpower. With a campus the size of Georgia Tech\u2019s, it\u2019s a very labor-intensive process for students to collect food waste from campus partners. Hu hopes that more community members will volunteer, not only to collect food, but also to improve the system.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe need people power \u2014 people willing to volunteer to move, because right now, campus produces a lot of waste in different places,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we also need biologists and engineers and computer scientists. We need people to make this system more well-engineered.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the current black soldier fly composter still has some flaws, Hu said his goal is to create an affordable, climate-friendly food waste recycling system that can scale up to support U.S. agriculture. By solving problems at the local level, his research is potentially removing economic and operational barriers to sustainability. But, according to Hu, the final step to long-term success is community involvement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn the end, we need people who care,\u201d Hu said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t take that much effort to do a little bit, and a little bit can go a long way.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech researcher and his students are using experimental composting to reduce campus food waste and support agriculture. Using a unique closed-loop system, black soldier fly larvae eat their way through more than 300 pounds of food in one semester, creating valuable frass that students harvest. What they\u2019ve found so far is a composting method with the potential to dramatically reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while producing a nutrient-dense fertilizer. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech researcher and his students are using experimental composting to reduce campus food waste and support agriculture. "}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-17 19:22:36","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 17:41:53","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679998":{"id":"679998","type":"image","title":"web_0000_BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776688432","gmt_created":"2026-04-20 12:33:52","changed":"1776688432","gmt_changed":"2026-04-20 12:33:52","alt":"A male researcher opens the top of a blue barrel that is part of a composting system inside a greenhouse","file":{"fid":"264230","name":"web_0000_BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/20\/web_0000_BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/20\/web_0000_BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":232961,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/20\/web_0000_BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg?itok=HEj6TZyg"}}},"media_ids":["679998"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"166882","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"14545","name":"George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"168693","name":"campus sustainability"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689932":{"#nid":"689932","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Vision AI Models Improve Decision Making in Manufacturing, Energy, and Finance","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGenerative artificial intelligence (AI) is best known for creating images and text. Now, it is helping industries make better planning decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have created a new AI model for decision-focused learning (DFL), called Diffusion-DFL. Recent tests showed it makes more accurate decisions than current approaches.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with optimizing industrial output, Diffusion-DFL lowers costs and reduces risk. Experiments also showed it performs across different fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2510.11590\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiffusion-DFL\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E doesn\u2019t just surpass current methods; it also predicts more accurately as problem sizes grow. The model requires less computing power despite these high-performance marks, making it more accessible to smaller enterprises.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiffusion-DFL runs on diffusion models, the same technology that powers DALL-E and other AI image generators. It is the first DFL framework based on diffusion models.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAnyone who makes high-stakes decisions under uncertainty, including supply chain managers, energy operators, and financial planners, benefits from Diffusion-DFL,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.zihaozhao.site\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZihao Zhao\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a Georgia Tech Ph.D. student who led the project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cInstead of optimizing around a single forecast, the model evaluates many possible scenarios, so decisions account for real-world risk and become more robust.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/iclr-2026\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERelated: GT @ ICLR 2026\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo test Diffusion-DFL, the team ran experiments based on real-world settings, including:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFactory manufacturing to meet product demand\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPower grid scheduling to meet energy demand\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStock market portfolio optimization\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn each case, Diffusion-DFL made more accurate decisions than current methods. It also performed better as problems became larger and more complex. These results confirm the model\u2019s ability to make important decisions in real-world scenarios with noisy data and uncertainty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe experiments also show that Diffusion-DFL is practical, not just accurate. Training diffusion models is expensive, so the team developed a way to reduce memory use. This cut training costs by more than 99.7%. As a result, Diffusion-DFL can reach more researchers and practitioners.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur score-function estimator cuts GPU memory from over 60 gigabytes to 0.13 with almost no loss in decision quality, reducing the requirement for massive computing resources,\u201d Zhao said. \u201cI hope this expands Diffusion-DFL into other domains, like healthcare, where decisions must be made quickly under complex uncertainty.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond decision-making applications, Diffusion-DFL marks a shift in DFL techniques and in the broader use of generative AI models.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn supply chain management, planners estimate future demand before deciding how much product to stock. In this DFL problem, engineers align ML models with predetermined decision objectives, like minimizing risk or reducing costs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne flaw of DFL methods is that they optimize around a single, deterministic prediction in an uncertain future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiffusion-DFL takes a different approach. Instead of making a single guess, it determines a range of possible outcomes. This leads to decisions based on many likely scenarios, rather than on a single assumed future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo do this, the framework uses diffusion models. These generative AI models create high-quality data from images, text, and audio.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe forward diffusion process involves adding noise to data until it becomes pure noise. Models trained via forward diffusion can reverse diffusion. This means they can start with noisy data and then produce meaningful insights from training examples.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReal-world data is often noisy and uncertain. Traditional DFL methods struggle in these conditions, but diffusion models are designed to handle them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause of this, Diffusion-DFL can explore many possible outcomes and choose better actions. Like image-generation AI, the model works well with complex data from different sources. This enables its use across different industries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDiffusion models have achieved significant success in generative AI and image synthesis, but our work shows their potential extends far beyond that,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/guaguakai.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKai Wang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (CSE).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat makes Diffusion-DFL unique is that the specific downstream application guides how the model learns to handle uncertainty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhether we are scheduling energy for power grids, balancing risk in financial portfolios, or developing early warning systems in healthcare, we can explicitly train these highly expressive models to navigate the unique complexities of each domain.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZhao and Wang collaborated with Caltech Ph.D. candidate\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chrisyeh96.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristopher Yeh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and Harvard University postdoctoral fellow\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/alumnus-uses-ai-counter-african-poaching-improve-maternal-healthcare-access\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELingkai Kong\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E on Diffusion-DFL. Kong earned his Ph.D. in CSE from Georgia Tech in 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang will present Diffusion-DFL on behalf of the group at the upcoming International Conference on Learning Representations (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iclr.cc\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EICLR 2026\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E). Occurring April 23-27 in Rio de Janeiro, ICLR is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious conferences dedicated to artificial intelligence research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cICLR is the perfect stage for Diffusion-DFL because it brings together the exact community that needs to see the bridge between generative modeling and high-stakes decision-making for real-world applications,\u201d Wang said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPresenting Diffusion-DFL allows us to challenge the traditional training framework of diffusion models. It\u2019s about sparking a broader conversation on how we can align the training objectives of generative AI directly with actual, downstream decision-making needs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGenerative artificial intelligence (AI) is best known for creating images and text. Now, it is helping industries make better planning decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have created a new AI model for decision-focused learning (DFL), called Diffusion-DFL. Recent tests showed it makes more accurate decisions than current approaches.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with optimizing industrial output, Diffusion-DFL lowers costs and reduces risk. Experiments also showed it performs across different fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2510.11590\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiffusion-DFL\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E doesn\u2019t just surpass current methods; it also predicts more accurately as problem sizes grow. The model requires less computing power despite these high-performance marks, making it more accessible to smaller enterprises.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiffusion-DFL runs on diffusion models, the same technology that powers DALL-E and other AI image generators. It is the first DFL framework based on diffusion models.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers have developed Diffusion-DFL, the first decision-focused learning model built on diffusion AI technology. It uses the same engineering behind image generators to help industries make more accurate, lower-cost planning decisions."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 17:35:24","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 17:40:39","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680015":{"id":"680015","type":"image","title":"Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776792936","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 17:35:36","changed":"1776792936","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 17:35:36","alt":"ICLR 2026 Diffusion-DFL","file":{"fid":"264248","name":"Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":117435,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/Diffusion-DFL-Head-Image.jpg?itok=2myOXxFR"}}},"media_ids":["680015"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/vision-ai-models-improve-decision-making-manufacturing-energy-and-finance","title":"Vision AI Models Improve Decision Making in Manufacturing, Energy, and Finance"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"181689","name":"Institute for Data Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"194384","name":"Tech AI"},{"id":"7850","name":"EVPR"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689913":{"#nid":"689913","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Paradox of Familiarity: Karthik Ramachandran Shows How Team Dynamics Shape Product Success","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPioneering development teams behind innovative products like the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer and SpaceX\u2019s reusable Falcon 9 rocket rely on complex interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, designers, and project managers. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/ramachandran\/index.html?_gl=1*vdwq98*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQxMjI3NzYwOC4xNzc2Nzg3ODA5*_ga_8XJDVR2ZKP*czE3NzY3ODc4MDgkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzY3ODc4MTkkajQ5JGwwJGgyODY5NjQ4NDM.\u0022\u003EKarthik Ramachandran\u003C\/a\u003E, Dunn Family Professor of Operations Management, knows that breakthrough products often don\u2019t emerge from the solitary efforts of a lone genius. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a new research article, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3000522\u0022\u003EHelp or Hindrance? The Role of Familiarity in Product Development Teams,\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d Ramachandran and his co-authors \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sc.edu\/study\/colleges_schools\/moore\/directory\/tereyagoglu_necati.php\u0022\u003ENecati Tereyagoglu\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/muratunalphd\/\u0022\u003EMurat Unal\u003C\/a\u003E, show the crucial role familiarity plays in team dynamics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEvery creative organization deals with a fundamental tension,\u201d Ramachandran said. \u201cPeople love working with teammates they know well, but innovation often depends on fresh perspectives.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is a lot to be said about familiarity. Famously, it breeds contempt. Previous studies have shown that repeat collaboration helps teams execute smoothly. But smooth operations don\u2019t always translate to commercial success. Ramachandran\u2019s research shows that it can breed a different kind of trouble \u2014 an environment free from friction, debate, and novelty. Those conditions may be comfortable, but they don\u2019t help creativity thrive. Video game development, it turns out, provides the perfect setting for productive tension.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cVideo games require both bold creative ideas and flawless execution,\u201d Ramachandran shared. \u201cThey blend art, engineering, storytelling, and software into a single product. We were curious about how familiarity impacts team dynamics within this industry. When does it help and when does it quietly get in the way?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/when-familiarity-hurts-innovation-karthik-ramachandran.html?_gl=1*grzkgs*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQxMjI3NzYwOC4xNzc2Nzg3ODA5*_ga_8XJDVR2ZKP*czE3NzY3ODc4MDgkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzY3ODc4MTMkajU1JGwwJGgyODY5NjQ4NDM.\u0022\u003ERead More\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKarthik Ramachandran, Dunn Family Professor of Operations Management, offers a smarter way to design product development teams, showing that familiarity can either fuel flawless execution or quietly stifle creativity.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Karthik Ramachandran, Dunn Family Professor of Operations Management, offers a smarter way to design product development teams"}],"uid":"36730","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 16:16:46","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 16:24:51","author":"klowe36","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680013":{"id":"680013","type":"image","title":"Karthik Ramachandran","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKarthik Ramachandran, Dunn Family Professor, Operations Management\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776787973","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 16:12:53","changed":"1776788107","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 16:15:07","alt":"Karthik Ramachandran smiles in a navy suit coat","file":{"fid":"264246","name":"karthik-ramachandran.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/karthik-ramachandran.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/karthik-ramachandran.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":313116,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/karthik-ramachandran.jpg?itok=tjle4QaL"}}},"media_ids":["680013"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/when-familiarity-hurts-innovation-karthik-ramachandran.html?_gl=1*grzkgs*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQxMjI3NzYwOC4xNzc2Nzg3ODA5*_ga_8XJDVR2ZKP*czE3NzY3ODc4MDgkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzY3ODc4MTMkajU1JGwwJGgyODY5NjQ4NDM.","title":"Read More"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"176908","name":"Operations Managment"},{"id":"43101","name":"Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business"},{"id":"182247","name":"team dynamics"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["kristin.lowe@scheller.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689826":{"#nid":"689826","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Ride Out in Style Program Gives Graduates a Bucket List Opportunity","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor many Georgia Tech students, a ride in the Ramblin\u2019 Wreck is a bucket-list item before graduation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETech\u2019s mechanical mascot, a 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe, has been a fixture on campus and in the hearts of Yellow Jackets alike since 1961, and with the Ramblin\u2019 Reck Club\u2019s Ride Out in Style program, more students will have an opportunity to cruise through campus in the iconic car before Commencement.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe club, which is charged with maintaining the vehicle and sharing its history with the Tech community, will facilitate the program. Through a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/m.signupgenius.com\/#!\/showSignUp\/10C054CA5AB2DA7FFC43-63507542-ride?useFullSite=false\u0026amp;utm_source=ig\u0026amp;utm_medium=social\u0026amp;utm_content=link_in_bio\u0026amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn0nlyNWkCAhh-4tv2Hca0h2m4KvmwurOC40XjEaOCRkAxZStGNdYDP90f4IQ_aem_YNvBlrG-kNa8228FFL2rzQ\u0022\u003ESign-Up Genius form\u003C\/a\u003E, graduating students get an exclusive chance to ride through campus, cruising from the Reck Garage to the Campus Recreation Center before swinging by another staple of campus, Tech Tower.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESof Zambrano Molina, the current student driver, is behind the wheel wearing a silver heart-shaped locket with a photo of the vehicle inside. She relishes her role in turning a student\u2019s wish into reality. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s always been said by drivers that the Wreck is owned by the student body, and we\u2019re just the ones who get the car from point A to point B,\u201d Molina said. \u201cSince the Wreck is a symbol of Georgia Tech, students deserve the chance to be able to interact with it in that way.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Ride Out in Style, this semester also saw the launch of the new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/calendly.com\/driver-reckclub\/30min?utm_source=ig\u0026amp;utm_medium=social\u0026amp;utm_content=link_in_bio\u0026amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnYUWCK9f-AHCUmV_EyRiy9TzOo5plQfAw9wAPvCZ_08To0SHsjcBWzw7_6b4_aem_DfdixjQ9HPpVzfCBCLoz-Q\u0026amp;utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3_a1dennhasi4aag\u0026amp;month=2026-04\u0022\u003EBucket List Ride program\u003C\/a\u003E. Before Ride Out in Style begins toward the semester\u2019s end, bucket list rides are open to all students, staff, and faculty members \u2014 along with up to two of their friends \u2014 and give the community a chance to take a ride and learn more about the car. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI think interacting with the Wreck should be a formative part of every Tech student\u0027s journey,\u201d Molina said. \u201cFrom my experience \u2014 from watching people inside the car and seeing how happy they are, or even just seeing how happy students are whenever you drive past them \u2014 it\u0027s like the car inherently spreads joy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor some, seeing the car on campus is the memory they hold onto, Molina says, but for others, it\u2019s a sound they\u2019ll never forget. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI had someone ask me today, \u2018Hey, can I blow the horn?\u2019 and she was so\u003Cem\u003E \u003C\/em\u003Eexcited. And that\u2019s the part a lot of people recognize,\u201d she said. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs Commencement nears, for any students who find a Wreck-shaped hole in their heart, don\u2019t miss your chance to cross this ride off your Georgia Tech bucket list. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The Ramblin\u2019 Reck Club is helping graduating students cross a ride in the Wreck off their Georgia Tech bucket list before Commencement."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003ERamblin\u2019 Reck Club is helping graduating students cross a ride in the Wreck off their Georgia Tech bucket list before Commencement.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Ramblin\u2019 Reck Club is helping graduating students cross a ride in the Wreck off their Georgia Tech bucket list before Commencement."}],"uid":"36837","created_gmt":"2026-04-17 14:43:03","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 15:01:55","author":"ejenkins47","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680011":{"id":"680011","type":"image","title":"Ramblin\u0027 Wreck","body":null,"created":"1776782674","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 14:44:34","changed":"1776782674","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 14:44:34","alt":"Ramblin\u0027 Wreck","file":{"fid":"264244","name":"22C10400-P3-037.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/22C10400-P3-037.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/22C10400-P3-037.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3798408,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/22C10400-P3-037.JPG?itok=k4Rtvhhy"}}},"media_ids":["680011"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ramblinreckclub\/","title":"Ramblin\u0027 Reck Club"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"6984","name":"Ramblin Wreck"},{"id":"14136","name":"ramblin reck club"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:stucomm@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EEllie Jenkins\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689911":{"#nid":"689911","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Arboretum Earns ArbNet Recertification","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Georgia Tech, the campus arboretum is more than a designated area of trees. It is the entire campus. Walkways, quads, greens, and streetscapes are all part of a curated landscape carefully selected to thrive in an urban environment. It is also a place where memories are made, from everyday gatherings under the canopy to photos that capture an important milestone. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt would be great if the trees could talk, if our arboretum could tell stories,\u201d Georgia Tech landscape architect Jason Gregory says. With trees on campus that are more than 100 years old, those stories could be history lessons about the Institute.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/facilities.gatech.edu\/arboretum\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecampus arboretum\u003C\/a\u003E was recently recertified by ArbNet, the global network of tree professionals and tree collections organized for knowledge sharing, resources, and conservation. With more than 15,000 trees and over 130 species across campus \u2014 including two palm trees \u2014 the arboretum supports research, education, and preservation and provides public enjoyment. Environmental benefits include reducing heat, managing stormwater, improving air quality, increasing soil porosity, sequestering carbon, and supporting campus wildlife. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s designation as a Level II Arboretum reflects its commitment to biodiversity and documenting its tree species, offering advanced educational and public programs, and maintaining policies for the inventory and care of its trees. This year marks a decade since Georgia Tech first earned arboretum certification.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2023, Tech also received the Professional Grounds Management Society\u2019s Green Star Grand Award with a 23% campus tree canopy. Today, nearly 30% of the campus is covered by tree canopy, creating a greener, cooler, and more welcoming environment while underscoring the Institute\u2019s commitment to responsible landscape stewardship.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe have an interactive map online that allows users to explore the genus, species, height, and diameter of every tree on campus. The inventory process is a five-year cycle in which one zone of campus is inventoried each year,\u201d says Annabelle Manville, a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/job-opportunities\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELiving Campus Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E for the Office of Sustainability. Gregory says the inventory data helps inform campus planning and support sustainability goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs Georgia Tech looks to the future, the campus arboretum will serve as both a living laboratory and a shared campus treasure that connects people to place, past to present, and sustainability to daily life. Through thoughtful stewardship, ongoing research, and intentional care, the Institute\u2019s trees will continue to shape the campus environment and the experiences of those who study, work, and gather beneath their canopy. Each tree adds another chapter to Georgia Tech\u2019s story \u2014 one rooted in history, resilience, and a long-term commitment to a greener campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe entire Georgia Tech campus is a certified arboretum.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The entire Georgia Tech campus is a certified arboretum."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 14:20:34","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 14:52:24","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680010":{"id":"680010","type":"image","title":"GT-Arboretum--1-.png","body":null,"created":"1776781604","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 14:26:44","changed":"1776781604","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 14:26:44","alt":"Image of thriving, green Tech campus.","file":{"fid":"264243","name":"GT-Arboretum--1-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/GT-Arboretum--1-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/GT-Arboretum--1-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2148736,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/GT-Arboretum--1-.png?itok=mvCO32-Q"}},"680012":{"id":"680012","type":"image","title":"TechCampusTreesAtlantaSkyline.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETech Green surrounded by trees with the Midtown skyline in the background.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776782995","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 14:49:55","changed":"1776782995","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 14:49:55","alt":"Tech Green surrounded by trees with the Midtown skyline in the background.","file":{"fid":"264245","name":"TechCampusTreesAtlantaSkyline.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/TechCampusTreesAtlantaSkyline.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/TechCampusTreesAtlantaSkyline.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":519075,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/TechCampusTreesAtlantaSkyline.jpg?itok=1c5ZcWii"}}},"media_ids":["680010","680012"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193728","name":"I\u0026S News"},{"id":"129761","name":"arboretum"},{"id":"8758","name":"tree canopy"},{"id":"192081","name":"office of sustainability"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EElena Domenech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInfrastructure and Sustainability\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Student Assistant\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECatherine Brim\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Edomenech6@gatech.edu","cathy.brim@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689835":{"#nid":"689835","#data":{"type":"news","title":"AI is Reengineering Drug Discovery by Speeding Up Testing and Scanning Petabytes of Data for Connections Between\u00a0Diseases","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIn December, The Conversation hosted a webinar on AI\u2019s revolutionary role in drug discovery and development.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EScience and technology editor \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/eric-smalley-944964\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EEric Smalley\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E interviewed \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/jeffrey-skolnick\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EJeffrey Skolnick\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, eminent scholar in computational systems biology at Georgia Institute of Technology, and \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/pharmacology\/person\/ben-brown\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBenjamin P. Brown\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, assistant professor of pharmacology at Vanderbilt University.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESkolnick has developed AI-based approaches to predict protein structure and function that may help with drug discovery and finding off-label uses of existing drugs. Brown\u2019s lab works on creating new computer models that make drug discovery faster and more reliable. Below is a condensed and edited version of the interview.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELet\u2019s start with the big picture. How is AI changing biomedical research and drug discovery, and what is the potential we are talking about?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESkolnick:\u003C\/strong\u003E The upside, potentially, is very large. One of the frustrating things about drug discovery is that, in spite of the fact that the people doing it are extraordinarily intelligent and have done an extraordinarily good job, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.apsb.2022.02.002\u0022\u003Ethe success rate is very low\u003C\/a\u003E. About \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.apsb.2022.02.002\u0022\u003E1 in 5\u003C\/a\u003E drugs will have negative health effects that outweigh its benefits. Of the ones that pass, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.apsb.2022.02.002\u0022\u003Eroughly half don\u2019t work\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn drug development, there are several key issues: Can you predict which target is driving a particular disease? Once this target is identified, how can you guarantee the drug is going to work and isn\u2019t simultaneously going to kill you?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are outstanding problems in drug discovery in which AI can play an important, though not 100% guaranteed, role. Unlike us, AI can look at basically \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/nsr\/article\/12\/5\/nwaf050\/8029900\u0022\u003Eall available knowledge\u003C\/a\u003E. On a good day it makes strong and true connections called \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/bs.adcom.2023.02.001\u0022\u003Einsights\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d and on a bad day it does what is called \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-are-ai-hallucinations-why-ais-sometimes-make-things-up-242896\u0022\u003Ehallucinating\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d and sees things that are weak and probably false.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lHC_9x3IXZ0?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EEric Smalley interviews Jeffrey Skolnick and Benjamin P. Brown.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the end of the day, many diseases do not have a cure. Most diseases are maintained, such as high cholesterol or autoimmune conditions. A treatment for cancer might buy you five years, and now you\u2019re in Stage 4 and you\u2019ve exhausted all the standard care drugs. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ph16060891\u0022\u003EAI can play a role\u003C\/a\u003E to suggest alternatives where there are none.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELet\u2019s give some basic definitions here. When we use the word drug, we\u2019re talking about a wide range of therapies. Can you explain the range \u2013 we\u2019ve got small molecule drugs, biologics, gene therapies, cell therapies.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrown:\u003C\/strong\u003E We have fairly large molecules in our bodies called proteins. They are like machines that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK26911\/\u0022\u003Ecarry out specific functions\u003C\/a\u003E and interact with one another. Oftentimes, when we\u2019re trying to treat disease, we\u2019re trying to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/mco2.261\u0022\u003Ealter functions of specific proteins\u003C\/a\u003E. Many drugs, like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0049-3848(03)00379-7\u0022\u003Easpirin\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1086\/317517\u0022\u003ETylenol\u003C\/a\u003E, are small molecules that can fit into a protein and change its function. Fundamentally, drugs don\u2019t have to just interact with proteins, but this is a major way in which our current repertoire of medications work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are also proteins that act like drugs, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/imr.13387\u0022\u003Eantibodies\u003C\/a\u003E. When you receive a vaccine for a virus, your body is basically given \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/B978-0-12-802174-3.00002-3\u0022\u003Einstructions on how to develop antibodies\u003C\/a\u003E. These antibodies will target some part of that virus. Your body is creating these big molecules, much bigger than aspirin, to go and interact with foreign proteins in a different way. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1590\/S1679-45082017RB4024\u0022\u003EGene therapy\u003C\/a\u003E is a larger step beyond that.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo these modalities \u2013 molecule, protein, antibody or gene \u2013 are very different types of molecules. They have different scales and rules, so the way you approach designing and discovering them various widely.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECan you briefly explain artificial neural networks, and what the \u201cdeep\u201d in deep learning means?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESkolnick:\u003C\/strong\u003E AlphaFold, developed by DeepMind, involved understanding how neural networks worked. They built a network with a lot of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/diagnostics13152582\u0022\u003Einputs, which are stimuli, and outputs with different weights\u003C\/a\u003E, similar to how your brain actually works. These simple connections, or neurons, have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-is-reinforcement-learning-an-ai-researcher-explains-a-key-method-of-teaching-machines-and-how-it-relates-to-training-your-dog-251887\u0022\u003Ereinforcement learning\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey also created sophisticated neural networks, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.2219150120\u0022\u003Etransformers, which do specific things\u003C\/a\u003E like a special-purpose tool that can learn, and they added a mechanism called \u201cattention,\u201d which \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.inffus.2024.102417\u0022\u003Eamplifies critical details\u003C\/a\u003E. Super neural networks with transformers is what we call deep learning. These now have literally billions, if not trillions, of parameters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEssentially, these machines \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.52202\/079017-2495\u0022\u003Ecan learn higher order correlations between events\u003C\/a\u003E, meaning the patterns of conditional interactions that depend on the properties of multiple things simultaneously. In these higher order correlations, AI has the potential to see previously unknown things that are embedded in petabytes (a unit of data equivalent to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eecis.udel.edu\/%7Eamer\/Table-Kilo-Mega-Giga---YottaBytes.html\u0022\u003Ehalf of the contents of all U.S. academic research libraries\u003C\/a\u003E of biological data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlphaFold, which \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/14789450.2025.2456046\u0022\u003Epredicts three-dimensional, bioactive forms of a protein\u003C\/a\u003E, has millions of sequences and a couple of hundred thousand structures. It can tell you, based on a particular pattern, what \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijms26146807\u0022\u003Esmall molecule to design\u003C\/a\u003E that sticks to a protein to induce some kind of structural shift.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow is this technology being used in biomedical research to understand molecular dynamics or, essentially, the biological processes involved in health and disease?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrown:\u003C\/strong\u003E In 2013, there was a Nobel Prize for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.str.2013.11.005\u0022\u003Emolecular dynamics simulations\u003C\/a\u003E, computational tools that help you understand the motions of molecules as they move according to physics. There\u2019s a huge body of scientific research built around those ideas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI and deep learning are large right now, but it\u2019s worth mentioning that for the last decade and a half, people have been \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nchembio.576\u0022\u003Eusing much smaller machine learning algorithms\u003C\/a\u003E to help design drugs. A lot of the ideas, such as [using machine learning for virtual screening], are not new and have been in practice for a while.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith AlphaFold\u2019s technologies to help people design proteins and predict their structure, we\u2019ve changed how we think about a lot of these problems. We have this \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.omtn.2024.102295\u0022\u003Enew repertoire of approaches\u003C\/a\u003E to build ideas around and to start thinking about drug discovery.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom 20 years ago to now, what has today\u2019s AI technology done in terms of scale of change in this process?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESkolnick:\u003C\/strong\u003E A lot of diseases, like cancers, are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15430\/JCP.2018.23.4.153\u0022\u003Ecaused by a collection of malfunctioning proteins\u003C\/a\u003E. AI now allows us to start to think conceptually about how these diseases are organized and related to each other.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiseases tend to co-occur. For example, if you have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fendo.2024.1354372\u0022\u003Ehyperthyroidism, you\u2019re very likely to develop Alzheimer\u2019s\u003C\/a\u003E. Kind of weird, right? We can look at pieces, but AI can look at all the information, integrate the collective behavior and then identify common drivers. This allows you to construct disease interrelationships which offer the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/adtp.202300332\u0022\u003Epossibility of broad spectrum treatments\u003C\/a\u003E that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/news-events\/nih-research-matters\/progress-toward-broad-spectrum-antiviral\u0022\u003Ecould treat whole collections of diseases\u003C\/a\u003E rather than narrow-spectrum treatments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERelatedly, AI also can help us \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/cpt.3153\u0022\u003Eunderstand disease trajectories\u003C\/a\u003E. Diseases that tend to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev-biodatasci-110123-041001\u0022\u003Eco-occur often present themselves consecutively\u003C\/a\u003E. You have disease 1, it gives you disease 2, then gives you disease 3. This suggests that if you go back to the root with disease 1, you may be able to stop a whole bunch of stuff. You can\u2019t analyze millions of trajectories and millions of data without a tool, so you couldn\u2019t do this before.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis holds a lot of promise, but one also must be careful not to overpromise. It will help, it will accelerate, but \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scienceopen.com\/hosted-document?doi=10.15212\/bioi-2025-0188\u0022\u003Eit is not a substitute yet for real experiments\u003C\/a\u003E, real clinical validation and trials.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/274693\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ai-is-reengineering-drug-discovery-by-speeding-up-testing-and-scanning-petabytes-of-data-for-connections-between-diseases-274693\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAI and machine learning provide new tools for scientists to think about drug discovery.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"AI and machine learning provide new tools for scientists to think about drug discovery."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-04-17 15:55:09","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 00:35:09","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679992":{"id":"679992","type":"image","title":" AI and machine learning provide new tools for scientists to think about drug discovery. gorodenkoff\/iStock via Getty Images ","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;AI and machine learning provide new tools for scientists to think about drug discovery. gorodenkoff\/iStock via Getty Images\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776442339","gmt_created":"2026-04-17 16:12:19","changed":"1776442339","gmt_changed":"2026-04-17 16:12:19","alt":" AI and machine learning provide new tools for scientists to think about drug discovery. gorodenkoff\/iStock via Getty Images ","file":{"fid":"264222","name":"file-20260129-62-3xayw4-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/file-20260129-62-3xayw4-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/file-20260129-62-3xayw4-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2111750,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/17\/file-20260129-62-3xayw4-copy.jpg?itok=h8utD5AH"}}},"media_ids":["679992"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ai-is-reengineering-drug-discovery-by-speeding-up-testing-and-scanning-petabytes-of-data-for-connections-between-diseases-274693","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/jeffrey-skolnick-2581183\u0022\u003EJeffrey Skolnick\u003C\/a\u003E, Regents\u0027 Professor; Mary and Maisie Gibson Chair, and GRA Eminent Scholar in Computational Systems Biology, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/benjamin-p-brown-2581181\u0022\u003EBenjamin P. Brown\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/vanderbilt-university-1293\u0022\u003EVanderbilt University\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689874":{"#nid":"689874","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Physics of Brain Development: How Cells Pull Together to Form the Neural Tube","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn about one out of every\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4023228\/#:~:text=Abstract,to%20disruption%20of%20secondary%20neurulation.\u0022\u003E1,000 pregnancies\u003C\/a\u003E, the neural tube, a key nervous system structure, \u0026nbsp;fails to close properly. Georgia Tech physicists are now helping explain why this happens, having uncovered the physics that drive neural tube closure in a pregnancy\u2019s earliest stages.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking with collaborators at University College London (UCL), Georgia Tech researchers used computer models to reveal how, during early development, forces generated by cells physically pull the neural tube closed \u2014 like a drawstring. This discovery offers new insight into a critical process that, when disrupted, can result in severe birth defects such as spina bifida.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnderstanding a complex developmental process like neural tube closure requires a highly interdisciplinary approach,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/shiladitya-banerjee\u0022\u003EShiladitya Banerjee\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cBy combining advanced biological imaging with theoretical physics, we were able to uncover the mechanical rules that drive cells to close the tube. My lab builds computational models to uncover the physical rules of living systems. The neural tube is an ideal focus because its formation requires incredible mechanical coordination.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers presented their findings in \u003Cem\u003ECurrent Biology.\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClosing the Gap\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe UCL team studied mouse embryos, which develop similarly to humans, and Georgia Tech researchers used that data to construct their models. From the data, they identified the fundamental physics mechanism that enables neural tube closure in part of the brain. This mechanism, called a \u201cpurse string,\u201d is made of actin, a pivotal protein that forms a cell\u2019s skeletal structure. As the purse strings tighten, the tube closes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese actin molecules are very important because they give rigidity and shape to cells,\u201d Banerjee said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDuring neural tube closure, actin filaments form a ring around the opening and engage molecular motors \u2014 proteins that generate forces inside cells,\u201d he said. \u201cAs these motors pull on the actin, they generate tension that tightens the ring and draws the tube closed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStretching to Fit\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the actin ring tightens, cells stretch and elongate, causing them to align and move together in a synchronized pattern, like a school of fish. This coordination allows the cells to move faster and more efficiently, increasing tension and driving a feedback loop that helps seal the neural tube.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team built a computer model to show how this feedback loop leads to successful neural tube formation. Further research using the model could help explain why the neural tube fails to close.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPhysics-based modeling of cell and tissue mechanics allows us to connect the dots between developmental stages in a way that is both robust and quantitative, simulating experiments that are impossible in biological tissues,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/profiles.ucl.ac.uk\/55207-gabriel-galea\u0022\u003EGabriel Galea\u003C\/a\u003E, the study co-author and UCL group leader. \u201cIn this case, it allowed us to explain how a cell\u2019s mechanical experience impacts its current and future shapes during a critical step of brain development.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond neural tube development, the findings highlight the power of physics-based modeling to explain complex biological processes that can\u2019t be observed directly. The researchers say this approach could be applied to other stages of human development where forces, motion, and timing are just as critical.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe computational research at Banerjee Lab is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFernanda P\u00e9rez-Verdugo, Eirini Maniou, Gabriel L. Galea, Shiladitya Banerjee, \u201cMechanosensitive feedback organizes cell shape and motion during hindbrain neuropore morphogenesis,\u201d \u003Cem\u003ECurrent Biology\u003C\/em\u003E, 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDOI:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cub.2026.02.068\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E10.1016\/j.cub.2026.02.068\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers demonstrated the mechanics behind neural tube closure, which can lead to severe or fatal birth defects if unsuccessful.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers demonstrated the mechanics behind neural tube closure, which can lead to severe or fatal birth defects if unsuccessful. "}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-04-20 15:25:08","changed_gmt":"2026-04-20 17:34:19","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679999":{"id":"679999","type":"image","title":"image--2-.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe neural tube\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776699155","gmt_created":"2026-04-20 15:32:35","changed":"1776699155","gmt_changed":"2026-04-20 15:32:35","alt":"The neural tube","file":{"fid":"264231","name":"image--2-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/20\/image--2-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/20\/image--2-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4218173,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/20\/image--2-.png?itok=dSBrAEK0"}}},"media_ids":["679999"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689352":{"#nid":"689352","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Develop First Genetic Passcode Lock to Protect Valuable DNA","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Homeland Security, and other authorities have flagged a record number of unauthorized shipments of biological materials. At the same time, global intelligence communities have identified numerous attempts to smuggle sensitive biological samples in efforts of industrial theft or espionage.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA small vial of genetically engineered cells can contain multiple millions of dollars\u2019 worth of intellectual property and require several years of work to develop,\u201d said Corey Wilson, a professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EChBE\u003C\/a\u003E). \u201cAccordingly, the protection of high-value engineered cell lines has become critically important to the biotechnology industry.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/wilson.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EWilson\u003C\/a\u003E and his research team have published their findings in \u003Cem\u003EScience Advances\u003C\/em\u003E demonstrating the effectiveness of their new biological security technology, known as GeneLock\u2122, in protecting high-value engineered cell lines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeneLock is a cybersecurity-inspired technology that protects valuable genetic material directly at the DNA level. To demonstrate its strength, Wilson\u2019s team conducted what they describe as a first-of-its-kind biohackathon, detailed in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.aeb8556\u0022\u003Enew paper\u003C\/a\u003E, to simulate unauthorized access.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeneLock greatly improves our ability to protect high-value engineered cell lines by expanding security from the lab environment to the genetic level,\u201d Wilson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEconomic Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat are the stakes? Estimates place the global market for high-value genetic materials at more than $1.5 trillion, projected to reach $8 trillion by 2035. The use of these materials ranges from advanced medicines and proprietary research enzymes to specialty chemicals and sustainable materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrently, the protection of high-value cell lines depends on physical safeguards such as restricted lab access and secure facilities, Wilson explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe key weakness of physical security measures is once circumvented, there are typically no measures in place to protect valuable cells from theft, abuse, or unauthorized use,\u201d Wilson said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOnce a sample leaves the building, the DNA it carries typically remains fully functional. This is like placing an unlocked cellphone in a desk drawer. Anyone who gains access to the drawer can view sensitive content on the phone\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u2014or in this case will have full access to the valuable cell line.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGenetic Passcode Protection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe GeneLock biological security technology developed by Wilson and his team places a passcode on engineered cells, akin to those used on ATM machines and protected cellphones.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstead of leaving a valuable gene in readable form, the team scrambles the DNA sequence of interest. The scrambled genetic asset remains in a nonfunctional state unless the living cell where it resides receives the correct sequence of chemical inputs. Those inputs act as a molecular passcode.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOnly the right combination, delivered in the right order, rearranges the DNA into a working form,\u201d Wilson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBiohackathon Security Test\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo evaluate the technology, the researchers organized a blue team and a red team in what they describe as an ethical biohackathon. The blue team designed the encrypted DNA sequence, while the red team was challenged to discover the correct chemical passcode through experimentation in a gray box exercise, meaning the red team had partial knowledge of the system but did not have access to the internal designs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis approach for testing security strength is commonly used in cybersecurity,\u201d Wilson explained.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe blue team engineered the system inside \u003Cem\u003EEscherichia coli\u003C\/em\u003E, or \u003Cem\u003EE. coli\u003C\/em\u003E, a bacterium widely used in biotechnology. The protected asset was a fluorescent protein gene selected as a measurable stand-in for commercially valuable targets. When the correct chemical sequence was applied, the fluorescence turned on. Without the correct passcode, the gene remained scrambled and the cells could not fluoresce green.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn practice, most DNA sequences produce valuable proteins or chemicals that are essentially invisible to the human eye, requiring specialized devices or experiments to observe,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cIf the biohackathon were conducted with a standard commercially valuable target, the penetration testing would have taken more than 10 times longer to complete, years instead of months.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe biohackathon results showed a dramatic reduction in risk. GeneLock reduced the probability of unlocking the genetic asset by random search to about 1 in 85,000 (a 0.001% chance), assuming the unauthorized user had access to the required chemical inputs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWithout access to those inputs, \u201cthe likelihood of success by chance becomes effectively negligible,\u201d said Dowan Kim (Georgia Tech PhD 2024), co-lead author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommercial Uses and What\u2019s Next\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the researchers used a non-commercial fluorescent protein as a test case, the implications extend much further. Many biotechnology companies rely on proprietary engineered strains. New England Biolabs, for example, produces more than 265 non-disclosed enzymes in E. coli, each representing a high-value cell line.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProtein-based drugs are also manufactured in living cells, and proprietary metabolic pathways are used to produce specialty chemicals, bioplastics, and high-value ingredients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn each case, the genetic blueprint inside the cell represents intellectual property that can be protected by our technology,\u201d said Ishita Kumar, a PhD candidate in ChBE and co-lead author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the team\u2019s current focus is on protecting intellectual property in the form of high-value cells, future iterations aim to strengthen biological security more broadly.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are currently developing protection measures to mitigate unauthorized use or release of sensitive cell lines that can be potentially hazardous to human health or the environment,\u201d Wilson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs it stands, GeneLock represents an important shift in biological security, enabling, for the first time, protection of valuable cells at the genetic level, even after physical security measures have been bypassed,\u201d he added.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe work is already moving toward commercialization. The team filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in February 2026 and is forming a company to deploy the technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis research was funded by a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/show-award\/?AWD_ID=2319231\u0022\u003Egrant\u003C\/a\u003E from the National Science Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDowan Kim, Ishita Kumar, Mohamed Hassan, Luisa F. Barraza-Vergara, Christopher A. Voigt, and Corey J. Wilson, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.aeb8556\u0022\u003EProtecting cells at the genetic level and simulating unauthorized access via a biohackathon\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d Science Advances, 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"New System Strengthens Security for the Biotech Industry"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeneLock is a cybersecurity-inspired technology that protects valuable genetic material directly at the DNA level. To demonstrate its strength, the rearches conducted what they describe as a first-of-its-kind biohackathon to simulate unauthorized access.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Research published in Science Advances demonstrated the effectiveness of this technology in protecting high-value engineered cell lines."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2026-04-01 17:57:53","changed_gmt":"2026-04-20 17:30:15","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679818":{"id":"679818","type":"image","title":"Wilsonresearchteam.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch team members Ishita Kumar,\u0026nbsp;Corey Wilson,\u0026nbsp;and Luisa F. Barraza-Vergara\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775066280","gmt_created":"2026-04-01 17:58:00","changed":"1775066280","gmt_changed":"2026-04-01 17:58:00","alt":"Research team members Ishita Kumar, Corey Wilson, and Luisa F. Barraza-Vergara","file":{"fid":"264022","name":"Wilsonresearchteam.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/Wilsonresearchteam.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/Wilsonresearchteam.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2729628,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/01\/Wilsonresearchteam.jpg?itok=uDoLEes8"}},"679819":{"id":"679819","type":"image","title":"biohackathon.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETo evaluate the GeneLock technology, the researchers organized a blue team and a red team into a biohackathon.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775066327","gmt_created":"2026-04-01 17:58:47","changed":"1775066327","gmt_changed":"2026-04-01 17:58:47","alt":"To evaluate the GeneLock technology, the researchers organized a blue team and a red team into a biohackathon.","file":{"fid":"264023","name":"biohackathon.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/biohackathon.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/biohackathon.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":91942,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/01\/biohackathon.jpg?itok=PdOgnWMg"}}},"media_ids":["679818","679819"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"175579","name":"biotech industry"},{"id":"3031","name":"genetic"},{"id":"1041","name":"dna"},{"id":"175113","name":"biosecurity"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrad Dixon, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:braddixon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689895":{"#nid":"689895","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Batteries Not Included, or Required, for These Smart Home Sensors","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMost smart home devices require power one way or another. You have to plug them in, recharge them, or replace their batteries at some point.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers think they have a better way with small metal tags that can signal when a door or drawer is opened, count reps in the gym, or even track bathroom use for elderly relatives. Their tags are battery-free, quiet, inherently private, and cost only a few cents each. They\u2019re smaller than a penny.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike other kinds of smart home sensors, the tags are designed to be mounted on a cabinet or doorframe, for example, using a 3D-printed base. A small tab is attached to the corresponding door or drawer. When it\u2019s opened, the tab strikes the metal disk, triggering a brief ultrasonic pulse imperceptible to human ears but detectable by a wearable device that logs the activity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/batteries-not-included-or-required-these-smart-home-sensors\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead the full story on the College of Engineering website.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEngineering and computing researchers create simple metal tags with unique ultrasonic fingerprints to detect door openings and other movements.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Engineering and computing researchers create simple metal tags with unique ultrasonic fingerprints to detect door openings and other movements."}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2026-04-20 17:02:57","changed_gmt":"2026-04-20 17:04:58","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680001":{"id":"680001","type":"image","title":"SoundOff-smart-home-tags-with-penny-t.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776704592","gmt_created":"2026-04-20 17:03:12","changed":"1776704592","gmt_changed":"2026-04-20 17:03:12","alt":"A group of 15 round metal tags of various shapes and a penny to show the tags are smaller.","file":{"fid":"264234","name":"SoundOff-smart-home-tags-with-penny-t.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/20\/SoundOff-smart-home-tags-with-penny-t.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/20\/SoundOff-smart-home-tags-with-penny-t.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":308230,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/20\/SoundOff-smart-home-tags-with-penny-t.jpg?itok=NmFY0OCz"}}},"media_ids":["680001"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jstewart@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJoshua Stewart\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jstewart@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689263":{"#nid":"689263","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Transformer Explainer Shows How AI is More Math than Human","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile people use search engines, chatbots, and generative artificial intelligence tools every day, most don\u2019t know how they work. This sets unrealistic expectations for AI and leads to misuse. It also slows progress toward building new AI applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers are making AI easier to understand through their work on Transformer Explainer. The free, online tool shows non-experts how ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models (LLMs) process language.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/transformer-explainer\/\u0022\u003ETransformer Explainer\u003C\/a\u003E is easy to use and runs on any web browser. It quickly went viral after its debut, reaching 150,000 users in its first three months. More than 563,000 people worldwide have used the tool so far.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGlobal interest in Transformer Explainer continues when the team presents the tool at the 2026 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chi2026.acm.org\/\u0022\u003ECHI 2026\u003C\/a\u003E). CHI, the world\u2019s most prestigious conference on human-computer interaction, will take place in Barcelona, April 13-17.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/chi-2026\/\u0022\u003ERelated: GT @ CHI 2026\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere are moments when LLMs can seem almost like a person with their own will and personality, and that misperception has real consequences. For example, there have been cases where teenagers have made poor decisions based on conversations with LLMs,\u201d said Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aereeeee.github.io\/\u0022\u003EAeree Cho\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnderstanding that an LLM is fundamentally a model that predicts the probability distribution of the next token helps users avoid taking its outputs as absolute. What you put in shapes what comes out, and that understanding helps people engage with AI more carefully and critically.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA transformer is a neural network architecture that changes data input sequence into an output. Text, audio, and images are forms of processed data, which is why transformers are common in generative AI models. They do this by learning context and tracking mathematical relationships between sequence components.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETransformer Explainer demystifies how transformers work. The platform uses visualization and interaction to show, step by step, how text flows through a model and produces predictions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing this approach, Transformer Explainer impacts the AI landscape in four main ways:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt counters hype and misconceptions surrounding AI by showing how transformers work.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt improves AI literacy among users by removing technical barriers and lowering the entry for learning about AI.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt expands AI education by helping instructors teach AI mechanisms without extensive setup or computing resources.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt influences future development of AI tools and educational techniques by providing a blueprint for interpretable AI systems.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen I first learned about transformers, I felt overwhelmed. A transformer model has many parts, each with its own complex math. Existing resources typically present all this information at once, making it difficult to see how everything fits together,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gracekimcy.github.io\/\u0022\u003EGrace Kim\u003C\/a\u003E, a dual B.S.\/M.S. computer science student.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy leveraging interactive visualization, we use levels of abstraction to first show the big picture of the entire model. Then users click into individual parts to reveal the underlying details and math. This way, Transformer Explainer makes learning far less intimidating.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany users don\u2019t know what transformers are or how they work. The Georgia Tech team found that people often misunderstand AI. Some label AI with human-like characteristics, such as creativity. Others even describe it as working like magic.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFurthermore, barriers make it hard for students interested in transformers to start learning. Tutorials tend to be too technical and overwhelm beginners with math and code. While visualization tools exist, these often target more advanced AI experts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETransformer Explainer overcomes these obstacles through its interactive, user-focused platform. It runs a familiar GPT model directly in any web browser, requiring no installation or special hardware.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsers can enter their own text and watch the model predict the next word in real time. Sankey-style diagrams show how information moves through embeddings, attention heads, and transformer blocks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe platform also lets users switch between high-level concepts and detailed math. By adjusting temperature settings, users can see how randomness affects predictions. This reveals how probabilities drive AI outputs, rather than creativity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMillions of people around the world interact with transformer-driven AI. We believe that it is crucial to bridge the gap between day-to-day user experience and the models\u0027 technical reality, ensuring these tools are not misinterpreted as human-like or seen as sentient,\u201d said Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.alexkarpekov.com\/\u0022\u003EAlex Karpekov\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cExplaining the architecture helps users recognize that language generated by models is a product of computation, leading to a more grounded engagement with the technology.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECho, Karpekov, and Kim led the development of Transformer Explainer. Ph.D. students\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/alechelbling.com\/\u0022\u003EAlec Helbling\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/seongmin.xyz\/\u0022\u003ESeongmin Lee\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bhoov.com\/\u0022\u003EBen Hoover\u003C\/a\u003E, and alumni\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/zijie.wang\/\u0022\u003EZijie (Jay) Wang\u003C\/a\u003E (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/minsuk.com\/\u0022\u003EMinsuk Kahng\u003C\/a\u003E (Ph.D. CS-CSE 2019) assisted on the project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/polochau\/\u0022\u003EPolo Chau\u003C\/a\u003E supervised the group and their work. His lab focuses on data science, human-centered AI, and visualization for social good.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcceptance at CHI 2026 stems from the team winning the best poster award at the 2024 IEEE Visualization Conference. This recognition from one of the top venues in visualization research highlights Transformer Explainer\u2019s effectiveness in teaching how transformers work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTransformer Explainer has reached over half a million learners worldwide,\u201d said Chau, a faculty member in the School of Computational Science and Engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0027m thrilled to see it extend Georgia Tech\u0027s mission of expanding access to higher education, now to anyone with a web browser.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile people use search engines, chatbots, and generative artificial intelligence tools every day, most don\u2019t know how they work. This sets unrealistic expectations for AI and leads to misuse. It also slows progress toward building new AI applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers are making AI easier to understand through their work on Transformer Explainer. The free, online tool shows non-experts how ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models (LLMs) process language.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/transformer-explainer\/\u0022\u003ETransformer Explainer\u003C\/a\u003E is easy to use and runs on any web browser. It quickly went viral after its debut, reaching 150,000 users in its first three months. More than 563,000 people worldwide have used the tool so far.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGlobal interest in Transformer Explainer continues when the team presents the tool at the 2026 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chi2026.acm.org\/\u0022\u003ECHI 2026\u003C\/a\u003E). CHI, the world\u2019s most prestigious conference on human-computer interaction, will take place in Barcelona, April 13-17.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers are making AI easier to understand through their work on Transformer Explainer. The free, online tool shows non-experts how ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models (LLMs) process language, improving AI literacy."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-03-31 16:42:57","changed_gmt":"2026-04-17 18:58:09","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-31T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-31T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679798":{"id":"679798","type":"image","title":"Transformer-Explainer-Head-Image.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774975392","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 16:43:12","changed":"1774975392","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 16:43:12","alt":"CHI 2026 Transformer Explainer","file":{"fid":"264002","name":"Transformer-Explainer-Head-Image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/Transformer-Explainer-Head-Image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/Transformer-Explainer-Head-Image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":120484,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/Transformer-Explainer-Head-Image.jpg?itok=eryBAi-R"}},"679799":{"id":"679799","type":"image","title":"Transformer-Explainer-Text-Image.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774975428","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 16:43:48","changed":"1774975428","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 16:43:48","alt":"CHI 2026 Transformer Explainer","file":{"fid":"264003","name":"Transformer-Explainer-Text-Image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/Transformer-Explainer-Text-Image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/Transformer-Explainer-Text-Image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":69012,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/Transformer-Explainer-Text-Image.jpg?itok=0B-WDInX"}}},"media_ids":["679798","679799"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/transformer-explainer-shows-how-ai-more-math-human","title":"Transformer Explainer Shows How AI is More Math than Human"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"170447","name":"Institute for Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"176858","name":"machine learning center"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"14646","name":"human-computer interaction"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"194384","name":"Tech AI"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689848":{"#nid":"689848","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Survey the Challenges of Integrating Wind and Solar Into Power Grids","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs wind and solar power \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.carbonbrief.org\/wind-and-solar-are-fastest-growing-electricity-sources-in-history\/\u0022\u003Eexpand rapidly\u003C\/a\u003E worldwide, researchers are confronting a growing challenge: how to effectively integrate them into the power grid.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWind turbines and solar panels have what economists call zero marginal cost, meaning producing additional units of electricity requires no fuel once installed. At the same time, this renewable energy varies greatly with the weather and can create operational challenges for grid operators.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new review study from Georgia Tech examines how these characteristics are reshaping electricity markets and grid operations \u2014 and why addressing the challenge requires cross-disciplinary collaboration.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rser.2025.116334\u0022\u003EThe study\u003C\/a\u003E, published in \u003Cem\u003ERenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews\u003C\/em\u003E, synthesizes more than a decade of research. It analyzes over 200 studies on the engineering, economic, and policy implications of managing renewable energy sources that are both intermittent and effectively zero-cost to operate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWind and solar are now among the lowest-cost sources of electricity in many parts of the world, but integrating them into the grid isn\u2019t simple,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/matthew-oliver\u0022\u003EMatthew Oliver\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Economics\u003C\/a\u003E and lead author of the study. \u201cThe wind doesn\u2019t always blow, and the sun isn\u2019t always shining, so output can fluctuate significantly, which complicates grid management.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe added, \u201cHistorically, variation in electricity systems generally came from the demand side, and operators could simply ramp generation up or down. Now, we have variability on both supply and demand sides.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnalyzing the Data\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking at the problem, Oliver knew he would need to be familiar with engineering concepts to get at the heart of the issue. He created a research team with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/daniel-matisoff\u0022\u003EDaniel Matisoff\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/santiago-carlos-grijalva\u0022\u003ESantiago Grijalva\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E; and graduate student co-authors Maghfira Ramadhani (economics), Oliver Chapman (public policy), and Amanda West (electrical and computer engineering).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnalyzing over 200 studies published since 2010, the team mapped the complex interactions between electricity market design, grid operations, and renewable technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey also explored the economic implications of large amounts of zero-marginal-cost electricity entering wholesale electricity markets. Because wind and solar have very low operating costs, they can lower prices in wholesale electricity markets. That benefits consumers, but it can also make it harder for flexible conventional plants to earn enough revenue to stay available when renewable output falls.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollaborating Across Disciplines\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team argues that successfully scaling renewable energy will depend on collaboration across traditionally separate fields.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEngineering constraints affect how electricity markets work, markets influence investment decisions, and policy shapes how those investments happen,\u201d Oliver said. \u201cWhen it comes to complex topics like this, you can\u2019t really treat engineering, economics, and policy as separate problems. They\u2019re all part of the same system.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers found that electricity systems with high shares of renewable energy will require coordinated solutions that combine improved engineering practices, market reforms that value flexibility and reliability, and policies that align private investment with long-term decarbonization goals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur hope is that this paper helps researchers across disciplines communicate more effectively,\u201d Oliver said. \u201cIf we want electricity systems with high levels of renewable energy to work reliably, then engineers, economists, and policymakers all have to understand how their decisions affect the others.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECitation\u003C\/strong\u003E: Oliver, Matthew E., et al. \u201cManaging Zero-marginal-cost, intermittent renewable energy: A survey of the engineering, economic, and Policy Challenges.\u201d \u003Cem\u003ERenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews\u003C\/em\u003E, vol. 226, Jan. 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rser.2025.116334\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rser.2025.116334\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew interdisciplinary research highlights how engineering, economics, and policy experts must work together to manage intermittent renewable energy.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New interdisciplinary research highlights how engineering, economics, and policy experts must work together to manage intermittent renewable energy."}],"uid":"36123","created_gmt":"2026-04-17 18:04:08","changed_gmt":"2026-04-17 18:10:08","author":"Catherine Barzler","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679994":{"id":"679994","type":"image","title":"wind-solar.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETo fully integrate renewables like solar and wind in to the power grid, policy experts, engineers, and economists will have to work together.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776449170","gmt_created":"2026-04-17 18:06:10","changed":"1776449170","gmt_changed":"2026-04-17 18:06:10","alt":"Solar panels cut across the foreground of an image featuring a blue sky and a white wind turbine","file":{"fid":"264224","name":"wind-solar.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/wind-solar.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/wind-solar.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":565508,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/17\/wind-solar.jpg?itok=UnjDTN_b"}}},"media_ids":["679994"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECatherine Barzler\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESenior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["catherine.barzler@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689587":{"#nid":"689587","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Use Statistics and Math to Understand How The Brain Works","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENothing rivals the human brain\u2019s complexity. Its 86 billion neurons and 85 billion other cells make an estimated 100 trillion connections. If the brain were a computer, it would perform an exaflop (a billion-billion) mathematical calculations every second and use the equivalent of only 20 watts of power. As impressive as the brain is, neurologists can\u2019t fully explain how neurons work together.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo help find answers, researchers at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS) are using math, data, and AI to unlock the secrets of thought. Together they are helping turn the brain\u2019s raw electrical \u201cnoise\u201d into real insights about how people think, move, and perceive the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFair warning: Prepare your neurons for the complexity of this brain research ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EBuilding AI Like a Brain\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat if artificial neurons in AI programs were arranged as they are in the brain?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI programs would then help us understand why the brain is organized the way it is. This neuro-AI synthesis would also work faster, use less energy, and be easier to interpret. Creating such systems is the goal of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psychology.gatech.edu\/people\/apurva-ratan-murty\u0022\u003EApurva Ratan Murty\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psychology.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPsychology\u003C\/a\u003E who is creating topographic AI models like the one above of three domains \u2014 vision, audition, and language inspired by the brain. In the near future, he predicts doctors might be able to use these patterns to predict the effects of brain lesions and other disorders. \u201cWe\u2019re not there yet,\u201d he says. \u201cBut our work brings us significantly closer to that future than ever before.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EComputing Thought and Movement\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow cats walk keeps \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/5354\u0022\u003EChethan Pandarinath\u003C\/a\u003E on his toes. This biomedical engineer uses sensors to analyze how two sets of feline leg muscles \u2014 flexors and extensors \u2014 are controlled by the spinal cord. Understanding how that happens could help patients partially paralyzed from spinal cord injuries, strokes, or progressive neuro-degenerative diseases get back on their feet again. \u201cMy lab is using AI tools that allow us to turn complex spinal cord activity data into something we can interpret. It tells us there\u2019s a simple underlying structure behind the complex activity patterns,\u201d says the associate professor.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ERevealing the Brain\u2019s Spike Patterns\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe brain is like a symphony conductor,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3736\u0022\u003ESimon Sponberg\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIndividual instruments have some independent control, but most of the music comes from the brain\u2019s precise coordination of notes among the different players in the body.\u201d This \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ephysics\u003C\/a\u003E professor studies the fantastically fast-beating wings of the hummingbird-sized hawk moth (Manduca sexta). Its agile flight movement comes as a result of spikes in electrical activity in 10 muscles. Sponberg found something that surprised him \u2014 the brain focuses less on creating the number of spikes than in orchestrating their precise patterns over time. To Sponberg, every millisecond matters. \u201cWe are just beginning to understand how the nervous system first acquires precisely timed spiking patterns during development,\u201d he says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EPredicting Decisions Through Statistics\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPut a mouse in a maze with food far away, and it will learn to find it. But life for mice \u2014 and people \u2014 isn\u2019t so simple. Sometimes they want to explore, only want water, or just want to go home. What\u2019s more, animals make decisions based on their history, not just on how they feel at the moment. To dig deeper into the decision-making process, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/18557\u0022\u003EAnqi Wu\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, is giving mice more options. By using a new computational framework called SWIRL (Switching Inverse Reinforcement Learning), her findings have outperformed models that fail to take historical behavior into account. \u201cWe\u2019re seeking to understand not only animal behavior but also human behavior to gain insight into the human decision-making process over a long period of time,\u201d she says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EModeling the Mind\u2019s Wiring With Math\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConnectivity shapes cognition in the cerebral cortex, a layered structure in the brain. The visual cortex, in particular, processes visual data from the retina relayed through the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN) in the thalamus, and directs it to the correct cognitive domain in the brain. How it does this is the mystery that computational neuroscientist \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/13005\u0022\u003EHannah Choi\u003C\/a\u003E wants to solve. \u201cThe big question I\u2019m interested in is how network connectivity patterns in the architecture of the LGN are related to computations,\u201d says this assistant \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/math.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Emath\u003C\/a\u003E professor. To find answers, she shows mice repeated image patterns such as flower-cat-dog-house and then disrupts the pattern. The goal? To grasp how the thalamus\u2019s nonlinear dynamical system works. If scientists and doctors better understand how brain regions are wired together, such knowledge could lead to better disease treatment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis story was originally published through the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. Read the original publication \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtalumni.org\/news\/2026\/georgia-tech-researchers-use-statistics-and-math-to-understand-how-the-brain-works.html\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehere\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech are using math, science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how people think, move, and perceive the world.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at Georgia Tech are using math, science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how people think, move, and perceive the world."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2026-04-09 14:51:00","changed_gmt":"2026-04-17 16:22:48","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679908":{"id":"679908","type":"image","title":"AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech are using math, science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how people think, move, and perceive the world.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775747910","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 15:18:30","changed":"1775747910","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 15:18:30","alt":"Digital illustration of a human brain split down the middle: the left side is filled with white mathematical equations, diagrams, and formulas, while the right side is surrounded by colorful, flowing lines and abstract wave patterns against a dark blue background.","file":{"fid":"264129","name":"AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":11158535,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg?itok=smMzQtFc"}},"679903":{"id":"679903","type":"image","title":"Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption:\u0026nbsp;This image shows a topographic vision model trained to have a brain-like organization.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746394","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:53:14","changed":"1775746394","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:53:14","alt":"Three layered, abstract heat\u2011map style grids in shades of blue, red, and beige, stacked to resemble data layers or visualization panels.","file":{"fid":"264124","name":"Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":53268,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg?itok=vNYzcaPf"}},"679904":{"id":"679904","type":"image","title":"Chethan-480x330.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption:\u0026nbsp;This shows how spinal cord activity guides transitions in muscle output for extensor muscles.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746465","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:54:25","changed":"1775746465","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:54:25","alt":"Two side\u2011by\u2011side scientific diagrams labeled Cat 1 and Cat 2 showing clusters of colored data points and curved gray lines representing muscle\u2011activity patterns during movement. Each diagram includes blue, green, and yellow point clusters and marked \u2018extensor onset\u2019 and \u2018extensor offset\u2019 angles.","file":{"fid":"264125","name":"Chethan-480x330.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Chethan-480x330.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Chethan-480x330.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":67950,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/Chethan-480x330.jpg?itok=RaB1s5Rq"}},"679906":{"id":"679906","type":"image","title":"new_figure-480x330.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption: This shows how mice behave differently when they are pursuing different goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746563","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:56:03","changed":"1775746563","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:56:03","alt":"Three maze-like diagrams labeled \u2018water,\u2019 \u2018home,\u2019 and \u2018explore,\u2019 each showing colored paths representing an animal\u2019s movement through the maze. The paths shift from dark purple at the start to bright yellow at the end, indicating progression over time according to the color scale on the right","file":{"fid":"264127","name":"new_figure-480x330.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/new_figure-480x330.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/new_figure-480x330.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":103865,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/new_figure-480x330.jpg?itok=wezz9ZzE"}},"679905":{"id":"679905","type":"image","title":"Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption:\u0026nbsp;This shows the spike patterns of a hawk moth. Motor systems use spike codes to control motor output.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746508","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:55:08","changed":"1775746508","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:55:08","alt":"Diagram showing a hawk moth in the center surrounded by twelve circular charts. Each chart displays proportional black and blue segments representing spike count and spike timing data for left and right muscle groups. A legend explains the colors, and text below notes that the values show mutual information estimates for 10 muscles across seven moths","file":{"fid":"264126","name":"Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":81244,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg?itok=l_G56joM"}},"679907":{"id":"679907","type":"image","title":"GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption:\u0026nbsp;This shows how visual data from the retina is directed to the correct cognitive domain in the brain through a region of the visual cortex.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746605","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:56:45","changed":"1775746605","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:56:45","alt":"Diagram showing neural connectivity between cortical layers in regions labeled V1 and LM. Arrows connect circular nodes representing layers L2\/3, L4, and L5, with green and orange arrows indicating directional pathways. A magnified inset on the right illustrates a simplified microcircuit with shapes labeled Pyr, Sst, and Vip connected by colored arrows.","file":{"fid":"264128","name":"GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":51645,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg?itok=MfeiKQbd"}}},"media_ids":["679908","679903","679904","679906","679905","679907"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-uses-computing-and-engineering-methods-shift-neuroscience-paradigms","title":"Georgia Tech Uses Computing and Engineering Methods to Shift Neuroscience Paradigms"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/head-toe-georgia-tech-researchers-treat-entire-human-body-through-neuroscience-research","title":"Head to Toe: Georgia Tech Researchers Treat the Entire Human Body Through Neuroscience Research"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/better-brain-machine-interfaces-could-allow-paralyzed-communicate-again","title":"Better Brain-Machine Interfaces Could Allow the Paralyzed to Communicate Again"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter:\u003C\/strong\u003E George Spencer\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENews and Media Contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689586":{"#nid":"689586","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Computing Associate Dean Cultivates Innovation With CREATE-X","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Olufisayo \u201cFisayo\u201d Omojokun joined Georgia Tech, his teaching followed a familiar cadence. His courses were highly structured and consistent. Lectures, exams, office hours, and semester breaks were always known months in advance. The goals were clear, the outcomes known, and the educational journey largely mapped. Then, he heard about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/createx.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ECREATE-X\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Spark of Curiosity\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2017, faculty conversations began circulating about a new kind of capstone experience, one driven by student discovery and entrepreneurial thinking rather than predetermined client requirements. The idea intrigued Omojokun.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI remember thinking, this is really different from anything I\u2019ve ever taught,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn his previous courses, Omojokun took pride in providing the structured, rigorous framework students needed to master complex concepts. While those interactions were dynamic, the curriculum required a specific, focused trajectory. CREATE-X offered a different kind of challenge: the \u0022X\u0022 of the program, representing undefined, endless potential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCREATE-X is full of unknowns. You don\u2019t know what industry the students are diving into, what roadblocks they\u2019ll run into and navigate out of, or what small- to large-scale successes they\u2019ll achieve throughout the semester. It really had my blood pumping,\u201d he said. As someone who loves the challenge of academia, it was an invigorating way to help the next generation apply what they\u2019ve learned in a new context.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOmojokun co-taught the first CREATE-X Capstone section with College of Computing students in fall 2018 alongside Craig Forest, associate director of the Invention Studio. While the initial computer science cohort was small, the experience was immediately powerful.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was humble beginnings but deeply eye-opening,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this new environment, students weren\u0027t just solving problems; they were seeking them and sometimes pivoting. Traditional client-driven capstones offer students invaluable experiences in delivering high-quality products, responding to clients\u2019 often evolving needs, and adhering to professional standards. CREATE-X added a layer of venture-validation, requiring students to identify a gap in the market and build something with commercial viability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the semesters continued, CREATE-X grew from a program with an interesting capstone course Omojokun enthusiastically co-taught to a professional inflection point for him. He found himself talking about it frequently, with colleagues, with students, even with prospective undergraduates who may not see a capstone for years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe began encouraging prospective and incoming students to take CREATE-X pathways.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI would tell students, down to first-year students, when you get that opportunity to engage with CREATE-X, take it. You don\u2019t even have to wait until capstone, as there are multiple pathways; in fact, Startup Lab has no prerequisites. Whatever path you take, you\u2019ll remember it for years to come. Whether you officially take a problem solution to market or not, the entrepreneurial confidence gained is priceless.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESpreading CREATE-X Into the College of Computing\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy 2020, when the first Jim Pope Faculty Fellowship cohort opened, applying felt natural. He had already become an unofficial ambassador for CREATE-X, helping students navigate options, promoting programs in classes, and rallying colleagues to engage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was an opportunity to become more connected to this thing that I felt was changing the game on campus,\u201d he said. \u201cIt cemented my affiliation with CREATE-X.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fellowship gave name and weight to the work he was already doing, while also expanding what was possible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Jim Pope Faculty Fellowship provides faculty with $15,000 in discretionary funding, which can support a one-semester break from teaching, along with structured training in evidence\u2011based entrepreneurship, dedicated mentorship, and the opportunity to work closely with students launching startups.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fellowship also equips faculty to become entrepreneurial instructors and mentors through the CREATE\u2011X ecosystem, giving them tools to integrate entrepreneurship into their coursework and curricula. Each cohort of fellows is trained to embed entrepreneurial methods, develop new innovation\u2011focused assignments, and serve as advisors within programs like Startup Lab, Idea\u2011to\u2011Prototype, and Startup Launch.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor faculty across Georgia Tech, the fellowship offers something rare: institutional backing, resources, and formal recognition for bringing entrepreneurship into their teaching and shaping how students learn to become problem\u2011solvers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOmojokun said he sees CREATE-X as the apex of applying technical fundamentals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs part of the fellowship, Omojokun brought the program\u2019s ethos into his courses, even a foundational course like CS 1331: Introduction to Object Oriented Programming, where he created a CREATE-X\u2013branded final project. Students built a \u201cproblem database\u201d application as their final homework assignment, cataloging real issues they encountered in daily life, assessing their skills to solve them, evaluating markets and metrics, and then deciding potential pathways forward.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s an innovation diary,\u201d he said. \u201cA tool that can get them closer to thinking like a founder.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe response from students, including many non-computing majors who take his section each semester, has been overwhelmingly positive. While the project is challenging, the open-ended nature and real-world relevance motivate deeper engagement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen students believe their work will solve a meaningful problem for a meaningful population, they bring passion to it,\u201d he said. \u201cThey start observing the world differently.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe more Omojokun saw, the deeper his enthusiasm grew.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EShaping the College of Computing\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven as he stepped into the role of inaugural chair of the School of Computing Instruction in 2022, CREATE-X remained at the forefront of Omojokun\u2019s conversations. Interest in the program continued to grow significantly. Students stopped him in the hallways to talk about their ideas. Faculty reached out to ask about mentorship opportunities. And he continued championing the program in the many settings he entered.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt turns out that the most engaged group of students in CREATE-X is computing undergraduates,\u201d Omojokun said. \u201cI wanted to make sure that high involvement continued, no matter what size we are,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver time, Omojokun strengthened the partnership between the College of Computing and CREATE-X, weaving entrepreneurship deeper into the College\u0027s curricular fabric.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELast January, Omojokun was appointed as the associate dean for Undergraduate Education in the College of Computing. One of his priorities was highlighting CREATE-X\u2019s curricular impact. In coordination with key stakeholders \u2014 including Kelly Ann Fitzpatrick (computing), Craig Forest (mechanical engineering), and Raul Saxena (CREATE-X) \u2014 he nominated the program for the ABET Innovation Award. \u0026nbsp;The award honors programs that challenge the status quo in technical education and demonstrate a measurable impact on student learning in ABET-accredited disciplines, such as natural sciences, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. CREATE-X won.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe CREATE-X Advantage With Faculty\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen faculty are considering something like the Jim Pope Fellowship, Omojokun said the biggest barrier he hears about from them is time. With courses that can enroll 300 students per section and extensive responsibilities beyond the classroom, time is a scarce resource.\u003Cbr\u003EHe could relate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere are always lots of things on my physical and virtual desktop. I always warn people before they enter my office,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, Omojokun argued that participating in the fellowship program was time well spent because it helps them rediscover the most exciting parts of teaching.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s worth the time. One of the goals of teaching is to see students passionate about what they\u2019re learning, and CREATE-X makes that happen consistently,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Future With Technology\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs AI reshapes industries, Omojokun believes that CREATE-X equips students to navigate the unknown and forge new paths as existing ones shift, providing a versatile skill set that transfers to employment, potentially self-employment, and beyond.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of uncertainty with AI in the workspace, but CREATE-X gives students the confidence and skills to succeed at whatever comes,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are putting students through this process of finding a problem that\u2019s meaningful and matters to the world; mastering that allows them to lead in any environment.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EApplications Now Open: Become a Jim Pope Faculty Fellow\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_8cOnwIrm4eKEh9Q\u0022\u003E2026 Jim Pope Faculty Fellowship\u003C\/a\u003E is now accepting applications. For faculty who want to explore integrating entrepreneurship into their teaching, mentoring student founders, and helping shape a culture of innovation across campus, this fellowship offers resources and a supported pathway to begin. Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_8cOnwIrm4eKEh9Q\u0022\u003Eapply to the Jim Pope Fellowship\u003C\/a\u003E. Priority deadline: July 1; final deadline: Aug. 11.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Olufisayo \u201cFisayo\u201d Omojokun first encountered CREATE\u2011X, it challenged the highly structured teaching model he was accustomed to by centering learning around uncertainty, discovery, and entrepreneurial problem\u2011finding. As a faculty member, Jim Pope Faculty Fellow, and now associate dean in the College of Computing, he has championed CREATE\u2011X as a powerful way to help students apply technical fundamentals in unpredictable, real\u2011world contexts. Through initiatives like CREATE\u2011X\u2013inspired course projects and cross\u2011college partnerships, Omojokun has helped embed entrepreneurship more deeply into computing education at Georgia Tech. He believes programs like CREATE\u2011X are essential in preparing students to adapt, lead, and innovate in a future increasingly shaped by emerging technologies such as AI.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Olufisayo \u201cFisayo\u201d Omojokun, Georgia Tech associate dean in the College of Computing, found new energy in teaching through CREATE\u2011X, where open\u2011ended entrepreneurship equips students to confidently navigate uncertainty and solve real\u2011world problems."}],"uid":"36436","created_gmt":"2026-04-09 13:46:31","changed_gmt":"2026-04-17 16:21:57","author":"bdurham31","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679902":{"id":"679902","type":"image","title":" Olufisayo \u201cFisayo\u201d Omojokun Associate Dean ","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003EOlufisayo \u201cFisayo\u201d Omojokun, associate dean in Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Computing\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1775741406","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 13:30:06","changed":"1775742590","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 13:49:50","alt":" Olufisayo \u201cFisayo\u201d Omojokun, associate dean in Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Computing","file":{"fid":"264123","name":"FisayoCloseUp-23-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/FisayoCloseUp-23-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/FisayoCloseUp-23-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":477042,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/FisayoCloseUp-23-.png?itok=3qsEriy1"}}},"media_ids":["679902"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/gatech.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_8cOnwIrm4eKEh9Q","title":"2026 Jim Pope Faculty Fellowship "}],"groups":[{"id":"583966","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:breanna.durham@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBreanna Durham\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMarketing Strategist\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689832":{"#nid":"689832","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Why Iran Targeted Amazon Data Centers and What That Does \u2013 and Doesn\u2019t \u2013 Change About\u00a0Warfare","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore dawn on March 1, 2026, Iranian Shahed drones \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/mar\/07\/it-means-missile-defence-on-data-centres-drone-strikes-raises-doubts-over-gulf-as-ai-superpower\u0022\u003Estruck two Amazon Web Services data centers\u003C\/a\u003E in the United Arab Emirates. A third commercial data center in Bahrain \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/03\/04\/amazon-bahrain-data-centers-targeted-iran-drone-strike.html\u0022\u003Ewas hit\u003C\/a\u003E, though it is less clear whether it was deliberately targeted. This is the first time that a country has deliberately targeted commercial data centers during wartime.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIran state media issued a statement on March 31 that it will \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wired.me\/story\/war-on-big-tech-iran-names-israeli-linked-us-firms-as-potential-targets\u0022\u003Etarget American companies\u003C\/a\u003E, including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, Oracle, Intel, HP, IBM, Cisco, Dell, Palantir and Nvidia. The Financial Times reported that an additional Iranian drone \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/amazons-cloud-business-bahrain-damaged-iran-strike-ft-reports-2026-04-01\/\u0022\u003Estruck an Amazon data center\u003C\/a\u003E in Bahrain on April 1. And Iranian state media claimed that Iranian forces \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/middle-east\/iran-news\/article-891951\u0022\u003Eattacked an Oracle data center\u003C\/a\u003E in Dubai on April 2.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIran has also been on the receiving end of such attacks. A data center in Tehran operated by Iran\u2019s state-run Bank Sepah was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/middle-east\/iran-news\/article-889604\u0022\u003Estruck by a missile\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 apparently fired by U.S. or Israeli forces \u2013 on March 11, according to a report in The Jerusalem Post.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData centers have been targets of espionage and cyberattacks in the past, notably when Ukrainian hackers \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kyivindependent.com\/sources-ukrainian-hackers-destroy-data-center-used-by-russian-military-industry\/\u0022\u003Edestroyed data stored in a Russian military-affiliated data center\u003C\/a\u003E in 2024. These strikes in the Persian Gulf region, however, were physical attacks. Drones damaged buildings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdvances in artificial intelligence have increased the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.techtimes.com\/articles\/315268\/20260321\/why-big-tech-pouring-billions-ai-data-centers-reinventing-tech-infrastructure.htm\u0022\u003Eimportance of data centers\u003C\/a\u003E. The U.S. military, in particular, has made great use of AI systems \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us-military-leans-into-ai-for-attack-on-iran-but-the-tech-doesnt-lessen-the-need-for-human-judgment-in-war-277831\u0022\u003Efor decision support\u003C\/a\u003E in its attacks on Iran and Venezuela. Given how important data centers are, Iranian forces could be targeting the infrastructure Iran\u2019s leaders believe is supporting strikes on Iran.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is not altogether clear that these particular data centers were used by the U.S. military. Instead, the attacks may have been part of a broader effort to punish the United Arab Emirates for its ties with the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn my experience as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=MOsQPM0AAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Ea Ph.D. candidate\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech studying how technology drives changes in international security, I don\u2019t think the attacks signal any significant change in the nature of warfare. But they are forcing nations to recognize that data centers are targets of war \u2013 even if they don\u2019t directly support military operations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EData Centers and the Cloud\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe United States military is increasingly incorporating advanced AI capabilities \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us-military-leans-into-ai-for-attack-on-iran-but-the-tech-doesnt-lessen-the-need-for-human-judgment-in-war-277831\u0022\u003Einto its decision support systems\u003C\/a\u003E. From the operation to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/national-security\/pentagon-used-anthropics-claude-in-maduro-venezuela-raid-583aff17\u0022\u003Ecapture Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro\u003C\/a\u003E to supporting \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.axios.com\/newsletters\/axios-am-f0954cb2-2f31-4426-87fd-050095005344.html\u0022\u003Emilitary strikes against Iran\u003C\/a\u003E, the U.S. has been using AI, especially Anthropic\u2019s Claude, for intelligence analysis and operational support.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI is unlocking faster ways to carry out operations in war, but the AI tools the military often uses are not located on a plane or ship. When a service member uses Claude, the computing infrastructure that powers the model and its analysis usually goes to a secure Amazon Web Services cloud that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aws.amazon.com\/federal\/top-secret-cloud\/\u0022\u003Ehosts secret government data\u003C\/a\u003E and software tools.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3Yh9OddmgS0?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThe basics of data centers explained.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommercial data centers are where the cloud lives. The next time you pull up Netflix and watch your favorite shows, you are likely streaming the programming from a data center, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2022\/09\/07\/netflix-costs\u0022\u003Epossibly AWS\u003C\/a\u003E. When AWS data centers go down, outages \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/us-news\/amazon-web-services-outage-websites-offline-rcna238594\u0022\u003Eaffect all sorts of entertainment, news and government functions\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith AI as a driver of economic growth, data centers are key forms of infrastructure. They ensure that AI can continue to run, as well as much of the underlying internet that governments and industry rely on. When Iran attacked the UAE\u2019s data centers, it caused widespread disruption to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tomshardware.com\/tech-industry\/drone-strikes-hit-three-aws-data-centers-in-the-uae-and-bahrain\u0022\u003Elocal banking system\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommercial data centers enable most of the technology that runs the modern world, including AI systems. Disrupting them is key to disrupting a country\u2019s military and society. Given that AWS provides and operates many of the commercial data centers where the cloud lives, it is likely that its data centers will continue to be targeted in conflict.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EGoing After US Allies\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.justsecurity.org\/133685\/iranian-attacks-amazon-data-centers-legal-analysis\/\u0022\u003EJust Security noted\u003C\/a\u003E on March 12, 2026, that the United States requires cloud-computing service providers to store government and military data \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.acquisition.gov\/dfars\/239.7602-2-required-storage-data-within-united-states-or-outlying-areas.\u0022\u003Ewithin the U.S. or on Department of Defense bases\u003C\/a\u003E: \u201cMoving such data to Amazon data centers in the Gulf region would require special authorization; we are unaware if that has been granted.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENevertheless, Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed the strikes were against data centers supporting \u201cthe enemy\u2019s\u201d military and intelligence activities. And 10 days after the initial attack on the data centers, an Iranian news agency claimed that major tech company data centers and other physical assets in the region were considered \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2026\/03\/12\/enemy-technology-infrastructure-iran-threatens-amazon-google-and-microsoft-assets-in-middl\u0022\u003Eenemy technology infrastructure\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstead of military reasons, Iran may well have targeted the UAE to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/03\/15\/iran-us-war-uae-target-aggression.html\u0022\u003Erattle the global economy and garner attention\u003C\/a\u003E. Given the prominence of the Gulf as a major recipient of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/thehill.com\/business\/5783723-us-war-iran-middle-east-ai\/\u0022\u003EU.S. technological investment\u003C\/a\u003E, the attack may also have been a symbolic one aimed at the heart of U.S.-Gulf cooperation. AI infrastructure such as commercial data centers is a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/warontherocks.com\/2025\/10\/silicon-statecraft-how-u-s-gulf-ai-deals-project-power\/\u0022\u003Egrowing part of U.S. leadership in the region\u003C\/a\u003E, and this war could jeopardize the future of AI infrastructure in the Gulf.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/727486\/original\/file-20260331-63-1g9hbt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022men wearingwhite robes and headdresses stand over a model of an industrial park\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/727486\/original\/file-20260331-63-1g9hbt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/727486\/original\/file-20260331-63-1g9hbt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/727486\/original\/file-20260331-63-1g9hbt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/727486\/original\/file-20260331-63-1g9hbt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/727486\/original\/file-20260331-63-1g9hbt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/727486\/original\/file-20260331-63-1g9hbt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/727486\/original\/file-20260331-63-1g9hbt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThis model shows a massive data center, part of the Stargate project involving U.S. tech companies, currently under construction in the United Arab Emirates.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/guests-look-at-a-model-of-the-largest-data-center-in-the-news-photo\/2244357858\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EGiuseppe CACACE\/AFP via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EGrowing Importance, Easy Targets\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough data centers are increasingly important for national security, the economy and society at large, it can be tempting to suggest these strikes represent a fundamental shift in the nature of war. While that is a possibility, it is important to remember that Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones at targets in the UAE and Bahrain. Though the vast majority were intercepted, the four that struck data centers are a small portion of the ones that got through to civilian targets in those countries, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/03\/01\/iranian-strikes-hit-dubai-and-abu-dhabi-damaging-airport-terminals-and-the-burj-al-arab\u0022\u003Eincluding strikes on airports and hotels\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe relative vulnerability of commercial data centers \u2013 they are large, relatively fragile and lack dedicated air defenses \u2013 suggests that the ones in the UAE and Bahrain may have been targets of opportunity or convenience. In other words, they were hit because they could be hit.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENevertheless, it seems likely that as the use of AI tools and other cloud-based resources continues to grow in importance for countries around the world, commercial data centers will be targets in future conflicts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article has been updated to include news of Iran\u2019s statement about targeting U.S. tech companies and subsequent drone strikes on other data centers.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/278642\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-iran-targeted-amazon-data-centers-and-what-that-does-and-doesnt-change-about-warfare-278642\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAttacks are forcing nations to recognize that data centers are targets of war \u2013 even if they don\u2019t directly support military operations.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Attacks are forcing nations to recognize that data centers are targets of war \u2013 even if they don\u2019t directly support military operations."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-04-01 15:49:40","changed_gmt":"2026-04-17 16:14:54","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679990":{"id":"679990","type":"image","title":"Smoke rises in Abu Dhabi on March 1, 2026, after Iranian drone strikes around the city, including on data centers. Ryan Lim\/AFP via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESmoke rises in Abu Dhabi on March 1, 2026, after Iranian drone strikes around the city, including on data centers. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/plume-of-smoke-rises-from-the-zayed-port-following-a-news-photo\/2263708545\u0022\u003ERyan Lim\/AFP via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776441044","gmt_created":"2026-04-17 15:50:44","changed":"1776441044","gmt_changed":"2026-04-17 15:50:44","alt":"Smoke rises in Abu Dhabi on March 1, 2026, after Iranian drone strikes around the city, including on data centers. Ryan Lim\/AFP via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"264220","name":"file-20260331-77-tscakw.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/file-20260331-77-tscakw.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/file-20260331-77-tscakw.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":303736,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/17\/file-20260331-77-tscakw.jpg?itok=9K17Zwpq"}}},"media_ids":["679990"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-iran-targeted-amazon-data-centers-and-what-that-does-and-doesnt-change-about-warfare-278642","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1285","name":"Sam Nunn School of International Affairs"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/dennis-murphy-2626011\u0022\u003EDennis Murphy\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. student of International Affairs, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689627":{"#nid":"689627","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Engineering a Faster Path to Life-Saving Therapies ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Mason Chilmonczyk, M.S. ME 2017, Ph.D. ME 2020, arrived at Georgia Tech to pursue graduate degrees in mechanical engineering, his goal was to become a professor. Instead, an unexpected turn in his research led him to entrepreneurship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, he is the chief executive officer of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/andsonbiotech.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndson Biotech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a growing biotools startup he co-founded with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/fedorov\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndrei Fedorov\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate chair for graduate studies and the Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Chair at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The company is commercializing a breakthrough technology Chilmonczyk developed during his doctoral research that simplifies the development and production of cell and gene therapies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/engineering-faster-path-life-saving-therapies\u0022\u003ERead the full story on the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Mason Chilmonczyk, M.S. ME 2017, Ph.D. ME 2020, arrived at Georgia Tech to pursue graduate degrees in mechanical engineering, his goal was to become a professor. Instead, an unexpected turn in his research led him to entrepreneurship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, he is the chief executive officer of Andson Biotech, a growing biotools startup he co-founded with Andrei Fedorov, associate chair for graduate studies and the Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Chair at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. The company is commercializing a breakthrough technology Chilmonczyk developed during his doctoral research that simplifies the development and production of cell and gene therapies.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"When Mason Chilmonczyk, M.S. ME 2017, Ph.D. ME 2020, arrived at Georgia Tech to pursue graduate degrees in mechanical engineering, his goal was to become a professor. Instead, an unexpected turn in his research led him to entrepreneurship."}],"uid":"35851","created_gmt":"2026-04-10 17:59:06","changed_gmt":"2026-04-16 21:03:57","author":"aritchie6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679913":{"id":"679913","type":"image","title":"Andson_Lab-10.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775843960","gmt_created":"2026-04-10 17:59:20","changed":"1775843960","gmt_changed":"2026-04-10 17:59:20","alt":"Andson Lab","file":{"fid":"264134","name":"Andson_Lab-10.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/Andson_Lab-10.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/Andson_Lab-10.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":25805113,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/10\/Andson_Lab-10.jpg?itok=U1fdQpjq"}}},"media_ids":["679913"],"groups":[{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"},{"id":"193593","name":"gt-commercialization"},{"id":"192930","name":"gt-commercializationnews"},{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ashley.ritchie@me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAshley Ritchie\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689777":{"#nid":"689777","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Board of Regents Approves Funding and Tuition Rates for Fiscal Year 2027","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis week, the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG) approved budget allocations and tuition and fee rates for its 25 member institutions. Pending approval of the state\u2019s Fiscal Year 2027 budget by Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia Tech will receive nearly $639 million in total state appropriations. In addition, the BOR approved limited systemwide tuition increases for undergraduate and graduate programs. This includes a 1% in-state tuition increase and a 3% tuition increase for out-of-state and out-of-country students for the upcoming fiscal year (FY27).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are grateful to Governor Kemp, the General Assembly, and the Board of Regents for continuing to invest in the success of Georgia Tech.\u202fWith Governor Kemp\u2019s approval of the state budget, Georgia Tech\u0027s appropriation reflects the state\u2019s strong confidence in our mission and momentum,\u201d said Tricia Chastain, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. \u201cThese funds, which support our growing enrollment, will allow us to advance our educational and research initiatives that serve communities in Georgia and beyond. The modest increases in tuition reaffirm the System\u2019s commitment to student affordability and broad access to a world-class education.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOnline Tuition, Fees, and Cost of Attendance\u202f\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe BOR has also approved new in-state, out-of-state, and out-of-country rates for the Online Master of Science in Analytics, Online Master of Science in Computer Science, and Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity programs. In-state students will receive a 1% tuition increase, tuition for out-of-state students will increase 5%, and out-of-country tuition will increase 10%. Even with the increases, these online degrees remain highly affordable among comparable programs. Tuition for all other online and professional master\u2019s programs at Georgia Tech will increase by 3% per credit hour.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe BOR also approved fee increases for several of its 25 member institutions. At Georgia Tech, mandatory student fees will increase by 1.3%, and online learning fees will increase by nearly 20% \u2014 though they remain 40% lower than in-person learning fees and on par with other USG institutions. In addition, the BOR approved limited increases for dining and housing rates across the System, including Georgia Tech. These measured fee increases balance rising operational costs with affordability for students.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVisit the\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usg.edu\/fiscal_affairs\/tuition_and_fees\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUSG website\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u202ffor a full listing of tuition, fee, and rate changes. \u202f\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech continues to be recognized nationally for delivering exceptional value in higher education, and we are committed to providing outstanding education and employment outcomes for our students and families,\u201d said Chastain. \u201cThese tuition and fee decisions reflect a careful balance between sustaining the quality of the Georgia Tech experience and maintaining an exceptional return on investment.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Office of Institute Budget Planning and Administration will submit the FY27 budget to the Board of Regents for spending approval in advance of its meeting in May. The new fiscal year begins July 1.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has announced funding and tuition approvals that balance affordability, sustainability, and quality for its 25 member institutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has announced funding and tuition approvals that balance affordability, sustainability, and quality for its 25 member institutions."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2026-04-15 20:20:57","changed_gmt":"2026-04-16 12:23:34","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679967":{"id":"679967","type":"image","title":"22C10400-P3-047-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776285798","gmt_created":"2026-04-15 20:43:18","changed":"1776285798","gmt_changed":"2026-04-15 20:43:18","alt":"Tech Tower","file":{"fid":"264194","name":"22C10400-P3-047-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/15\/22C10400-P3-047-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/15\/22C10400-P3-047-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":341441,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/15\/22C10400-P3-047-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg?itok=R4O33vqI"}}},"media_ids":["679967"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.usg.edu\/news\/release\/university-system-of-georgia-sets-tuition-for-2026-2027-academic-year\/","title":"University System of Georgia Sets Tuition for 2026-2027 Academic Year"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.usg.edu\/fiscal-affairs\/tuition-and-fees\/","title":"University System of Georgia\u0027s Tuition and Fees"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/03\/state-invest-88m-new-georgia-tech-aerospace-building","title":"State to Invest $88M in New Georgia Tech Aerospace Building"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/06\/25\/georgia-tech-tops-princeton-reviews-best-value-list","title":"Georgia Tech Tops Princeton Review\u2019s Best Value List"}],"groups":[{"id":"64319","name":"Administration and Finance"},{"id":"220261","name":"Finance and Planning"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"195038","name":"Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia"},{"id":"3410","name":"tuition"},{"id":"171633","name":"fees"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003ERachael Pocklington\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["rpocklington@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689757":{"#nid":"689757","#data":{"type":"news","title":"This New Tool Makes AI\u2019s Role in Student Writing Visible","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGenerative artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed college writing. As paper drafts are increasingly co\u2011written with AI, professors are left wondering not whether students are using AI, but how.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA 2025 \u003Cem\u003EAI in Education\u003C\/em\u003E trend\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/copyleaks.com\/blog\/ai-in-action-2025-student-ai-usage-report\u0022\u003Ereport\u003C\/a\u003E found that 90% of college students use AI in their coursework, with nearly half using it during the drafting process. As AI becomes embedded in everyday writing, traditional tools like Grammarly or Turnitin for evaluating student learning fall short. If AI is to be expected in most student writing, then merely detecting its presence isn\u2019t enough.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDraftMarks, a new open\u2011source tool developed by Georgia Tech and Stanford researchers, makes the writing process itself visible. Instead of trying to assess how much of a finished document was written by AI, DraftMarks shows where a student iterated with AI prompts, what is fully AI, and how a piece evolved \u2014 illuminating the often-invisible collaboration between human writers and AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFunctioning as an augmented reading tool, DraftMarks layers visual cues directly onto a document to indicate different kinds of AI involvement. Eraser crumbs mark heavily revised passages. Smudges signal AI-generated changes in the strength of the argument rather than content changes. Masking tape highlights passages initially generated by AI. Glue residue shows where AI\u2011generated text was later removed. Ghost text indicates when a writer prompted AI but chose not to use the output. Different fonts distinguish between human\u2011written and AI\u2011generated passages.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, the marks don\u2019t just reveal AI\u2019s presence. They tell a story about the writer\u2019s process.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy making the invisible parts of the process tangible, it forces writers to confront whether they are truly engaging with AI or just passively accepting it,\u201d said Momin Siddiqui, a master\u2019s student in the College of Computing and lead author on the project. \u201cUltimately, it helps writers make more intentional judgment calls about how they want to collaborate with AI in the future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/10.1145\/3772318.3791109\u0022\u003Edebuted\u003C\/a\u003E DraftMarks at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chi2026.acm.org\/\u0022\u003EAssociation for Computing Machinery\u2019s Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems\u003C\/a\u003E in Barcelona in April.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDesigning for Educators\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERather than starting with detection algorithms, the researchers began with educators. In an initial 21-person study, they observed how instructors reviewed student writing and what cues they looked for when assessing learning, revision, and originality. Those insights informed the design of DraftMarks\u2019 visual language, which deliberately mimics physical artifacts of writing \u2014 eraser debris, tape, smudges \u2014 to reflect processes instructors already recognize.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese marks are meant to emulate the writing process in ways we\u2019re already familiar with,\u201d said Adam Coscia, a computing Ph.D. student. \u201cThey help students and teachers see the effort behind the writing, and whether students actually met the learning objective.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBehind the scenes, DraftMarks tracks a document\u2019s draft history and classifies different types of edits and AI interactions as they happen, allowing the visual cues to appear almost in real time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReading DraftMarks\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo evaluate how the tool functions beyond the lab, the team conducted a follow\u2011up study with 70 participants, including students, teachers, journalists, and general readers. Their reactions to reviewing a DraftMarks-annotated document varied in revealing ways.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstructors were most interested in seeing the writing process unfold: how ideas developed, how heavily AI was used, and where students exercised judgment. General readers, meanwhile, used the marks to assess something less measurable but equally important \u2014 trust. For them, DraftMarks offered cues about authorial intent and authenticity, helping readers decide how much confidence to place in a piece of writing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Shift From Detection to Reflection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike AI detectors that merely offer a percentage, DraftMarks is designed to prompt reflection from writers and readers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDraftMarks completely changed how I think about my own writing,\u201d Coscia said. \u201cI was surprised by how much I cared about authorial intent once I could actually see how AI affected my tone. It made me realize small AI choices can subtly reshape what I\u2019m trying to say.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs AI continues to reshape how writing happens, the research team hopes DraftMarks will help shift the conversation toward transparency. Tools like this could offer educators and students a clearer window into how learning happens when humans and AI write together.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis work is funded through the AI Research Institutes program by the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECITATION: Momin N. Siddiqui, Nikki Nasseri, Adam J. Coscia, Roy Pea, and Hari Subramonyam. 2026. DraftMarks: Enhancing Transparency in Human-AI Co-Writing Through Interactive Skeuomorphic Process Traces. In Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI \u002726). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 862, 1\u201322.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDOI: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3772318.3791109\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3772318.3791109\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECreated by Georgia Tech researchers, DraftMarks reveals how AI shapes the writing process and offers a new way to assess learning in the age of generative AI.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Created by Georgia Tech researchers, DraftMarks reveals how AI shapes the writing process and offers a new way to assess learning in the age of generative AI."}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-04-15 13:58:40","changed_gmt":"2026-04-15 14:12:04","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679951":{"id":"679951","type":"image","title":"dm_iteration.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHow DraftMarks works\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776261550","gmt_created":"2026-04-15 13:59:10","changed":"1776261550","gmt_changed":"2026-04-15 13:59:10","alt":"Example of draftmarks","file":{"fid":"264177","name":"dm_iteration.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/15\/dm_iteration.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/15\/dm_iteration.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4123226,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/15\/dm_iteration.png?itok=89BUfcUZ"}}},"media_ids":["679951"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689753":{"#nid":"689753","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Selected for Upcoming EcoCAR Challenge  ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students will once again take part in a national competition that connects them directly with automotive industry leaders to develop the next generation of mobility innovations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the fourth consecutive cycle, Georgia Tech has been selected to participate in the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition\u2019s EcoCAR Challenge, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors, Stellantis, MathWorks, and other industry partners.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is among 20 universities chosen for the four-year competition, which challenges students to apply emerging technologies \u2014 including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and exascale computing \u2014 to create intelligent mobility solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute is one of 10 schools competing on the General Motors track and has been provided a 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV. During the cycle, the team will modify the vehicle\u2019s propulsion system to optimize efficiency and design connected and automated vehicle technologies without sacrificing safety or driving dynamics, closely mirroring industry goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecruitment for the competition will begin this spring, following the conclusion of the current cycle, which culminates in final competition events in Detroit in late May.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMade up of more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students from six of Georgia Tech\u2019s Colleges, the team reflects what faculty advisor Antonia Antoniou believes is the essence of the competition. Antoniou is a professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe have students represented from all over campus, and they have risen to meet every challenge,\u201d she said. \u201cThey work together to optimize, design, and execute these tasks. Everything you can think of that we do at Georgia Tech happens while we\u0027re working on this car \u2014 from engineering and design of hardware and software to communications.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross six subteams, EcoCAR members have transformed a Cadillac LYRIQ EV to include new motors, a selectable drivetrain, and automated driving features. After testing the vehicle in environments ranging from Georgia Tech\u2019s Student Competition Center to the Arizona desert, the team has earned multiple second-place finishes at competitions and first-place awards for presentation skills.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAntoniou, as well as David Taylor, a professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering who will enter his fifth cycle, will return for the latest challenge, and three new advisors will join the team, including Frank K. Webb Academic Professional Chair in Communication Skills in the Woodruff School Jill Fennell and associate professors Sam Coogan (ECE) and Shuman Xia (ME).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParticipation in the EcoCAR Challenge is paired with coursework through Georgia Tech\u2019s Vertically Integrated Projects program, allowing students to gain hands-on experience while earning academic credit. The technical training and real-world problem-solving skills developed through the program make the competition a valuable experience, said Mason Shackelford, subsystem design and integration lead. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA lot of what you do on the job, you have to learn on the job, and that\u2019s what makes EcoCAR such a great opportunity,\u201d Shackelford said. \u201cYou learn something new every day; there is always a new challenge and the thrill of finding unique ways to solve them. You get to meet a lot of people, work on a great team, and apply what you learn in class.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEric Gustafson, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, has worked on the project for five years, beginning as an undergraduate at Georgia Tech. As he prepares to graduate and start his career at MathWorks, he said he cannot imagine his time at Tech without EcoCAR and encouraged more students to join the upcoming cycle.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen I look back in 15 years on what I did at Tech, all my memories will be of this competition,\u201d Gustafson said. \u201cTraveling to different testing sites \u2014 Austin, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Orlando \u2014 working with these amazing people, the 12-hour days. Those are going to be core memories forever.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor application information, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/ecocar\/recruitment-info\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Evisit the EcoCAR VIP\u2019s website.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The EcoCAR Challenge gives students hands-on experience developing real-world solutions for the automotive industry. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe EcoCAR Challenge gives students hands-on experience developing real-world solutions for the automotive industry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The EcoCAR Challenge gives students hands-on experience developing real-world solutions for the automotive industry. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-04-14 19:06:46","changed_gmt":"2026-04-14 20:18:48","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679949":{"id":"679949","type":"image","title":"EcoCAR","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPhoto courtesy of EcoCAR Innovation Challenge\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776194341","gmt_created":"2026-04-14 19:19:01","changed":"1776194341","gmt_changed":"2026-04-14 19:19:01","alt":"EcoCAR","file":{"fid":"264174","name":"EcoCar-1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/14\/EcoCar-1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/14\/EcoCar-1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":11901428,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/14\/EcoCar-1.jpg?itok=oyxLcvMO"}}},"media_ids":["679949"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/strong-year-three-finish-sets-ecocar-team-final-push","title":"Strong Year Three Finish Sets Up EcoCAR Team for Final Push"},{"url":"https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/ecocar\/recruitment-info\/","title":"EcoCAR Team Website"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2084","name":"EcoCAR"},{"id":"13885","name":"College of Engineering; ECE; ME; ChemE; EcoCAR challenge"},{"id":"8673","name":"General Motors"},{"id":"74791","name":"electric vehicle"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689734":{"#nid":"689734","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech, The Coca-Cola Company Finalizing Agreement on North Avenue Property","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology and The Coca-Cola Company are finalizing an agreement for the Institute to purchase property along North Avenue, strengthening Georgia Tech\u2019s capacity to educate students, advance research, and serve communities across Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECoca-Cola, a neighbor to Georgia Tech since 1920, expects to sell a building and adjacent land in a transaction valued at $31.3 million. The company chose to work directly with Georgia Tech on the planned transaction, reflecting the long-standing relationship between the two organizations and a shared commitment to Atlanta\u2019s continued growth and innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe expected sale includes a two-story brick building, part of Coca-Cola\u2019s holdings since 1988, and an adjoining two-acre park along North Avenue.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis strategic addition to our core campus will support our growth in enrollment and research activity for years to come,\u201d said Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera. \u201cI appreciate our long relationship with The Coca-Cola Company that allowed us to pursue this opportunity as we continue to invest in our campus, our neighborhood, and Atlanta\u2019s innovation ecosystem.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJames Quincey, Coca-Cola\u2019s executive chair and Georgia Tech\u2019s 2020 Commencement speaker, said the company wanted the property to continue contributing to Atlanta\u2019s innovation ecosystem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen we decided this space was no longer needed for our corporate campus, our goal was to work with Georgia Tech, as this site offers a great opportunity for them to expand,\u201d Quincey said. \u201cCoca-Cola has a long legacy of involvement and partnership with Georgia Tech, and we are excited to see them redevelop this important area in Atlanta.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech will evaluate how the property can best support academic, research, and student needs as part of its long-term campus planning efforts. The acquisition represents a strategic step in ensuring Georgia Tech has the space needed to educate future leaders and advance research that strengthens Georgia\u2019s economy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute offers\u202fbusiness, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts,\u202fand sciences degrees, as well as professional development and K-12 programs for fostering success at every stage of life. Its more than 56,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 146 countries. They study at the main campus in Atlanta, at instructional sites around the world, and through distance and online learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout The Coca-Cola Company\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company\u2019s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference.\u0026nbsp;We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide.\u0026nbsp;Our portfolio\u0026nbsp;of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta.\u0026nbsp;Our water, sports, coffee, and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak, and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife, and Santa Clara. We\u2019re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people\u2019s lives, communities, and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices, and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.coca-colacompany.com\/\u0022\u003Ewww.coca-colacompany.com\u003C\/a\u003E and follow us on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thecocacolaco\/?hl=en\u0022\u003EInstagram\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCocaColaCo\/\u0022\u003EFacebook\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/the-coca-cola-company\u0022\u003ELinkedIn\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology and The Coca\u2011Cola Company are finalizing an agreement for the Institute to purchase property along North Avenue, pending approval by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. The $31.3 million acquisition of the vacant Two Coca\u2011Cola Plaza building and adjacent park would expand Georgia Tech\u2019s campus footprint, strengthen connections to nearby Institute\u2011owned property, and support the Institute\u2019s long\u2011term capacity to educate students, advance research, and serve communities across Georgia.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The agreement expands capacity for education and research, building on a century-long relationship between two Atlanta mainstays."}],"uid":"35797","created_gmt":"2026-04-14 14:39:41","changed_gmt":"2026-04-14 19:37:00","author":"Siobhan Rodriguez","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679941":{"id":"679941","type":"image","title":"ProjectMap_Final.png","body":null,"created":"1776177589","gmt_created":"2026-04-14 14:39:49","changed":"1776177589","gmt_changed":"2026-04-14 14:39:49","alt":"Map of the Coca cola property","file":{"fid":"264166","name":"ProjectMap_Final.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/14\/ProjectMap_Final.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/14\/ProjectMap_Final.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4017664,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/14\/ProjectMap_Final.png?itok=hEEWdvhT"}}},"media_ids":["679941"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"246","name":"Georgia Institute of Technology"},{"id":"195014","name":"The Coca\u2011Cola Company"},{"id":"2741","name":"coca-cola"},{"id":"195015","name":"North Avenue property"},{"id":"195016","name":"Atlanta campus expansion"},{"id":"195017","name":"property acquisition"},{"id":"195018","name":"real estate transaction"},{"id":"195019","name":"$31.3 million transaction"},{"id":"195020","name":"campus real estate deal"},{"id":"195021","name":"institutional land acquisition"},{"id":"489","name":"atlanta"},{"id":"166991","name":"midtown atlanta"},{"id":"12507","name":"North Avenue"},{"id":"342","name":"Georgia"},{"id":"195022","name":"core campus"},{"id":"195023","name":"two\u2011story brick building"},{"id":"195024","name":"two\u2011acre park"},{"id":"195025","name":"academic growth"},{"id":"195026","name":"research expansion"},{"id":"195027","name":"student needs"},{"id":"195028","name":"enrollment growth"},{"id":"195029","name":"long\u2011term campus planning"},{"id":"195030","name":"public research university"},{"id":"195031","name":"Atlanta innovation ecosystem"},{"id":"815","name":"economic development"},{"id":"195032","name":"university\u2011industry partnership"},{"id":"195033","name":"institutional investment"},{"id":"195034","name":"long\u2011standing partnership"},{"id":"195035","name":"corporate\u2013academic collaboration"},{"id":"189031","name":"Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera"},{"id":"195036","name":"Coca\u2011Cola Executive Chair James Quincey"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Media Relations\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["media@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689713":{"#nid":"689713","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Universities and U.K. Partners Strengthen Collaboration on Critical Minerals at GEMS\u20114 Symposium","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn February, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E, \u0026nbsp;together with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.uga.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gsu.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia State University\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgiamining.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Mining Association\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/world\/organisations\/british-consulate-general-atlanta\u0022\u003EBritish Consulate\u2011General Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E, hosted the fourth Growing Partnerships for Essential Minerals (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGEMs\u20114\u003C\/a\u003E) workshop in Atlanta. The workshop built on a growing transatlantic partnership dedicated to advancing innovation across the critical minerals value chain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;two\u2011day event took place Feb. 4 \u2013 5, coinciding with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.state.gov\/releases\/office-of-the-spokesperson\/2026\/02\/2026-critical-minerals-ministerial\u0022\u003ECritical Minerals Ministerial\u003C\/a\u003E hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 4, which brought together more than 50 nations to strengthen and diversify global critical mineral supply chains. During this ministerial, U.K. Minister Seema Malhotra and U.S. Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg signed a Critical Minerals Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening bilateral cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom on critical mineral supply chains.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese broad efforts are supported by White House Executive Order 14363, which defines the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/genesis.energy.gov\/\u0022\u003EGenesis Mission\u003C\/a\u003E and aims to accelerate scientific discovery through AI. The order identifies critical minerals supply chain resilience as a national security imperative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Atlanta, these themes were brought to life in real time. The GEMs-4 workshop brought together researchers, policymakers, national labs, industry leaders, and workforce organizations from both the U.S. and the U.K. to address shared challenges in technology translation, permitting, investment, and talent development.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe state of Georgia\u2019s integrated ecosystem, linking research universities, legacy industries, technical colleges, national labs, and public\u2011private partnerships, served as a case study. Presenters highlighted how existing industrial assets in the Southeast are being incorporated into emerging clean energy and critical minerals supply chains, offering a model for other regions seeking to build capabilities around extraction, processing, and manufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA U.K. member of Parliament representing Cornwall, where the U.K. has lithium reserves and deep critical mineral expertise, joined the convening, as well as representatives from the U.K. Critical Mineral Association, Camborne School of Mines, and the University of Kent. Together, they explored opportunities and challenges, from a fundamental science to a commercialization perspective grounded in real-world experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe alignment between the ministerial in Washington and the expertise present in Atlanta demonstrated the value of state-level engagement and how national agreements translate into practical collaboration on the ground.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Southeast has the research depth, industrial footprint, and collaborative spirit needed to lead in critical minerals innovation,\u201d\u0026nbsp;said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Power Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute, and founding director of the Center for Critical Mineral Solutions at Georgia Tech. \u201cGEMs\u20114 showed what\u2019s possible when universities, industry, and government partners align around shared priorities.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDay one featured strategic dialogue on critical mineral resources, innovation pathways, and partnership models. A recurring theme was the co-production of critical minerals alongside major mineral commodities. \u201cMany critical minerals are produced as byproducts of larger mining operations, making it essential to integrate recovery strategies into existing mineral industries rather than developing entirely new extraction systems,\u201d noted \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cas.gsu.edu\/profile\/w-crawford-elliott\/\u0022\u003ECrawford Elliott\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of geosciences at Georgia State University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDay two transitioned to field\u2011based learning, led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/geology.uga.edu\/directory\/people\/paul-schroeder\u0022\u003EPaul Schroeder\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of geology at the University of Georgia. Participants visited active operations to better understand how regional industrial strengths can support national and international supply chain goals. Schroeder said, \u201cConnecting people to the long-standing mineral extraction economy at the mining and plant sites, where the work gets done with an amazingly skilled workforce, underscores the unique role of Georgia\u2019s place\u2011based capacity in advancing national and transatlantic supply\u0026nbsp;chain goals.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrganizers emphasized that resilient supply chains rely on regional capabilities built over time through university collaboration, industry partnerships, and community engagement. With three years of inter\u2011university coordination now underpinning the GEMS platform, the 2026 workshop demonstrated how the Southeast is contributing actionable models for U.S.-U.K. cooperation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEcosystem-building at this scale requires participation from every part of the value chain, and we are encouraged by the model GEMs presents,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rachel-galloway-518014292\/\u0022\u003ERachel Galloway\u003C\/a\u003E, Consul General at British Consulate General Atlanta. \u201cThe collaboration across universities, industry, and government is exactly what enables long\u2011term impact on both sides of the Atlantic.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough focused dialogue and partnership-building, the symposium strengthened transatlantic collaboration, highlighted regional strengths, and accelerated innovation and translation across the critical minerals value chain, from resource characterization and processing to recycling, manufacturing, and deployment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more information about the GEMS initiative, visit: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn February, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E, \u0026nbsp;together with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.uga.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gsu.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia State University\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgiamining.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Mining Association\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/world\/organisations\/british-consulate-general-atlanta\u0022\u003EBritish Consulate\u2011General Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E, hosted the fourth Growing Partnerships for Essential Minerals (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGEMs\u20114\u003C\/a\u003E) workshop in Atlanta. The workshop built on a growing transatlantic partnership dedicated to advancing innovation across the critical minerals value chain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In February, the Georgia Institute of Technology,  together with the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, the Georgia Mining Association, and the British Consulate\u2011General Atlanta, hosted the fourth GEMs workshop."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-04-13 17:45:13","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 18:25:18","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679927":{"id":"679927","type":"image","title":"20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGroup photo of the attendees of the GEMs-4 symposium.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776102371","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:46:11","changed":"1776102371","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:46:11","alt":"Attendees of the GEMs-4 symposium","file":{"fid":"264149","name":"20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1521193,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/20260204_GEMs-IV-Group-Photo_LR.jpeg?itok=46uGjXAX"}},"679928":{"id":"679928","type":"image","title":"31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDay 2 of the symposium included a visit to a Georgia mining operation.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776102491","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:48:11","changed":"1776102491","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:48:11","alt":"Day 2 of the symposium included a visit to a Georgia mining operation","file":{"fid":"264150","name":"31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2766293,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/31932AB2-B646-4E29-9BEF-3FD7C6054815.JPG.jpeg?itok=6UE7bW0o"}},"679929":{"id":"679929","type":"image","title":"P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAttendees at the GEMs-4 workshop\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776103013","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","changed":"1776103013","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","alt":"Attendees at the GEMs-4 workshop","file":{"fid":"264151","name":"P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":672603,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003694-Attendees-LR.jpeg?itok=WORRhc1_"}},"679930":{"id":"679930","type":"image","title":"P1003821-panel.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECritical Mineral Significance and Resources Panel at the GEMs-4 symposium\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776103013","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","changed":"1776103013","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","alt":"Panelists discussing at the GEMs-4 symposium","file":{"fid":"264152","name":"P1003821-panel.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003821-panel.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003821-panel.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":614552,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003821-panel.jpeg?itok=wPJagMbS"}},"679931":{"id":"679931","type":"image","title":"P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAttendee asking a question to the panel at the GEMS-4 Symposium\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776103013","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","changed":"1776103013","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:56:53","alt":"Attendee asking a question to the panel at the GEMS-4 Symposium","file":{"fid":"264153","name":"P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":646826,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/P1003941-AttendeeQuestions.jpeg?itok=tVXDFwY1"}}},"media_ids":["679927","679928","679929","679930","679931"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sydnie.hammond@fcdo.gov.uk\u0022\u003ESydnie Hammond\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBritish Consulate-Atlanta\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ahead13@gsu.edu\u0022\u003EAmanda Head\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia State University\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Kay.Torrance@uga.edu\u0022\u003EKay Alison Torrance\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:leelemke@georgiamining.org\u0022\u003ELee Lemke\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia Mining Association\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689639":{"#nid":"689639","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Welcomes a Neuroethics Pioneer","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence has been touted as the most transformative technology of our time. With only a few years of mainstream use, it\u2019s changed how we work and communicate, generated billions of dollars in investments, and sparked global debate. But according to leading neuroethics expert \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dana.org\/article\/karen-rommelfanger-a-neuroscience-society-champion-of-ethics-and-inclusion\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKaren Rommelfanger\u003C\/a\u003E, the race isn\u2019t over yet.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCan you think of a more transformative technology than one that intervenes with the fundamental organ that drives your experience in the world?\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat fundamental organ is the brain.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnologies interfacing directly with the brain have been reserved for treating severe injury or disease for decades. Now, neurotechnology is expanding into brain-responsive wearables meant to enhance, augment, and monitor everyday life. As these technologies accelerate and AI is incorporated, the question is no longer \u003Cem\u003Eif \u003C\/em\u003Eneurotechnology will transform society, but \u003Cem\u003Ehow \u003C\/em\u003E\u2014 and who will shape the boundaries.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are some of the questions on which Karen Rommelfanger has built her career. Trained as a biomedical researcher and neuroscientist, Rommelfanger went on to found the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/instituteofneuroethics.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroethics\u003C\/a\u003E, the world\u2019s first think and do tank devoted entirely to neuroethics, public engagement, and policy implementation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe brain is special; it\u2019s central to who we are,\u201d says Rommelfanger, who was also an inaugural recipient of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dana.org\/article\/dana-foundation-recognizes-two-neuroscience-society-champions-with-inaugural-awards\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDana Foundation Neuroscience and Society Award\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cAnd that means when you intervene with the brain, there are unique responsibilities. The field of neuroethics addresses things like: How do you ensure mental privacy? How do you protect free will? How do you ensure that people have the power to be narrators of their own lives and their cognitive experience?\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, Rommelfanger is joining Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS) as a professor of the practice, where she will work to further embed neuroethics into Georgia Tech\u2019s research and technology development ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech is producing the next generation of neurotechnologists, and Karen\u2019s expertise will help ensure we\u2019re preparing them to think about societal impact as deeply as they think about the technical and scientific aspects of their work,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/christopher-john-rozell\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChristopher Rozell\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of INNS. \u201cHer leadership strengthens the Institute in exactly the way this moment in neurotechnology demands.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech has many, many ways that it leads in the technology ecosystem. But one of the powerful, unique ways it can lead is through neurotechnology,\u201d says Rommelfanger. \u201cI hope that the INNS, given its unique mandate for neuroscience, neurotechnology, and society, can be a lighthouse for these types of conversations.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENeuroethics by Design\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom institutional review boards to mandatory responsible research conduct training, ethics are a foundational part of scientific research. But designing neurotechnologies raises ethical challenges beyond the scope of typical training. What happens when discoveries leave the lab and enter people\u2019s lives?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat question sits at the core of Rommelfanger\u2019s work. She argues it\u2019s a neurotechnologist\u2019s responsibility to recognize and proactively address the need for unique safeguards for privacy, autonomy, and long-term responsibility. Her solution is to move neuroethics upstream, embedding it directly into the research, design, and deployment of neurotechnology through an approach she calls \u201cneuroethics by design.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNeuroethics by design considers ethics as a core criterion where principles can drive innovation with more of a lens toward societal outcomes,\u201d she says \u2014 an approach informed by years of advising national-level brain research initiatives and her experience at the intersection of clinical practice and ethics scholarship.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERather than treating ethics as a compliance checklist or a post hoc review, neuroethics by design integrates ethical thinking throughout the entire innovation lifecycle, from early ideation and research questions to product requirements, governance strategies, and long-term sustainability. She has used the approach for years as an embedded partner for neurotechnology startups in her neuroethics consultancy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ningenstrategy.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENingen Co-Lab\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter decades as a traditional academic professor and then years advising companies and policymakers with this philosophy, Rommelfanger says Georgia Tech is the right place to scale this work. With its strength in neurotechnology and INNS\u2019s rare focus on neuroscience\u003Cem\u003E and\u003C\/em\u003E society, \u201cI could not think of a better place to launch and pilot this neuroethics by design scaling effort.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe will work with INNS to help equip researchers, students, and industry partners with practical tools for ethical decision-making. Her vision is not to create neuroethicists as a standalone profession, but to cultivate ethically engaged neurotechnologists and engineers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECentral to her plans at INNS are hands-on training programs that bring ethics out of the abstract and into practice. \u201cI wanted to be a professor of the practice because, while the field does need more scholars, what it really needs most at this point are practitioners.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERommelfanger is exploring modular content that can be embedded into existing courses across disciplines, as well as immersive training \u2014 such as neuroethics boot camps and problem-solving hackathons \u2014 that bring together students, faculty, and professionals to tackle real-world challenges collaboratively.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNo one discipline can solve all the ethical challenges ahead,\u201d says Rommelfanger. She is particularly interested in creating spaces where experts from across science and engineering, policy and law, design and the arts, and philosophy can work side by side with people with lived experience of neurological conditions. \u201cThe onus is not on scientists alone, but is a shared responsibility that benefits immensely from dialogue, accountability, and action across diverse communities.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy situating neuroethics within Georgia Tech\u2019s broader research ecosystem, Rommelfanger hopes INNS can help shift how the field evolves globally.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u0027s really difficult to get your arms around something once it\u0027s out of the gate,\u201d she says, citing the rapid adoption of AI without proper ethical or policy guidelines. \u201cWith neurotechnology, we still have a little bit of time, but not that much time. We are at that moment where we could change the course of global history.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs brain interfacing tools move out of the lab and into everyday life, Karen Rommelfanger is bringing her global neuroethics expertise to Georgia Tech to prepare the next generation of ethical innovators.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As brain interfacing tools move out of the lab and into everyday life, Karen Rommelfanger is bringing her global neuroethics expertise to Georgia Tech to prepare the next generation of ethical innovators."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2026-04-13 15:20:52","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 17:46:36","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679924":{"id":"679924","type":"image","title":"Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKaren Rommelfanger recently joined Georgia Tech as a professor of the practice, where she will work with the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society to embed neuroethics into Georgia Tech\u2019s research and technology development ecosystem. Photo via the Dana Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776101751","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:35:51","changed":"1776102415","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:46:55","alt":"Karen Rommelfanger smiling in a warmly lit room. A window and brick wall are visible behind her.","file":{"fid":"264146","name":"Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":101822,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg?itok=uivAseBV"}},"679926":{"id":"679926","type":"image","title":"BrainMind.JPG","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKaren Rommelfanger (left) is a leading voice in neuroethics, with years of experience bridging neuroscience, technology development, ethics, and public policy to address the societal impacts of emerging brain technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776101944","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:39:04","changed":"1776101944","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:39:04","alt":"Seated on the left, Karen Rommelfanger speaks on a panel at the 2026 Asilomar for the Brain and Mind conference. Panelists sit on stage in front of a large screen displaying the conference name, dates, and a brain-themed graphic, with an audience visible in the foreground.","file":{"fid":"264148","name":"BrainMind.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/BrainMind.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/BrainMind.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":167461,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/BrainMind.JPG?itok=HALewFCU"}}},"media_ids":["679924","679926"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/lab-life-inside-institute-neuroscience-neurotechnology-and-society","title":"From Lab to Life: Inside the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)"},{"url":"https:\/\/dana.org\/article\/karen-rommelfanger-a-neuroscience-society-champion-of-ethics-and-inclusion\/","title":"Karen Rommelfanger: A Neuroscience \u0026 Society Champion of Ethics and Inclusion"},{"url":"https:\/\/dana.org\/article\/why-neuroethics-matters-in-the-age-of-brain-technology\/","title":"Why Neuroethics Matters in the Age of Brain Technology: A Conversation with Karen Rommelfanger"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"194610","name":"National Interests\/National Security"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687882":{"#nid":"687882","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Iran\u2019s Latest Internet Blackout Extends to Phones and Starlink","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Iranian regime\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/iran-protests-economy-starlink-internet-disconnect-8d944601e7bfeae6753ec0645f5a7139\u0022\u003Einternet shutdown\u003C\/a\u003E, initiated on Jan. 8, 2026, has severely diminished the flow of information out of the country. Without internet access, little news about the national protests that flared \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/world\/middle-east\/irans-heavy-crackdown-quells-protests-8e757172\u0022\u003Ebetween Dec. 30, 2025, and Jan. 13, 2026\u003C\/a\u003E, and the regime\u2019s violent crackdown has reached the world. Many digital rights and internet monitoring groups have assessed the current shutdown to be the most sophisticated and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/5d848323-84a9-4512-abd2-dd09e0a786a3\u0022\u003Emost severe in Iran\u2019s history\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe are a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=WBRatTAAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Esocial scientist\u003C\/a\u003E and two \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=NLeeizQAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Ecomputer scientists\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inetintel.cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EInternet Intelligence Lab\u003C\/a\u003E who \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=oZNdAREAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Estudy internet connectivity\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu\/dashboard\u0022\u003EInternet Outage Detection and Analysis\u003C\/a\u003E project, we have been measuring internet connectivity globally since 2011. The project was motivated by the internet shutdowns during the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Arab-Spring\u0022\u003EArab Spring\u003C\/a\u003E mass protests that began in December 2010 against Middle Eastern and North African regimes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project provides a public dashboard of internet connectivity measurements. Its long view of global internet connectivity offers insight into the Iranian regime\u2019s developing sophistication in controlling information and shutting down the internet in the country.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur measurements show that Iran has been in a complete internet shutdown since Jan. 8. This is longer than the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/ioda.live\/post\/3mcigxurkms2w\u0022\u003E48\u00bd-hour\u003C\/a\u003E shutdown in June 2025 during the Israel-Iran war and surpasses the duration of the November 2019 shutdown that lasted almost seven days. Compared to the two weeks of nightly mobile phone network shutdowns in September to October of 2022 during the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/en\/stories\/2025\/04\/justice-and-accountability-woman-life-freedom-protests\u0022\u003EWomen, Life, Freedom protests\u003C\/a\u003E, this shutdown is more complete by also closing down fixed-line connectivity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMeasuring Internet Connectivity\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Internet Outage Detection and Analysis project measures global internet connectivity through three signals related to internet infrastructure: routing announcements, active probing and internet background noise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECore routers, unlike the router in your home, are responsible for directing traffic to and from networks. Routing announcements are how they communicate with each other. If a nation\u2019s network of routers stop making these announcements, the network will disappear from the global internet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe also measure the responsiveness of networks through probing. To create the probing signal, we continuously ping devices in millions of networks around the globe. Most devices are designed to automatically respond to these pings by echoing them back to the sender. We collect these responses and label networks as \u201cconnected\/active.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA tool we use dubbed \u201cnetwork telescope\u201d captures internet background noise \u2013 traffic generated by hundreds of thousands of internet hosts worldwide. A drop in this signal can indicate an outage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022rmQfn\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/rmQfn\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA History of Shutdowns\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first nationwide shutdown that the Internet Outage Detection and Analysis project observed in Iran was during the \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/03068374.2020.1712889\u0022\u003EBloody November\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d uprising that happened in 2019. During that shutdown, the primary method the regime used was turning off routing announcements, which stopped all traffic between routers. This is a blunt force tool that makes the internet essentially go dark; no connectivity is possible for affected networks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, our measurement \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ooni.org\/post\/2019-iran-internet-blackout\/#connecting-to-the-internet-from-iran\u0022\u003Ereporting showed differences\u003C\/a\u003E in signal-drop patterns among the three data sources we track. These patterns demonstrate the regime\u2019s adoption of diverse disconnection mechanisms and large differences in the timing of disconnection by various Iranian internet service providers (ISPs).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis reporting also showed evidence that the 2019 blackout was not complete and some people were able to circumvent it. Nevertheless, as documented by Amnesty International, the internet darkness created a \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iran-shutdown.amnesty.org\/\u0022\u003Eweb of impunity\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d that allowed the regime to violate international human rights law without any accountability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn September 2022, the Women, Life, Freedom protests erupted after the killing of Mahsa Amini in state custody. To suppress the nationwide mobilization without exacting a high cost, the Iranian regime implemented \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu\/reports\/technical-multi-stakeholder-report-on-internet-shutdowns-the-case-of-iran-amid-autumn-2022-protests\/\u0022\u003Enightly shutdowns affecting only mobile networks\u003C\/a\u003E. Keeping fixed-line internet connections online limited the impact of these shutdowns to mitigate the economic, political and social costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese nightly internet curfews lasted about two weeks. During this time the regime implemented other forms of censorship, specifically blocking applications to further control the information environment and to prevent access to technologies for circumventing censorship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn June 2025, the Israel-Iran war began and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/youtu.be\/jbC5bDV-rnA?si=twSnL8M7azOmj0Hn\u0026amp;t=73\u0022\u003Ewe observed\u003C\/a\u003E initial degradation in internet connectivity, which often occurs during times of conflict, when internet and power infrastructure are affected by missile attacks. The Iranian regime shut down the internet over four days, citing national security as its rationale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat time, the regime did not use routing announcements to implement the shutdown. Our measurement data shows that routing announcements were largely unaffected. Instead, the Iranian regime implemented the shutdown by interfering with key protocols that allow the internet to function, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/deploy360\/tls\/basics\/\u0022\u003Etransport layer security\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-is-dns-a-computer-engineer-explains-this-foundational-piece-of-the-web-and-why-its-the-internets-achilles-heel-268336\u0022\u003Edomain name system\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe regime used these techniques to shut off Iran\u2019s connectivity with the global internet while allowing specific, sanctioned access in a policy called whitelisting. This strategy shows an increased sophistication in how the Iranian regime implements shutdowns and controls the flow of information.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrganizations that support digital human rights in Iran report that some Iranians were \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/filter.watch\/english\/2025\/10\/02\/irans-stealth-blackout-a-multi-stakeholder-analysis-of-the-june-2025-internet-shutdown\/\u0022\u003Eable to circumvent the shutdown\u003C\/a\u003E using virtual private networks and various censorship-resilient technologies such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/P2P\u0022\u003Epeer-to-peer networks\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2Yaoqdw2cwg?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThe Iranian regime has targeted Starlink satellite internet service in its internet shutdown.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EJan. 8, 2026\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn Dec. 30, 2025, the Internet Outage Detection and Analysis project team received reports of internet disruptions amid the start of nationwide protests. At 8 p.m. Iran Standard Time on Jan. 8, 2026, the Iranian regime shut down the internet. Our measurements \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu\/country\/IR?from=1765814823\u0026amp;until=1768406823\u0026amp;view=view1\u0022\u003Eshow a nominal amount of responsiveness\u003C\/a\u003E to our active probing, about 3%. This small amount could be an artifact of our measurements or lingering connectivity for whitelisted access, for example for Iranian government officials and services.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOutside of very limited whitelisted connectivity, digital human rights groups reported severely limited access to the internet both internationally and domestically. According to digital rights group \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ainita.net\/\u0022\u003EProject Ainita\u003C\/a\u003E, the Iranian regime implemented the shutdown by interfering with transport layer security and the domain name system. In addition, landline phone calls have been only intermittently available.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAside from these more sophisticated techniques, this shutdown evokes the Bloody November shutdown of 2019 in that it has been ordered during a time of protest \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.en-hrana.org\/day-seventeen-of-irans-protests-continued-internet-shutdown-spike-in-figures-and-intensifying-global-reactions\/\u0022\u003Ewith mass civilian casualties\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EJammed Satellites\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, low Earth orbit satellite services, such as Starlink, can help people maintain internet connectivity during outages and government-ordered shutdowns. These satellite services can allow users to bypass damaged or state-censored terrestrial internet infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, accessing the internet via satellite services during a shutdown is not without risk. User terminals communicate with satellites via radio frequency links that can be detected through surveillance, for example from planes or drones, potentially exposing users\u2019 locations and putting them at risk of being identified. Currently, the Iranian regime is using jammers to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/filter.watch\/english\/2026\/01\/13\/network-monitoring-january-2025-internet-repression-in-times-of-protest\/\u0022\u003Edegrade the Starlink connection\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most significant barriers to connecting users in Iran to satellite services is a logistical one. Providing connectivity via Starlink\u2019s service would require distributing a large number of user terminals within the country, a feat that would be difficult because the devices are likely to be considered illegal contraband by the government. This severely limits the scale at which such services can be adopted.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecent technological developments, however, may partially mitigate this challenge. Starlink\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/starlink.com\/business\/direct-to-cell\u0022\u003Edirect-to-cell\u003C\/a\u003E capability, which aims to provide LTE cellular connectivity directly to ordinary cellphones, could reduce dependence on specialized hardware. If they become widely available, such systems would allow users to connect using common devices already in circulation, sidestepping one of the most difficult barriers to providing connectivity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike other radio-based communications, however, direct-to-cell connectivity would remain \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/15\/technology\/iran-online-starlink.html\u0022\u003Evulnerable to signal jamming\u003C\/a\u003E and other forms of electronic interference by the government.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the time being, the Iranian regime controls the country\u2019s internet infrastructure, which means it still has a virtual off switch.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/273439\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/irans-latest-internet-blackout-extends-to-phones-and-starlink-273439\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Iranian regime\u2019s internet shutdown, initiated on Jan. 8, 2026, has severely diminished the flow of information out of the country.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Iranian regime\u2019s internet shutdown, initiated on Jan. 8, 2026, has severely diminished the flow of information out of the country. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-01-16 13:52:41","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 15:34:26","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679144":{"id":"679144","type":"image","title":"Protesters have filled the streets in Iranian cities, but the regime\u2019s internet shutdown means little news gets in or out of the country. MAHSA\/Middle East Images\/AFP via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProtesters have filled the streets in Iranian cities, but the regime\u2019s internet shutdown means little news gets in or out of the country. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/iranians-gather-while-blocking-a-street-during-a-protest-in-news-photo\/2254948920\u0022\u003EMAHSA\/Middle East Images\/AFP via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770040671","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 13:57:51","changed":"1770040671","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 13:57:51","alt":"Protesters have filled the streets in Iranian cities, but the regime\u2019s internet shutdown means little news gets in or out of the country. MAHSA\/Middle East Images\/AFP via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"263267","name":"file-20260114-66-h9x7xx.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/file-20260114-66-h9x7xx.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/file-20260114-66-h9x7xx.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":519973,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/file-20260114-66-h9x7xx.jpg?itok=4IKLToyJ"}}},"media_ids":["679144"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/irans-latest-internet-blackout-extends-to-phones-and-starlink-273439","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/amanda-meng-2566155\u0022\u003EAmanda Meng\u003C\/a\u003E, Senior Research Scientist, College of Computing, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/alberto-dainotti-2566173\u0022\u003EAlberto Dainotti\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Professor of Computer Science, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/zachary-bischof-2566170\u0022\u003EZachary Bischof\u003C\/a\u003E, Senior Research Scientist, College of Computing, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689379":{"#nid":"689379","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Study Measures Titanium in Apollo Rock to Uncover Moon\u2019s Early\u00a0Chemistry","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Earth and the Moon may look very different today, but they formed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/the-moon-might-be-older-than-scientists-previously-thought-a-new-study-shines-light-on-its-history-246085\u0022\u003Eunder similar conditions\u003C\/a\u003E in space. In fact, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-the-moon-formed-new-research-133204\u0022\u003Ea dominant hypothesis\u003C\/a\u003E says that the early Earth was hit by a Mars-sized object, and it was this giant impact that spun off material to form the Moon. But unlike Earth, the Moon lacks \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/education.nationalgeographic.org\/resource\/plate-tectonics\/\u0022\u003Eplate tectonics\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/climate-explained-why-carbon-dioxide-has-such-outsized-influence-on-earths-climate-123064\u0022\u003Ean atmosphere\u003C\/a\u003E capable of reshaping its surface and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.cornell.edu\/stories\/2021\/11\/recycling-tectonic-plates-key-driver-earths-oxygen-budget\u0022\u003Erecycling elements such as oxygen\u003C\/a\u003E over billions of years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a result, the Moon preserves a record of the geological conditions that helped shape it and can give scientists insight into the world we live in today. Rocks that were formed during early volcanic activity on the Moon offer a window into events that occurred nearly 4 billion years ago. By uncovering the conditions under which the Moon\u2019s rocks formed, scientists move closer to understanding the origins of our own planet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-026-69770-w\u0022\u003EIn a study\u003C\/a\u003E published March 2026 in the journal Nature Communications, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/clever.research.gatech.edu\/the-team\/\u0022\u003Eour team of physicists and geoscientists\u003C\/a\u003E investigated \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.webmineral.com\/data\/Ilmenite.shtml\u0022\u003Eilmenite\u003C\/a\u003E, a mineral composed of iron, titanium and oxygen, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/lunar\/samples\/atlas\/compendium\/75035.pdf\u0022\u003Ein a Moon rock\u003C\/a\u003E crystallized from an ancient lunar magma. We used \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nrl.navy.mil\/nanoscience\/\u0022\u003Ecutting-edge electron microscopy\u003C\/a\u003E to probe the chemical signature of titanium in this ilmenite, finding that about 15% of the titanium carries less of an electrical charge than expected.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center \u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022An illustration of the rock on the Moon, an atomic image of the sample, and of trivalent titanium chemical signature.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/726541\/original\/file-20260326-57-w0e8yb.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/726541\/original\/file-20260326-57-w0e8yb.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=265\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/726541\/original\/file-20260326-57-w0e8yb.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=265\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/726541\/original\/file-20260326-57-w0e8yb.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=265\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/726541\/original\/file-20260326-57-w0e8yb.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=333\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/726541\/original\/file-20260326-57-w0e8yb.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=333\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/726541\/original\/file-20260326-57-w0e8yb.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=333\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThis illustration shows the rock on the Moon, as well as an atomic image of the sample\u2019s crystal structure and a representation of the chemical signature of trivalent titanium.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EAugust Davis\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EImplications of Trivalent Titanium\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn ilmenite, an atom of titanium typically loses four electrons when bonding with oxygen, resulting in a positive charge of 4+, known as the atom\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/oxidation-number\u0022\u003Eoxidation number\u003C\/a\u003E. From the sample we studied, a rock collected during the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/apollo-17\/\u0022\u003EApollo 17 mission\u003C\/a\u003E, we found that some of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/titanium\/Compounds\u0022\u003Etitanium\u003C\/a\u003E in ilmenite actually has a charge of only 3+, referred to as trivalent titanium. Our measurement of trivalent titanium confirms what geologists had long suspected: that some titanium in lunar ilmenite exists in a lower charge state.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETrivalent titanium occurs only when \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.elementsmagazine.org\/redox-engine-of-earth\/\u0022\u003Ethe amount of oxygen available for chemical reactions\u003C\/a\u003E is low. Thus, the abundance of trivalent titanium in ilmenite could tell us about the relative availability of oxygen in the Moon\u2019s interior when the rock formed, around 3.8 billion years ago.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Link to the Moon\u2019s Early Chemistry\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur team has closely studied only one Moon rock so far, but from published studies we have identified more than 500 analyses of lunar ilmenite that could contain trivalent titanium. Studying these samples could reveal new details about how the Moon\u2019s chemistry varies across different locations and time periods.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile our work highlights a link based on prior studies, the relationship between trivalent titanium in ilmenite and oxygen availability has not yet been quantified with targeted experimental data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy conducting experiments that explore that link, ilmenite could reveal more details about the Moon\u2019s interior. We also expect this relationship to apply to other planets and asteroids that don\u2019t contain much chemically available oxygen, relative to Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat\u2019s Next?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese methods can be used to study many Moon rocks collected during the Apollo missions over 50 years ago, as well as future samples from upcoming \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-ii\/\u0022\u003EArtemis missions\u003C\/a\u003E, or rocks collected from the far side of the Moon, returned in 2024 by China\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.planetary.org\/space-missions\/change-6\u0022\u003EChang\u2019e-6 mission\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/emilyfirst.com\/\u0022\u003Eour team members\u003C\/a\u003E plans to use their \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/emilyfirst.com\/research\/\u0022\u003Enew experimental lab\u003C\/a\u003E to explore how oxygen availability in magma affects the abundance of trivalent titanium in ilmenite. With experiments like this that build off our findings, we could potentially use ilmenite to reconstruct the history of ancient magmas from the Moon.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe believe future studies of lunar rocks using advanced scientific methods are essential for revealing the chemical conditions present on the ancient Moon. They could offer clues not only to its own history but also to the earliest chapters of Earth\u2019s past \u2013 records that have since been erased from Earth.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/278721\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/new-study-measures-titanium-in-apollo-rock-to-uncover-moons-early-chemistry-278721\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy uncovering the conditions under which the Moon\u2019s rocks formed, scientists move closer to understanding the origins of our own planet.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By uncovering the conditions under which the Moon\u2019s rocks formed, scientists move closer to understanding the origins of our own planet."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-27 13:21:18","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 15:33:52","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679828":{"id":"679828","type":"image","title":"The Camelot crater in the Moon\u2019s Taurus-Littrow Valley is where the sample containing trivalent titanium was found. NASA\/Apollo 17: AS17-145-22159","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Camelot crater in the Moon\u2019s Taurus-Littrow Valley is where the sample containing trivalent titanium was found. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/projectapolloarchive\/21041121594\u0022\u003ENASA\/Apollo 17: AS17-145-22159\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775136177","gmt_created":"2026-04-02 13:22:57","changed":"1775136177","gmt_changed":"2026-04-02 13:22:57","alt":"The Camelot crater in the Moon\u2019s Taurus-Littrow Valley is where the sample containing trivalent titanium was found. NASA\/Apollo 17: AS17-145-22159","file":{"fid":"264032","name":"file-20260326-57-nv1xsh.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/file-20260326-57-nv1xsh.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/file-20260326-57-nv1xsh.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":428208,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/02\/file-20260326-57-nv1xsh.jpg?itok=vsNPr9q4"}}},"media_ids":["679828"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/new-study-measures-titanium-in-apollo-rock-to-uncover-moons-early-chemistry-278721","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/advik-d-vira-2626787\u0022\u003EAdvik D. Vira\u003C\/a\u003E, Graduate Student in Physics, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/emily-first-2633204\u0022\u003EEmily First\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor of Geology, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/macalester-college-2632\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMacalester College\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"524121":{"#nid":"524121","#data":{"type":"news","title":"What Not to Wear: Commencement Edition\u2026and Other Tips For Your Graduation Day","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWith \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/commencement.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECommencement\u003C\/a\u003E right around the corner, many of you already know what you\u2019re going to wear. Some of you may have planned your outfits months ago. Hopefully you\u0027ve at least taken your regalia out of the plastic to let the wrinkles fall out.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is no official Commencement dress code, but for those who are still scrambling for picture-perfect attire, here are some practical tips to help dress and prep for the big day.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESpring 2026 Commencement is a rain or shine event. Graduates and guests are advised to monitor the weather forecast and dress as needed. Each ceremony is expected to last between one to two and a half hours. For directions between venues throughout the weekend, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/map.gatech.edu\/?id=82#!ct\/15646,74520,74521,74522,75326?s\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Evisit the Georgia Tech map\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commencement.gatech.edu\/events-schedule\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESpring 2026 Commencement Ceremony Schedule\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommencement Dress DO\u2019s:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeave bags at home.\u003C\/strong\u003E If you must have a bag, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ramblinwreck.com\/clearbag\/\u0022\u003Emake it clear\u003C\/a\u003E. Commencement events at both Bobby Dodd Stadium and McCamish Pavilion are subject to the venue\u2019s clear bag policy. See the full policy at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ramblinwreck.com\/clearbag\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eramblinwreck.com\/clearbag\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETravel light. \u003C\/strong\u003EThis will save you the hassle of carrying a bag at all or leaving your bag at bag valet. If you\u2019re wearing a dress or skirt, try to find one with pockets to carry small items such as keys or your phone.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDress comfortably.\u003C\/strong\u003E You may be at the event for up to three and a half hours. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you\u2019re dressed comfortably enough for both. Consider light layers depending on the weather \u2014 a coat may be bulky, but if your ceremony is outdoors, you will want to stay warm. Hand warmers are also a good idea.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBachelor\u2019s and Ph.D. graduates will process in front of the stage as their names are called, so be sure you can walk in your shoes. If you\u2019re wearing pants, consider lighter colors to contrast with your regalia. If you\u2019re planning to wear heels, consult the \u201cdon\u2019t wear new shoes\u201d section, and consider a low heel (and that you\u2019ll be walking on uneven turf or flooring).\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESuggest that your guests dress business casual. \u003C\/strong\u003EAlthough there is no dress code, many guests like to dress up for this special day. Parents and alumni can often be seen donning Tech colors and gear, and sometimes international guests wear their country\u2019s traditional dress clothes. Tell them about the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ramblinwreck.com\/clearbag.\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eclear bag entry policy\u003C\/a\u003E so they, too, can plan accordingly.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhatever you choose to wear, the photos you take will be around for a while, so pick something you won\u2019t mind seeing a few years down the road. When in doubt, you can\u2019t go wrong with white and gold.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommencement Dress DON\u2019Ts:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon\u2019t think that because you\u2019re wearing a robe it doesn\u2019t matter what you\u2019re wearing underneath.\u003C\/strong\u003E Throughout the day you\u2019ll be taking numerous photos, and you may at some point want to take off your regalia.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon\u2019t wear new shoes.\u003C\/strong\u003E Commencement is not the day to break in new shoes. Another tip: Don\u2019t wear high heels if you are not used to walking in them. On your walk across the stage you should be focusing on the moment you\u2019ve been waiting for during the past four (or five) years, not worrying about tripping.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon\u2019t spend too much time styling your hair.\u003C\/strong\u003E Keep in mind you\u2019ll be wearing a graduation cap for a few hours. If you\u2019re planning an elaborate hairstyle, try it out with your cap before graduation day to make sure that the cap still sits properly.\u0026nbsp;Bobby pins can help to secure your cap if it feels loose.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon\u2019t make your mortar board too epic\u003C\/strong\u003E. Remember that someone has to sit behind you, and if you adorn your cap with anything 3D, try to keep it no more than an inch or two off the board.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon\u2019t forget your regalia. \u003C\/strong\u003EMake sure you have your cap, gown, tassel, cords, and stole (and hood, for graduate students). There will not be extras at the venue, and regalia is required for participating in Commencement. And, don\u2019t wait until Commencement day to unwrap it. Take it out of the plastic, make sure you have it all, and hang it up to let some of the wrinkles fall out. If you\u2019re feeling ambitious, give it a steam.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOther Commencement Tips:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESet an alarm, especially for morning ceremonies\u003C\/strong\u003E. Doors will open one hour before the start of the ceremony. Graduates should report to the venue 45 minutes prior to ceremony start. Set your alarm and have a buddy system to make sure you wake up. (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commencement.gatech.edu\/events-schedule\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESee the full Commencement schedule\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECharge your phone\u003C\/strong\u003E. Bachelor\u2019s and Ph.D. graduates will scan a virtual name card (StagePass) as they walk to the stage to have their names called, and you will want to find family members after the ceremony. Master\u2019s graduates will scan their StagePass during their college ceremony. Bring a phone with a full charge. Pro tip: take a screen shot of your StagePass before you arrive. Better yet, print your StagePass and never worry about your phone\u2019s battery life. (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9HE6xUoiMb8\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELearn more about how StagePass works\u003C\/a\u003E)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStay hydrated and take a bathroom break before you arrive. \u003C\/strong\u003ETry to be well-rested, fed, hydrated, and prepared to sit through the ceremony.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPlan in advance where to meet your guests after the ceremony.\u003C\/strong\u003E For bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s graduates, there is no formal processional in or out of the venue. Suggest a specific meeting spot beforehand, ideally a bit away from the venue, to ensure you are not lost in the crowd and can find family members to reunite easily.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESend your guests parking information.\u003C\/strong\u003E Note available parking areas at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commencement.gatech.edu\/venue-parking\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecommencement.gatech.edu\/venue-parking\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost importantly, remember to enjoy the day and reflect on all that you\u2019ve achieved at Georgia Tech. Congratulations, graduates!\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor those still scrambling for the picture-perfect Commencement attire, here are some helpful tips.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"For those who are still scrambling for the picture-perfect Commencement attire, here are some tips to help out."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2017-04-25 18:16:10","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 15:25:16","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/commencement.gatech.edu\/","title":"Commencement Website"},{"url":"https:\/\/commencement.gatech.edu\/venue-information","title":"Venue Information"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"627","name":"commencement"},{"id":"629","name":"graduation"},{"id":"167378","name":"special events"},{"id":"166847","name":"students"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kristen.bailey@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EKristen Bailey\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpecial Events\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:events@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eevents@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689636":{"#nid":"689636","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Bad Vibes: AI-Generated Code is Vulnerable, Researchers Warn","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EVibe coding programmers are releasing batches of vulnerable code, according to researchers at the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy (SCP) at Georgia Tech, who have scanned over 43,000 security advisories across the web.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe programming style relies on using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create software code using tools like Claude, Gemini, and GitHub Copilot. According to graduate research assistant \u003Cstrong\u003EHanqing Zhao\u003C\/strong\u003E of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gts3.org\/\u0022\u003ESystems Software \u0026amp; Security Lab\u003C\/a\u003E (SSLab), no one had been tracking these common vulnerabilities and exposures before the launch of their \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vibe-radar-ten.vercel.app\/\u0022\u003EVibe Security Radar\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe vulnerabilities we found lead to breaches,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone is using these tools now. We need a feedback loop to identify which tools, which patterns, and which workflows create the most risk.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe radar extensively scans public vulnerability databases, finds the error for each vulnerability, and then examines the code\u2019s history to find who introduced the bug. If they discover an AI tool\u0027s signature, the radar flags it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf the 74 confirmed cases uncovered so far by the tool, 14 are critical risks, and 25 are high. These vulnerabilities include command injection, authentication bypass, and server-side request forgery. Zhao explained that since AI models tend to repeat the same mistakes, an attacker would need to find these bugs just once.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMillions of developers using the same models means the same bugs showing up across different projects,\u201d he said. \u201cFind one pattern in one AI codebase, you can scan for it across thousands of repositories.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite its success, the team has only scratched the surface of the problem. The radar can trace metadata like co-author tags, bot emails, and other known tool signatures, but it can\u0027t identify an issue if these markers have been removed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe next step is behavioral detection. AI-written code has patterns in how it names variables, structures functions, and handles errors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u0027re building models that can identify AI code from the code itself, no metadata needed,\u201d said Zhao. \u201cThat opens up a lot of cases we currently can\u0027t touch.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team is also improving its verification pipeline and expanding its sources to include more vulnerability databases. The goal is to get a more complete picture of AI-introduced vulnerabilities across open source, not just the ones that happen to leave signatures behind.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs more programmers rely on vibe coding, Zhao warns that it still needs to be reviewed as thoroughly as any other project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe whole point of vibe coding is not reading it afterward, I know,\u201d he said. \u201cBut if you\u0027re shipping AI output to production, review it the way you\u0027d review a junior developer\u0027s pull request. Especially anything around input handling and authentication.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen prompting AI, SSLab also recommends providing more detailed instructions to get it closer to production-ready. There are also tools to check the code for vulnerabilities after \u0026nbsp;code it has been generated. Not double-checking could lead to a catastrophe.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe attack surface keeps growing,\u201d said Zhao. \u201cMore people running AI agents locally means the attacker doesn\u0027t need to break into the company infrastructure. They just need one vulnerability in a model context protocol server that someone installed and never reviewed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne reason the attack surfaces are expanding rapidly is AI\u2019s evolution. In the second half of 2025, the Vibe Security Radar found about 18 cases across seven months. Then, in the first three months of 2026, it identified 56. March 2026 alone had 35, more than all of 2025 combined.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany tools, like Claude, are now more autonomous, allowing developers to write entire features, create files, and even make architecture decisions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen an agent builds something without authentication, that\u0027s not a typo,\u201d said Zhao. \u201cIt\u0027s a design flaw baked in from the start. Claude Code and Copilot together account for most of what we detect, but that\u0027s partly because they leave the clearest signatures.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at the Georgia Tech School of Cybersecurity and Privacy are uncovering a growing risk in modern software development: vulnerabilities introduced by AI-generated code.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing the Vibe Security Radar, the team analyzed more than 43,000 security advisories and identified dozens of confirmed vulnerabilities tied to tools like GitHub Copilot, Claude, and Gemini\u2014including critical flaws such as authentication bypass and command injection.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at the Georgia Tech School of Cybersecurity and Privacy are uncovering a growing risk in modern software development: vulnerabilities introduced by AI-generated code."}],"uid":"36253","created_gmt":"2026-04-13 14:32:02","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 14:44:00","author":"John Popham","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679920":{"id":"679920","type":"image","title":"Vibe-Coding.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776090752","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 14:32:32","changed":"1776090752","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 14:32:32","alt":"A man typing on a computer. There is a hovering screen hovering over his hands that says \u0022Vibe Coding\u0022","file":{"fid":"264142","name":"Vibe-Coding.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/Vibe-Coding.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/Vibe-Coding.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1783427,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/Vibe-Coding.jpg?itok=jhk18PZE"}}},"media_ids":["679920"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660367","name":"School of Cybersecurity and Privacy"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186861","name":"go-cyber"},{"id":"194393","name":"AI and Cybersecurity"},{"id":"1404","name":"Cybersecurity"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Popham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II at the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jpopham3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689472":{"#nid":"689472","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOne day after the historic Artemis II launch, the College of Sciences welcomed more than 150 researchers, students, and community members to its signature\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-space\u0022\u003EFrontiers in Science\u003C\/a\u003E conference. Held on April 2, the full-day event focused on space research guiding discovery and innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs during previous editions, this year\u2019s conference featured more than two dozen scientists, engineers, policy experts, and thought leaders from Georgia Tech and beyond, illustrating how collaboration across fields \u2013 from science and engineering to public policy and international affairs \u2013 helps to advance strategic research priorities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cFrontiers is about discovery and connections across disciplines and generations,\u201d says\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lozier.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESusan Lozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. \u201cThis edition provided an inspiring glimpse into the future of space exploration and the many ways Georgia Tech is contributing to research and missions seeking answers to what lies beyond our planet.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommitment to Space\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESpace research is a key institutional priority at Georgia Tech, which is home to numerous academic and research programs in planetary sciences, robotics, mission design, space policy, and other areas.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe recently established\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/space.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESpace Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SRI) serves as the central hub connecting the broad range of space-related research across campus. Led by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2885\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJud Ready\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who also serves as principal research engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, SRI has expanded support for space research and commercialization through initiatives such as the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2026\/02\/26\/new-space-startups-take-georgia-tech\u0022\u003ECreationsVC Space Fellows Program\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2025\/12\/10\/georgia-techs-space-research-institute-announces-inaugural-seed-grant-awardees\u0022\u003ECenters, Programs, and Initiatives seed grant program\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESRI\u2019s efforts are in line with Georgia Tech\u2019s long-standing contribution to space exploration. Hundreds of Yellow Jacket alumni work in the space sector, including several graduates who are playing key roles in the Artemis program. To date, more than a dozen Georgia Tech alumni have traveled to space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExploring the Final Frontier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe conference featured a series of panels and discussions led by faculty and researchers from the Colleges of Sciences and Engineering as well as the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESessions explored how researchers are studying the processes and conditions that support planetary habitability, seeking to answer one of humanity\u2019s greatest questions: Does life exist beyond Earth? Speakers also examined how analog fieldwork in Earth\u2019s extreme environments can inform space exploration, and how space research, in turn, can deepen our understanding of our own world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAdditional conversations centered on building better space missions through improved understanding of team and individual resilience, data collection, navigation, and the development of advanced technologies like the robots developed through the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/good-dog-lassie-spirit-learns-walk-moon\u0022\u003ENASA LASSIE Project\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrontiers also highlighted Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment to preparing the next generation of space scientists, engineers, and leaders. Student training and engagement were recurring themes throughout the day, with speakers emphasizing opportunities for student-led and student-run missions and research. A panel of Georgia Tech alumni shared their own STEM career journeys, challenging the idea of \u201cone right path\u201d to success \u2014 and acknowledging the resources and opportunities available at the Institute.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA highlight of the conference was a fireside chat with Atlanta-native, retired U.S. Army Colonel and NASA Astronaut\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/kimbrough-rs.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ER. Shane Kimbrough\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (M.S. Operations Research 1998). Kimbrough, who spent a total of 388 days in space and performed nine spacewalks across three missions, reflected on his career and the evolution of spaceflight. He emphasized the expanding role of public-private and international partnerships in advancing ambitious goals, such as creating a permanent human outpost on the Moon.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPolicy and Public\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe conference also explored how policy influences space discovery and innovation, with discussions touching on such issues as space security, access, governance, sustainability \u2014\u0026nbsp;and the influence of technology and science fiction on public perception and policy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPanelists described current policy frameworks governing outer space as struggling to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies and expanding activities. According to these experts, increasing tensions among commercial, research, and recreational uses of space call for greater coordination among private and government entities to balance competing priorities while maximizing opportunities for innovation and exploration.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe conference was punctuated by a networking lunch connecting attendees with Atlanta\u2019s public astronomy community \u2013 including partners at several universities and the Georgia Tech Astronomy Club, which set up telescopes for attendees to safely observe the sun. Later that evening, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/astronomy.gatech.edu\/Observatory.php\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Observatory\u003C\/a\u003E hosted its Public Night, welcoming the broader Atlanta community to campus for telescope views of Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and other celestial bodies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Observatory Night was a fitting conclusion to a full day focused on Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment and contributions to inspiring future generations of space explorers through research, education, and outreach.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EExperience the Frontiers conference in pictures on the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/gtsciences\/albums\/72177720332868366\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECollege of Sciences\u2019 Flickr account\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOne day after the historic Artemis II launch, the College of Sciences welcomed more than 150 researchers, students, and community members to its signature\u0026nbsp;Frontiers in Science conference.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"One day after the historic Artemis II launch, the College of Sciences welcomed more than 150 researchers, students, and community members to its signature\u00a0Frontiers in Science conference."}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2026-04-06 14:05:00","changed_gmt":"2026-04-10 21:23:26","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679862":{"id":"679862","type":"image","title":" Retired NASA astronaut R. Shane Kimbrough (M.S. Operations Research 1998) reflects on his career and the evolution of spaceflight.","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"R. Shane Kimbrough speaks in front of room of people during a fireside chat","file":{"fid":"264072","name":"55185614870_ef06b5fa33_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185614870_ef06b5fa33_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185614870_ef06b5fa33_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2611719,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55185614870_ef06b5fa33_o.jpg?itok=9k4zXi2s"}},"679861":{"id":"679861","type":"image","title":"Joyce Shi Sim, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"Joyce Shi Sim holds a microphone and laser pointer while presenting to room of people","file":{"fid":"264071","name":"55185376153_8350a8e96f_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185376153_8350a8e96f_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185376153_8350a8e96f_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1858656,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55185376153_8350a8e96f_o.jpg?itok=QKyejMSW"}},"679863":{"id":"679863","type":"image","title":"Professor James Wray, professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences","body":null,"created":"1775485879","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:31:19","changed":"1775485923","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:32:03","alt":"Professor James Wray holds microphone and points to powerpoint slide during his presentation","file":{"fid":"264073","name":"55184328417_3a02de62dc_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55184328417_3a02de62dc_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55184328417_3a02de62dc_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2636888,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55184328417_3a02de62dc_o.jpg?itok=saXBEEUR"}},"679860":{"id":"679860","type":"image","title":" [From left] Professor Glenn Lightsey, Professor Thom Orlando, Moderator Naia Butler-Craig  (M.S. AE 2023, Ph.D. AE 2026), Associate Professor Brian Gunter, and Research Engineer I Ava Thrasher ","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"Group photo of five people, including Georgia Tech faculty","file":{"fid":"264070","name":"55184003111_c862d712f2_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55184003111_c862d712f2_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55184003111_c862d712f2_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6182876,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55184003111_c862d712f2_o.jpg?itok=dcGAnsv4"}},"679858":{"id":"679858","type":"image","title":" The Georgia Tech Astronomy Club set up telescopes for attendees to safely observe the sun.","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"Three people stand outdoors with one person looking at the sun through a telescope","file":{"fid":"264068","name":"55185476429_49ab238e05_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185476429_49ab238e05_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185476429_49ab238e05_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2674661,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55185476429_49ab238e05_o.jpg?itok=cCQeyNP0"}},"679859":{"id":"679859","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Observatory\u2019s April 2, 2026 Public Night","body":null,"created":"1775484488","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","changed":"1775484488","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:08:08","alt":"Adults and children observing the night sky through a computer that is connected to a telescope","file":{"fid":"264069","name":"55185567256_ba1be5a592_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185567256_ba1be5a592_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/55185567256_ba1be5a592_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4887238,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/55185567256_ba1be5a592_o.jpg?itok=NaAICFg3"}}},"media_ids":["679862","679861","679863","679860","679858","679859"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-space","title":"2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration - Program"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/38-billion-year-old-titanium-clue-sheds-new-light-moons-early-chemistry","title":"3.8\u2011Billion\u2011Year\u2011Old Titanium Clue Sheds New Light on the Moon\u2019s Early Chemistry"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-pioneers-first-space-sustainability-course-us","title":"Georgia Tech Pioneers First Space Sustainability Course in the U.S."},{"url":"https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/welcome-future-artemis-ii-set-launch-moon","title":"\u2018Welcome to the Future!\u2019 Artemis II Set for Launch to the Moon"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2026\/02\/26\/new-space-startups-take-georgia-tech","title":"New Space Startups Take Off at Georgia Tech"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/2025\/12\/10\/georgia-techs-space-research-institute-announces-inaugural-seed-grant-awardees","title":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Space Research Institute Announces Inaugural Seed Grant Awardees"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"},{"id":"660370","name":"Space"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"172511","name":"Frontiers Conference"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194975","name":"go-space"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Lindsay C. Vidal\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lvidal7@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689630":{"#nid":"689630","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Create \u201cLiving\u201d Polymers That Grow, Heal, and Transform ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMost plastic and rubber materials remain in a fixed shape from the moment they leave the mold. Their size and function are the same until they wear out or break. But what if synthetic materials could behave more like living organisms, growing or repairing themselves when needed?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA research team led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/hu-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYuhang Hu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, has created a new material designed to do exactly that. In a new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/adma.202518567\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Estudy published in \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvanced Materials\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Hu and her collaborators describe a groundbreaking class of \u201cliving\u201d polymers that can grow, shrink, heal, and even regenerate long after fabrication.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir work combines advances in chemistry, mechanics, and materials design into a polymer platform that could reshape how engineered products are built, maintained, and recycled.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-researchers-create-living-polymers-grow-heal-and-transform\u0022\u003ERead the full story on the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMost plastic and rubber materials remain in a fixed shape from the moment they leave the mold. Their size and function are the same until they wear out or break. But what if synthetic materials could behave more like living organisms, growing or repairing themselves when needed?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA research team led by Yuhang Hu, associate professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, has created a new material designed to do exactly that. In a new study published in Advanced Materials, Hu and her collaborators describe a groundbreaking class of \u201cliving\u201d polymers that can grow, shrink, heal, and even regenerate long after fabrication.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir work combines advances in chemistry, mechanics, and materials design into a polymer platform that could reshape how engineered products are built, maintained, and recycled.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A research team led by Yuhang Hu describe a groundbreaking class of \u201cliving\u201d polymers that can grow, shrink, heal, and even regenerate long after fabrication."}],"uid":"35851","created_gmt":"2026-04-10 18:49:20","changed_gmt":"2026-04-10 18:51:08","author":"aritchie6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679916":{"id":"679916","type":"image","title":"IMG_2578.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775846974","gmt_created":"2026-04-10 18:49:34","changed":"1775846974","gmt_changed":"2026-04-10 18:49:34","alt":"Yuhang Hu and students in the lab","file":{"fid":"264137","name":"IMG_2578.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/IMG_2578.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/IMG_2578.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5920775,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/10\/IMG_2578.jpg?itok=TLH4hBVG"}}},"media_ids":["679916"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"108731","name":"School of Mechanical Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ashley.ritchie@me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAshley Ritchie\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689628":{"#nid":"689628","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech-led Research Team to Develop SHIELD Against Deadly Biological Threats ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe United States continues to face deadly infectious disease outbreaks, from emerging viruses to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, underscoring the nation\u2019s need for rapid, effective response systems. These threats extend beyond public health, disrupting daily life, straining health care systems, and impacting military readiness.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/singh\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnkur Singh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the Carl Ring Family Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and professor in\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ethe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and Emory\u0026nbsp;University, has been awarded up to $6 million from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) against deadly biological threats that endanger public health, national security, and warfighters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDTRA\u2019s mission is to provide solutions that enable the Department of Defense, the U.S. government, and international partners to deter strategic threats. A key priority is advancing new or improved MCMs that can be deployed before or after exposure to biological or chemical agents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh\u2019s multi-year project, Systematic Human Immune Engineering for Lethal Disease (SHIELD) Countermeasures, aims to create a threat-agnostic platform that transforms how respiratory pathogens and toxins are studied. The platform is designed to speed up the discovery, development, and production of immune-based countermeasures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-led-research-team-develop-shield-against-deadly-biological-threats\u0022\u003ERead the full story on the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe United States continues to face deadly infectious disease outbreaks, from emerging viruses to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, underscoring the nation\u2019s need for rapid, effective response systems. These threats extend beyond public health, disrupting daily life, straining health care systems, and impacting military readiness.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers led by Ankur Singh, the Carl Ring Family Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, has been awarded up to $6 million from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) against deadly biological threats that endanger public health, national security, and warfighters.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A team of researchers led by Ankur Singh has been awarded up to $6 million from DTRA of the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate the development of MCMs against deadly biological threats that endanger public health, national security, and warfighters."}],"uid":"35851","created_gmt":"2026-04-10 18:23:18","changed_gmt":"2026-04-10 18:44:23","author":"aritchie6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679914":{"id":"679914","type":"image","title":"DTRA-1.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775845424","gmt_created":"2026-04-10 18:23:44","changed":"1775845424","gmt_changed":"2026-04-10 18:23:44","alt":"Ankur Singh, the Carl Ring Family Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, in his lab.","file":{"fid":"264135","name":"DTRA-1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/DTRA-1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/DTRA-1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1085392,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/10\/DTRA-1.jpg?itok=vffgq6CB"}}},"media_ids":["679914"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"108731","name":"School of Mechanical Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ashley.ritchie@me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAshley Ritchie\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689629":{"#nid":"689629","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Anna Erickson Wins 2026 Corones Award for Research and Societal Impact ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/erickson\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnna Erickson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Woodruff Professor of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nremp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Enuclear and radiological engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded the 2026 James Corones Award in Leadership, Community Building and Communication from the Krell Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.krellinst.org\/about-krell\/corones-award\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, named for the Iowa-based nonprofit\u2019s founder, recognizes midcareer scientists and engineers for research impact, mentoring, scientific-community activities, and commitment to communicating science and technology. It will be formally presented to Erickson in May on the Georgia Tech campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/news\/anna-erickson-wins-2026-corones-award-research-and-societal-impact\u0022\u003ERead the full story on the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAnna Erickson, Woodruff Professor of nuclear and radiological engineering in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded the 2026 James Corones Award in Leadership, Community Building and Communication from the Krell Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe award, named for the Iowa-based nonprofit\u2019s founder, recognizes midcareer scientists and engineers for research impact, mentoring, scientific-community activities, and commitment to communicating science and technology. It will be formally presented to Erickson in May on the Georgia Tech campus.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Anna Erickson, Woodruff Professor of nuclear and radiological engineering, has been awarded the 2026 James Corones Award in Leadership, Community Building and Communication from the Krell Institute."}],"uid":"35851","created_gmt":"2026-04-10 18:42:29","changed_gmt":"2026-04-10 18:43:20","author":"aritchie6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679915":{"id":"679915","type":"image","title":"DSC_8473-Enhanced-NR--1-_0.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1775846559","gmt_created":"2026-04-10 18:42:39","changed":"1775846559","gmt_changed":"2026-04-10 18:42:39","alt":"Anna Erickson","file":{"fid":"264136","name":"DSC_8473-Enhanced-NR--1-_0.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/DSC_8473-Enhanced-NR--1-_0.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/DSC_8473-Enhanced-NR--1-_0.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":784715,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/10\/DSC_8473-Enhanced-NR--1-_0.jpeg?itok=6O02n0ai"}}},"media_ids":["679915"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"108731","name":"School of Mechanical Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"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:ashley.ritchie@me.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAshley Ritchie\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689605":{"#nid":"689605","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Use Light to Make Their Microscopic \u2018Muscle\u2019 Contract on Command","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEngineers interested in creating artificial cells to deliver drugs to unhealthy parts of the body face a key challenge: for a cell-like system to move, change shape, or divide, it needs a way to generate force on command.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBiological cells rely on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to move muscles, transport substances across membranes, and perform other functions.\u0026nbsp;Many cellular machines couple ATP hydrolysis (a process where chemical energy stored in ATP is released) directly to motion.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut some single-celled organisms called ciliates use a different strategy. A pulse of calcium triggers an ultrafast contraction, and ATP is used afterward to pump calcium back into storage and reset the system.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-026-69651-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E study\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E led by Georgia Tech, researchers learned how to use a similar mechanism to control the movements of artificial protein networks without relying on ATP-powered motor proteins. Instead, they used calcium as a trigger to make the networks contract or relax.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf engineers want synthetic cells that can do cell-like things, they need a way to generate force on command,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/saad-bhamla\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaad Bhamla\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a co-author and an associate professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cCells have to move, change shape, and divide. We\u2019re trying to build a controllable engine from simple parts.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the National Science Foundation-funded study, the team produced and purified \u003Cem\u003ETetrahymena thermophila\u003C\/em\u003E calcium-binding protein 2 (Tcb2), which is found in ciliates. The protein forms a fibrous network and contracts when exposed to calcium. The researchers reconstituted Tcb2 protein networks in the lab and then used a light-sensitive calcium chelator (a \u201ccage\u201d molecule that holds the calcium until illuminated) to control when and where calcium was released.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey projected light patterns of stars and circles to prompt the network to assemble and contract in matching shapes. Then, to continuously \u201crecharge\u201d the system, the multi-university team pulsed the light on the protein networks, repeatedly releasing calcium and driving cycles of assembly and contraction.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/researchers-use-light-make-their-microscopic-muscle-contract-command?utm_source=twitter\u0026amp;utm_medium=social\u0026amp;utm_campaign=news\u0022\u003ERead the full story.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-026-69651-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E study\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E led by Georgia Tech, researchers learned how to use a similar mechanism to control the movements of artificial protein networks without relying on ATP-powered motor proteins. Instead, they used calcium as a trigger to make the networks contract or relax.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Engineers interested in creating artificial cells to deliver drugs to unhealthy parts of the body face a key challenge: for a cell-like system to move, change shape, or divide, it needs a way to generate force on command."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-10 12:47:50","changed_gmt":"2026-04-10 12:49:38","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679909":{"id":"679909","type":"image","title":"artificial-cells.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775825279","gmt_created":"2026-04-10 12:47:59","changed":"1775825279","gmt_changed":"2026-04-10 12:47:59","alt":"A yellow star shape is shown next to a microscope image of an artificial cell colony that has been directed to form the shape of a star.","file":{"fid":"264130","name":"artificial-cells.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/artificial-cells.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/artificial-cells.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":17653,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/10\/artificial-cells.jpg?itok=XEcClJeF"}}},"media_ids":["679909"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/researchers-use-light-make-their-microscopic-muscle-contract-command?utm_source=twitter\u0026utm_medium=social\u0026utm_campaign=news","title":"Full Story"}],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJason Maderer\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications | College of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689585":{"#nid":"689585","#data":{"type":"news","title":"CREATE-X Startup Brings Digital Access to the Unbanked","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Victor Espinosa was an undergraduate student in Bogot\u00e1, he kept running into the same problem every time he tried to order books or basic items online: He didn\u2019t have a credit card. Instead, he had to give cash to someone who had a credit card and ask them to purchase for him. This wasn\u2019t strange in Colombia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cIt was frustrating, but it showed me how many people were being left out of the digital world,\u201d Espinosa said. \u201cIn Colombia, only about two out of 10 people have a credit card. Cash is the main form of payment, but everything online requires digital access.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThat gap sparked the idea that would evolve into Loto Punto, a fintech startup building self-service kiosks to bridge the physical and digital worlds for unbanked communities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFrom a Single Problem to a Scalable Platform\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEspinosa began his startup as an online platform for buying lottery tickets. He saw that customers didn\u2019t trust the idea of a digital receipt because they were used to a printout, so he pivoted to a kiosk similar to the ones in U.S. grocery stores. Customers could walk up, insert cash, and print a lottery ticket instantly.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cIt worked, but it had a ceiling,\u201d Espinosa said. \u201cIt only served people buying lottery tickets. We knew it wouldn\u2019t scale.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ETo address this, he expanded the kiosks to handle mobile phone top-ups, bill payments, and basic banking services. Then, in 2024, the company incorporated advanced technologies such as biometric recognition and blockchain. Stellar Blockchain, first a partner, later became an investor of the startup, which helped Loto Punto to enable low-cost, real-time digital transactions and remittances.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ENow, users can convert physical cash into digital value or withdraw cash from digital wallets through a single machine.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EA Global Solo Founder\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEspinosa is the sole founder of Loto Punto, supported now by a 10\u2011person team of highly specialized engineers, designers, and manufacturing experts. He is currently pursuing his master\u2019s degree in computer science at Georgia Tech while leading the company through its next chapter as part of the CREATE-X Startup Launch Spring 2026 cohort.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFinding CREATE-X and Finding a Community\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEspinosa learned about CREATE-X during his first semester at Georgia Tech. In 2024, CREATE-X widened its Startup Launch program to include a spring cohort to give founders, particularly graduating seniors, another chance to go all-in on developing their startup.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEspinosa admits he didn\u2019t expect much when he first learned about the program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cI didn\u2019t know universities had programs like this. In Colombia, we don\u2019t have accelerators embedded inside universities with venture support and dedicated staff,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, I assumed CREATE X would be small, maybe one office helping a few students.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhat Espinosa found was different.\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cThey\u2019re leveraging every resource that Georgia Tech offers. They can help with any challenge by tapping the doors of the network they already have established,\u201c he said. \u201cIt\u2019s an ecosystem.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs a part of the Startup Launch program, CREATE-X brings in founders from its ecosystem to speak to participants and give them actionable insights \u2014 founders who have raised funds, been acquired, and have had other successes as entrepreneurs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cThat\u2019s different,\u201d Espinosa said. \u201cThey\u2019ve brought successful founders who have walked the talk. It\u2019s different to interact with somebody who was already successful in doing what you\u2019re doing.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ETesting, Measuring, and Learning Through Startup Launch\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEven as a remote participant, Espinosa has connected well with his mentor, who meets with him weekly, and his mini-batch. During the program, startup teams are grouped together. They share their strategies, successes, and struggles as they develop throughout the program. Teams have weekly sprints where they focus on one or two activities and then measure those activities, which Espinosa said is helpful for maintaining focus and actually executing on ideas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cIf you, as an entrepreneur, start thinking of the whole world of activities that you must do to get somewhere with your startup, you won\u2019t start,\u201d he said. \u201cBy creating attainable goals, step by step, that\u2019s how it compounds to reach bigger goals. But, you have to begin with something.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003ETeams are also encouraged to take calculated risks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cCREATE-X gives us a safe environment to test ideas,\u201d Espinosa said. \u201cAs an entrepreneur, it\u2019s a lonely road, but having someone who has been in your shoes before, it makes you brave to try things.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOne of the first major tests he shared with the cohort was an ad campaign timed around the Super Bowl. In Startup Launch, Espinosa learned how to structure the experiment: defining KPIs, iterating audiences, and evaluating performance compared to industry benchmarks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cWe got around 45,000 views and above-average click-through rates,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the biggest lesson was that brand awareness alone can\u2019t be our only marketing strategy.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEspinosa said his mentor helped open doors for him and kept him accountable, and the program itself kept him from being overwhelmed by all that a founder has to do.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cIn Startup Launch, you see how different approaches fit different phases,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re creating a path to grow and execute on your goals as a founder.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhy Now Is the Easiest Time to Build\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEspinosa also emphasized that the tools to build and test ideas have never been more accessible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cWhen I started, we didn\u2019t have AI. You had to do everything by hand. It was harder, and it took more resources,\u201d he said. \u201cRight now, it\u2019s a matter of prompting. In one hour, you can file for a grant. Before, it took at least a week to get your documents together.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EHe said the ability to test quickly and learn has also become inexpensive.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cYou don\u2019t need millions of dollars to do this,\u201d Espinosa said. \u201cIt\u0027s very cheap to fail, right? If that doesn\u0027t work, you can just try again in the morning.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAbove all, Espinosa encouraged budding founders to take advantage of the opportunities around them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cAs a founder, you must tap every door that you have available to you. You have to explore different paths,\u201d he said. \u201cSome of those are networking, some are physical space, some are interest. Get your hands on every single resource that comes your way.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ELooking Ahead: The Future of Payments\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs he thinks about where the finance world is going, Espinosa said the payments industry is rapidly converging toward blockchain, stablecoins, and faster, frictionless user experiences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re seeing a lot of movement around stablecoins. We\u2019re seeing resource flow from one country to another. We believe things are converging to leverage blockchain and driving down the cost of moving money,\u201c he said. \u201cThat\u2019s how we see the future of our industry.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMeet Loto Punto and the Spring Cohort at Startup Launch Showcase\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEspinosa will travel to Atlanta for the first time in May to present Loto Punto at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/spring-startup-launch-showcase-tickets-1984784570078?aff=article\u0022\u003ECREATE-X Spring Startup Launch Showcase\u003C\/a\u003E, where the public can meet founders and see their ventures firsthand. The event will be held in The Biltmore Ballrooms on Thursday, May 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe showcase will feature dozens of startups built by Georgia Tech students and alumni. Tickets are free but limited. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/spring-startup-launch-showcase-tickets-1984784570078?aff=article\u0022\u003ERegister for the showcase\u003C\/a\u003E today to grab your spot.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAfter experiencing firsthand how limited access to credit cards excluded millions from the digital economy, Victor Espinosa set out to bridge that gap by founding Loto Punto. The fintech startup uses self\u2011service kiosks that allow users to convert physical cash into digital transactions, expanding access to essential services like bill payments, mobile top\u2011ups, and remittances. As a solo founder in the CREATE\u2011X Startup Launch Spring 2026 cohort, Espinosa refined his venture through structured experimentation, mentorship, and weekly execution sprints. He credits CREATE\u2011X with providing both the accountability and community needed to test ideas safely and scale solutions for real\u2011world impact.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech master\u2019s student Victor Espinosa is building Loto Punto, a fintech startup using self\u2011service kiosks to help unbanked communities convert cash into digital financial access through the CREATE\u2011X Startup Launch program."}],"uid":"36436","created_gmt":"2026-04-09 13:26:31","changed_gmt":"2026-04-09 13:29:19","author":"bdurham31","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679901":{"id":"679901","type":"image","title":"Victor Espinosa Founder of Loto Punto","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVictor Espinosa, Founder of Loto Punto, stands in front of his product, pitching it on Columbia\u0027s Shark Tank\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775740749","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 13:19:09","changed":"1775740994","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 13:23:14","alt":"Victor Espinosa, Founder of Loto Punto, stands in front of his product, pitching it on Columbia\u0027s Shark Tank","file":{"fid":"264122","name":"STCOL_S5_EP16_12_TW.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/STCOL_S5_EP16_12_TW.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/STCOL_S5_EP16_12_TW.png","mime":"image\/png","size":899710,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/STCOL_S5_EP16_12_TW.png?itok=TrsrUGf8"}}},"media_ids":["679901"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/spring-startup-launch-showcase-tickets-1984784570078?aff=article","title":"Register for Spring 2026 Startup Launch Showcase"}],"groups":[{"id":"583966","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"139","name":"Business"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreanna Durham\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarketing Strategist\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["breanna.durham@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689579":{"#nid":"689579","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Earns Top C-Suite Ranking Among Forbes\u2019 New Ivies ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the third consecutive year, Georgia Tech has secured a spot on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/aliciapark\/2026\/04\/08\/the-new-ivies-20-great-employer-friendly-colleges-embracing-ai\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EForbes\u2019 list of New Ivies\u003C\/a\u003E, showcasing the Institute\u2019s strong reputation among employers.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReceiving the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/aliciapark\/2026\/04\/08\/how-forbes-selected-the-new-ivies-for-2026-our-third-annual-list\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehighest C-suite rating\u003C\/a\u003E of any university this year, Tech has been included on the list each year since it started in 2024. This year\u2019s survey polled more than 100 C-suite and hiring executives, who were asked to rate schools and detail how artificial intelligence has changed their hiring of new graduates. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Forbes, each institution on the list is considered a leader in AI adoption, innovating and integrating the emerging technology into its curriculum. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI fluency is a valued trait among employers, and one executive said that the ideal job candidate has completed an education that exemplifies \u201ccomplex emotional intelligence, radical adaptability, and visionary creativity to orchestrate AI tools rather than compete with them.\u201d Emphasizing the importance of equipping graduates with these skills, 60% of respondents say AI has changed their staffing needs, and nearly 25% say it has reduced their need for entry-level college graduates. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt Georgia Tech, our students don\u2019t just learn AI. They apply it in real-world contexts across fields like finance, medical innovation, and manufacturing,\u201d said Raheem Beyah, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. \u201cThey graduate with both technical depth and domain expertise, shaped through hands-on experience and close partnerships with industry, so they\u2019re ready to step in and create value on day one.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOutside of the classroom, providing students access to an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/nexus-ideas\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAI supercomputer\u003C\/a\u003E, the launch of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ai.gatech.edu\/about\/mission-vision\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETech AI\u003C\/a\u003E, and researchers leading multiple National Science Foundation AI institutes have cemented Tech\u2019s status as a leader in AI innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReturn on investment remains a critical factor in today\u2019s conversations about higher education as well, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/09\/04\/georgia-techs-big-bets-delivering-record-results\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETech continues to rank highly in that area\u003C\/a\u003E. In 2025, the Institute was named the best-value public college by The Princeton Review, and the Department of Education\u2019s College Scorecard ranked Georgia Tech first among public universities in measuring ROI 15, 20, and 30 years after graduation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Tech received the highest C-suite rating of any school in the 2026 survey.  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETech received the highest C-suite rating of any school in the 2026 survey.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Tech received the highest C-suite rating of any school in the 2026 survey.  "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-04-08 19:31:58","changed_gmt":"2026-04-09 12:50:41","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679898":{"id":"679898","type":"image","title":"Tech Tower in Atlanta Skyline","body":null,"created":"1775676915","gmt_created":"2026-04-08 19:35:15","changed":"1775676915","gmt_changed":"2026-04-08 19:35:15","alt":"Tech Tower in Atlanta Skyline","file":{"fid":"264119","name":"13C10000-P14-013--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/08\/13C10000-P14-013--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/08\/13C10000-P14-013--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6019512,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/08\/13C10000-P14-013--1-.jpg?itok=xRupWi6U"}}},"media_ids":["679898"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2308","name":"Forbes"},{"id":"171557","name":"Forbes Magazine"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689581":{"#nid":"689581","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Kim Toatley Named Finalist for CFO of the Year","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKimberly \u201cKim\u201d Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer, has been named a finalist for the\u0026nbsp;2026 CFO of the Year Awards\u0026nbsp;by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EAtlanta Business Chronicle\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow in operation for more than a decade, the CFO of the Year Awards honor exceptional chief financial officers across metro Atlanta who demonstrate excellence in financial leadership, strategic decision-making, and organizational stewardship. Each year, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EAtlanta Business Chronicle\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;recognizes finalists and winners whose work strengthens their organizations and supports long-term sustainability amid evolving economic and operational challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToatley\u2019s selection as a finalist places her among a distinguished group of financial leaders across the region and marks only the\u0026nbsp;second time a Georgia Tech leader has been named a finalist\u0026nbsp;for this prestigious award.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cKim\u2019s recognition as a finalist for CFO of the Year reflects her exceptional leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to stewarding Georgia Tech\u2019s resources in support of the Institute\u2019s academic and research mission and dedicated service to the Georgia Tech campus community,\u201d said Tricia Chastain, executive vice president for Administration and Finance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince assuming her current role in 2025, Toatley has provided strategic oversight of Georgia Tech\u2019s financial and budget operations, ensuring fiscal integrity and operational excellence across the Institute. Her work is grounded in her strong commitment to responsible stewardship, transparency, and making a meaningful impact on the Institute, its partners, and the greater\u0026nbsp;community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToatley brings more than three decades of leadership experience at Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, having served in a wide range of senior finance, accounting, research administration, and operational roles throughout her career. She has played a central role in strengthening financial and research administration practices and supporting the Institute\u2019s ability to sustain complex, externally funded research. In her current role, she continues to guide Georgia Tech through periods of significant institutional and governance transition.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToatley holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgia State University. She has often noted that her experience as a student deepened her connection to Georgia Tech and shaped her commitment to higher education. Her recognition as a finalist reflects not only her leadership but also the collective work of teams across Georgia Tech and the vital role strong financial stewardship plays in advancing the Institute\u2019s academic and research priorities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CFO of the Year Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 21.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKimberly \u201cKim\u201d Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer, has been named a finalist for the\u0026nbsp;2026 CFO of the Year Awards\u0026nbsp;by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EAtlanta Business Chronicle\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Kimberly \u201cKim\u201d Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer, has been named a finalist for the 2026 CFO of the Year Awards by the Atlanta Business Chronicle."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2026-04-08 20:18:00","changed_gmt":"2026-04-08 20:25:27","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675748":{"id":"675748","type":"image","title":"Kim Toatley.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1732741769","gmt_created":"2024-11-27 21:09:29","changed":"1732741769","gmt_changed":"2024-11-27 21:09:29","alt":"Image of Kim Toatley","file":{"fid":"259410","name":"Kim Toatley_Headshot_010822.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/27\/Kim%20Toatley_Headshot_010822.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/27\/Kim%20Toatley_Headshot_010822.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":473494,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/27\/Kim%20Toatley_Headshot_010822.jpeg?itok=T69zxUTZ"}}},"media_ids":["675748"],"groups":[{"id":"64319","name":"Administration and Finance"},{"id":"220261","name":"Finance and Planning"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"194999","name":"Kim Toatley"},{"id":"195000","name":"CFO of the Year"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003EIndia Maul\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["india.maul@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689562":{"#nid":"689562","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Suddath Symposium Showcases Biomedical Applications of Synthetic Biology","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe 34th\u0026nbsp;annual\u0026nbsp;Suddath Symposium, hosted by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IBB)\u0026nbsp;on March 18-19,\u0026nbsp;brought together researchers, trainees, and invited speakers from across disciplines to discuss\u0026nbsp;cutting-edge\u0026nbsp;efforts to translate synthetic biology advances into human health-relevant technologies, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical tools\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe topic of the Suddath Symposium changes every year, which allows the Georgia Tech research community to annually learn about recent advances on a specific topic from across the immense fields of\u0026nbsp;bioengineering and\u0026nbsp;bioscience,\u201d\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3718\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENicholas Hud\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;Regents\u2019 Professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;Associate Director of IBB.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe symposium also included presentation of the\u0026nbsp;2026 Suddath Award, which recognizes outstanding graduate research. This year\u2019s award was presented to\u0026nbsp;Myeongsoo\u0026nbsp;Kim, a Ph.D. candidate in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBioengineering Graduate Program\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;for his work at the intersection of cell engineering,\u0026nbsp;cancer treatment, and biomedical imaging.\u0026nbsp;The award is presented each year by members of the Suddath family, including Vincent Suddath,\u0026nbsp;grandson of Bud and\u0026nbsp;a current\u0026nbsp;freshman\u0026nbsp;at Georgia Tech majoring in mathematics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe symposium and award\u0026nbsp;honor the legacy of\u0026nbsp;F. L. \u201cBud\u201d Suddath\u0026nbsp;and his lasting contributions to the Institute and the wider Georgia Tech research community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBud was influential in promoting the growth of bioscience research at Georgia Tech, efforts that helped establish\u0026nbsp;IBB\u0026nbsp;in the 1990s,\u201d Hud said. \u201cBud\u2019s\u0026nbsp;research interests were at the forefront of structural biology, a field that laid the foundation for much of what we know today about biology at the molecular level.\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s\u0026nbsp;fitting that we honor Bud\u2019s\u0026nbsp;contributions by annually providing the Georgia Tech community with the opportunity to learn about\u0026nbsp;research on a timely topic within the biological sciences.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESymposium co-chairs\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bio\/tara-l-deans\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETara Deans\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2915\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMark Styczynski\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;said that in addition to upholding the legacy of Bud Suddath, the event also\u0026nbsp;provides a unique setting and opportunity for both established researchers and trainees to interact over the course of the two day event.\u0026nbsp;The intimate format of the symposium, which is limited to approximately 100 attendees, and the annual selection of a different interdisciplinary topic\u0026nbsp;sets\u0026nbsp;it apart\u0026nbsp;from other\u0026nbsp;symposia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Suddath Symposium is an amazing opportunity to bring multiple world-class researchers right to our trainees\u2019 front door, to hear about their work and connect with them in a small setting that you can\u2019t really find at most conferences,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Styczynski,\u0026nbsp;who is a professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe are really grateful to IBB and the Suddath family for supporting this unique event.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeans, who is an associate professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;highlighted how this year\u2019s theme reflects a broader shift in the field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis year\u2019s focus on biomedical applications of synthetic biology highlights a major inflection point in the field: the transition from proof-of-concept systems to human health-relevant technologies,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cThe theme also reflects increasing convergence across disciplines; synthetic biology is no longer\u0026nbsp;operating\u0026nbsp;in isolation,\u0026nbsp;but it is deeply intertwined with immunology, machine learning, diagnostics, and clinical translation. Addressing real-world biomedical problems requires this kind of integration, and the symposium captured that shift very clearly.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Suddath Symposium annually serves as a cornerstone event for Georgia Tech\u2019s bioengineering and bioscience community\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;connecting researchers, honoring scientific legacy, and spotlighting the next generation of scientific innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe 34th annual Suddath Symposium brought together researchers, trainees, and invited speakers from across disciplines to discuss cutting-edge efforts to translate synthetic biology advances into human health-relevant technologies. In addition to upholding the legacy of Bud Suddath, the event also\u0026nbsp;provides a unique setting and opportunity for both established researchers and trainees to interact\u0026nbsp;in a closer setting.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The 34th annual Suddath Symposium brought together researchers, trainees, and invited speakers from across disciplines to discuss cutting-edge efforts to translate synthetic biology advances into human health-relevant technologies."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-08 14:27:05","changed_gmt":"2026-04-08 14:30:37","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679893":{"id":"679893","type":"image","title":"2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775658434","gmt_created":"2026-04-08 14:27:14","changed":"1775658434","gmt_changed":"2026-04-08 14:27:14","alt":"A presenter stands at the front of a lecture room speaking to a seated audience while a projected slide titled \u201cSynthetic Biology: Engineered Gene Circuits\u201d illustrates the design\u2013build\u2013test cycle with diagrams and icons explaining gene circuit construction and testing.","file":{"fid":"264114","name":"2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/08\/2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/08\/2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1840500,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/08\/2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg?itok=1yDWHq1D"}}},"media_ids":["679893"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689553":{"#nid":"689553","#data":{"type":"news","title":"\u2018Dialogue Across Difference\u2019 Launches Georgia Tech Institute for Technology and Civic Leadership ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn April 2, Georgia Tech launched its new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/civicleadership.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for Technology and Civic Leadership\u003C\/a\u003E with a symposium built around a simple idea. Society benefits when people are willing to listen, especially to those who disagree with them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Institute will serve as a space to share ideas, learn from one another, and discover common ground,\u201d said Amanda Murdie, dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is especially important in a moment when technology is rapidly altering how we encounter information, form beliefs, and relate to one another.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Institute creates opportunities for students to examine the civic and social implications of technological innovation,\u201d said Aaron Levine, associate dean for research and outreach in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and interim executive director of the Institute for Technology and Civic Leadership.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt will support leaders who can approach difficult questions thoughtfully, drawing on evidence, expertise, and an understanding of diverse perspectives.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat focus was reflected in the symposium\u2019s keynote dialogue between Robert George and Cornel West, eminent scholars, longtime friends, and coauthors of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Truth-Matters-Dialogue-Fruitful-Disagreement\/dp\/B0DBR1PYWL\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETruth Matters: A Dialogue on Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe keynote conversation modeled the kind of thoughtful dialogue across deep differences that the new Institute aims to cultivate. George and West do not expect to change each other\u2019s minds.For them, persuasion isn\u2019t the point.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe don\u2019t often completely change each other\u2019s minds about things, but that\u2019s not the goal,\u201d said George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou can have 100% agreement and be wrong. My goal isn\u2019t to persuade him, but to learn what I can from him.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EListening with care and humility to someone who is coming from a very different place, George added, can offer new ways of seeing an issue.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor West, that process begins with resisting easy labels.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe don\u2019t look at the world through the lens of -isms,\u201d said West, who is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou try to listen to a particular argument, put forward by a specific person, and to stay in contact with their humanity. Embrace their humanity.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe two-day event also included panel discussions featuring insights from peer institutions and breakout sessions inviting the campus community to contribute feedback and ideas about the new institute.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new Institute aims to give students the chance to explore a broad range of ideas about how innovation shapes communities, the economy, and public life. It aims to be a place where people can exchange ideas freely, learn from one another and find common ground \u2014 all anchored in open debate, scientific inquiry and evidence-based problem-solving.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt will also serve as a hub for bringing together leaders from government, industry, academia and other sectors to tackle pressing challenges and pursue science- and data-driven solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The new Institute aims to be a place where people can exchange ideas freely, learn from one another, and find common ground."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe new Institute aims to be a place where people can exchange ideas freely, learn from one another, and find common ground.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The new Institute aims to be a place where people can exchange ideas freely, learn from one another, and find common ground."}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-04-07 20:47:48","changed_gmt":"2026-04-07 21:05:13","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679887":{"id":"679887","type":"video","title":"Perspectives on Technology and Civic Leadership An Inaugural Symposium","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts Dean Amanda Murdie moderates a conversation with Robert George, director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, and Cornel West, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary, on the themes of their recent book \u0022Truth Matters: Fruitful Disagreement in an Era of Rapid Technological Change.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775594853","gmt_created":"2026-04-07 20:47:33","changed":"1775594853","gmt_changed":"2026-04-07 20:47:33","video":{"youtube_id":"ygiaJAOmLjY","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ygiaJAOmLjY"}},"679888":{"id":"679888","type":"image","title":"\u2018Dialogue Across Difference\u2019 symposium","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAmanda Murdie, dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech, moderates a discussion between Robert George and Cornel West, eminent scholars, longtime friends, and coauthors of Truth Matters: A Dialogue on Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division.\u0026nbsp;Photo by Joya Chapman.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775595358","gmt_created":"2026-04-07 20:55:58","changed":"1775595358","gmt_changed":"2026-04-07 20:55:58","alt":"\u2018Dialogue Across Difference\u2019 symposium","file":{"fid":"264108","name":"DSC_1935.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/07\/DSC_1935.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/07\/DSC_1935.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8057052,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/07\/DSC_1935.jpeg?itok=MRO8xWvZ"}}},"media_ids":["679887","679888"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/civicleadership.gatech.edu","title":"Institute for Technology and Civic Leadership"}],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"}],"keywords":[{"id":"183059","name":"civic leadership"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:megan.mcrainey@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EMegan McRainey\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689488":{"#nid":"689488","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Graduate Programs Stand Among the Nation\u2019s Best in 2026 Rankings","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u2019s graduate programs once again earned broad national recognition in the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/best-graduate-schools\u0022\u003E 2026 U.S. News \u0026amp; World Report rankings\u003C\/a\u003E. The latest results highlight Georgia Tech\u2019s sustained strength in research-driven graduate education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and programs designed to meet evolving workforce and societal needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s College of Engineering remained among the nation\u2019s elite, ranking \u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 4 overall\u003C\/strong\u003E in Best Engineering Schools and maintaining its position among the top institutions nationwide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral engineering disciplines continued to rank among the nation\u2019s best, with multiple programs placing in the top five. The College\u2019s consistent performance reflects its leadership in research, innovation, and graduate training that closely aligns with industry and global challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETop engineering rankings include:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 1\u003C\/strong\u003E Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 1\u003C\/strong\u003E Biomedical Engineering (tied), up from No. 2\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 2\u003C\/strong\u003E Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 3\u003C\/strong\u003E Civil Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 3\u003C\/strong\u003E Mechanical Engineering (tied), up from No. 5\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 4\u003C\/strong\u003E Environmental Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 5\u003C\/strong\u003E Chemical Engineering (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 5\u003C\/strong\u003E Computer Engineering (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollege of Computing\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech continued to demonstrate national strength in computing, ranking \u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 7 overall\u003C\/strong\u003E among Best Computer Science Schools in the 2026 rankings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENotable computing rankings include:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 5\u003C\/strong\u003E Artificial Intelligence, up from No. 6\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 6\u003C\/strong\u003E Systems (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 13\u003C\/strong\u003E Theory (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 15\u003C\/strong\u003E Programming Language\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese rankings reflect Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in emerging and foundational computing technologies, as well as its role in applying computation across disciplines to address real\u2011world challenges and strengthen industries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraduate programs at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy earned strong national placements in the 2026 rankings, highlighting the school\u2019s growing visibility at the intersection of technology, policy, and governance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHighlights include:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 2\u003C\/strong\u003E Information and Technology Management (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 10\u003C\/strong\u003E Environmental Policy and Management (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 23\u003C\/strong\u003E Public Policy Analysis (tied), up from No. 26\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScheller College of Business\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Scheller College of Business continued its momentum in the 2026 rankings, earning a \u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 9 national ranking\u003C\/strong\u003E in Best Part-Time MBA Programs, rising from No. 10 last year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScheller also received recognition across a range of graduate business disciplines, with several programs newly ranked in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENotable Scheller rankings include:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 8\u003C\/strong\u003E Information Systems (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 15\u003C\/strong\u003E Supply Chain Management (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 16\u003C\/strong\u003E Business Analytics (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s graduate programs in the physical sciences earned continued national recognition, reflecting strength in foundational research areas that support advances in engineering, computing, sustainability, and health.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScience program rankings include:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 20\u003C\/strong\u003E Chemistry (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 22\u003C\/strong\u003E Physics (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 26\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EMathematics (tied)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENo. 29\u003C\/strong\u003E Earth Sciences (tied), up from No. 33\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E*Please note that this summary includes the latest rankings issued by U.S. News \u0026amp; World Report for 2026. Not all Georgia Tech Colleges, Schools, and subjects are ranked every year by this organization.\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u2019s graduate programs earned broad national recognition in the 2026 \u003Cem\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report\u003C\/em\u003E rankings, underscoring Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in research\u2011driven, interdisciplinary graduate education. The College of Engineering ranked No. 4 overall, with multiple disciplines in the top five, including No. 1 Industrial and Systems Engineering and No. 1 Biomedical Engineering (tied), while computing programs ranked No. 7 nationally with top placements in artificial intelligence and systems. Strong rankings across public policy, business, and the sciences further highlight Georgia Tech\u2019s excellence in preparing graduates to address evolving workforce needs and global challenges.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"U.S. News placements reflect sustained excellence across graduate programs."}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2026-04-07 05:17:20","changed_gmt":"2026-04-07 06:37:54","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679871":{"id":"679871","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Campus in Spring ","body":null,"created":"1775541838","gmt_created":"2026-04-07 06:03:58","changed":"1775542172","gmt_changed":"2026-04-07 06:09:32","alt":"Tech tower in the background of pink spring flowers.","file":{"fid":"264089","name":"DSC00168.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/07\/DSC00168.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/07\/DSC00168.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1305471,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/07\/DSC00168.JPG?itok=v2q1RiqK"}}},"media_ids":["679871"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194455","name":"2026 rankings"},{"id":"61051","name":"US News \u0026 World Report"},{"id":"168328","name":"grad school"},{"id":"194981","name":"best graduate schools"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESenior Media Relations Representative\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687195":{"#nid":"687195","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Illness Is More Than Just Biological \u2013 Medical Sociology Shows How Social Factors Get Under the Skin and Cause\u00a0Disease","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHealth and medicine is more than just biological \u2013 societal forces can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev.publhealth.29.020907.090852\u0022\u003Eget under your skin and cause illness\u003C\/a\u003E. Medical sociologists \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=HQtYrggAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Elike me study these forces\u003C\/a\u003E by treating society itself as our laboratory. Health and illness are our experiments in uncovering meaning, power and inequality, and how it affects all parts of a person\u2019s life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, why do low-income communities \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/read\/19015\u0022\u003Econtinue to have higher death rates\u003C\/a\u003E, despite improved social and environmental conditions across society? Foundational research in medical sociology reveals that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/2626958\u0022\u003Eaccess to resources\u003C\/a\u003E like money, knowledge, power and social networks strongly affects a person\u2019s health. Medical sociologists have shown that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383498\u0022\u003Esocial class is linked to numerous diseases and mortality\u003C\/a\u003E, including risk factors that influence health and longevity. These include \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/secondhand-smoke-may-be-a-substantial-contributor-to-lead-levels-found-in-children-and-adolescents-new-study-finds-212256\u0022\u003Esmoking\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/fixing-the-global-childhood-obesity-epidemic-begins-with-making-healthy-choices-the-easier-choices-and-that-requires-new-laws-and-policies-207975\u0022\u003Eoverweight\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hispanics-live-longer-than-most-americans-but-will-the-us-obesity-epidemic-change-things-146006\u0022\u003Eobesity\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/black-mothers-trapped-in-unsafe-neighborhoods-signal-the-stressful-health-toll-of-gun-violence-in-the-u-s-203307\u0022\u003Estress\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/loneliness-is-making-us-physically-sick-but-social-prescribing-can-treat-it-podcast-199939\u0022\u003Esocial isolation\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/health-insurance-premiums-rose-nearly-3x-the-rate-of-worker-earnings-over-the-past-25-years-271450\u0022\u003Eaccess to health care\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/kids-neighborhoods-can-affect-their-developing-brains-a-new-study-finds-184035\u0022\u003Eliving in disadvantaged neighborhoods\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoreover, social class alone cannot explain such health inequalities. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/singh.hsoc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EMy own research\u003C\/a\u003E examines how inequalities related to social class, race and gender affect \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ssmqr.2023.100234\u0022\u003Eaccess to autism services\u003C\/a\u003E, particularly among single Black mothers who rely on public insurance. This work helps explain \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1542\/peds.2019-3629\u0022\u003Edelays in autism diagnosis\u003C\/a\u003E among Black children, who often wait three years after initial parent concerns before they are formally diagnosed. White children with private insurance typically \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18553\/jmcp.2023.29.4.378\u0022\u003Ewait from 9 to 22 months\u003C\/a\u003E depending on age of diagnosis. This is just one of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40615-024-02280-x\u0022\u003Enumerous examples of inequalities\u003C\/a\u003E that are entrenched in and deepened by medical and educational systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMedical sociologists like me investigate how all of these \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/WHO-IER-CSDH-08.1\u0022\u003Efactors interact to affect a person\u2019s health\u003C\/a\u003E. This \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9781003569824\u0022\u003Esocial model of illness\u003C\/a\u003E sees sickness as shaped by social, cultural, political and economic factors. We examine both \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Eindividual experiences and societal influences\u003C\/a\u003E to help address the health issues affecting vulnerable populations through large-scale reforms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy studying the way \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Esocial forces shape health inequalities\u003C\/a\u003E, medical sociology helps address how health and illness extend beyond the body and into every aspect of people\u2019s lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Protesters standing in front of a federal building, holding signs in the shape of graves reading \u0026apos;16 MILLION LIVES\u0026apos; and \u0026apos;R.I.P. DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS,\u0026apos; wearing shirts that read \u0026apos;MEDICAID SAVES LIVES\u0026apos;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAccess to health insurance is a political issue that directly affects patients. Here, care workers gathered in June 2025 to protest Medicaid cuts.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/care-workers-with-the-service-employees-international-union-news-photo\/2221731651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ETasos Katopodis\/Getty Images for SEIU\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOrigins of Medical Sociology in the US\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMedical sociology \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/9781444314786.ch1\u0022\u003Eformally began in the U.S after World War II\u003C\/a\u003E, when the National Institutes of Health started investing in joint medical and sociological research projects. Hospitals began hiring sociologists to address questions like how to improve patient compliance, doctor-patient interactions and medical treatments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, the focus of this early work was on issues specific to medicine, such as quality improvement or barriers to medication adherence. The goal was to study problems that could be directly applied in medical settings rather than challenging medical authority or existing inequalities. During that period, sociologists viewed illness mostly as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/socialsystem00pars\/page\/n3\/mode\/2up\u0022\u003Edeviation from normal functioning\u003C\/a\u003E leading to impairments that require treatment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, the concept of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/socialsystem00pars\/page\/n3\/mode\/2up\u0022\u003Esick role\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 developed by medical sociologist Talcott Parsons in the 1950s \u2013 saw illness as a form of deviance from social roles and expectations. Under this idea, patients were solely responsible for seeking out medical care in order to return to normal functioning in society.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the 1960s, sociologists began \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/stigmanotesonman0000goff\/page\/n5\/mode\/2up\u0022\u003Ecritiquing medical diagnoses and institutions\u003C\/a\u003E. Researchers criticized the idea of the sick role because it assumed illnesses were temporary and did not account for chronic conditions or disability, which can last for long periods of time and do not necessarily allow people to deviate from their life obligations. The sick role assumed that all people have access to medical care, and it did not take into account how social characteristics like race, class, gender and age can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1467-9566.1991.tb00522.x\u0022\u003Einfluence a person\u2019s experience of illness\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Patient wearing surgical mask sitting in chair of exam room, talking to a doctor\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EEarly models of illness in medical sociology discounted the experience of the patient.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/man-talks-with-dr-stela-kostova-at-families-together-of-news-photo\/1470350026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EPaul Bersebach\/MediaNews Group\/Orange County Register via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParsons\u2019 sick role concept also emphasized the expertise of the physician rather than the patient\u2019s experience of illness. For example, sociologist Erving Goffman showed that the way \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9781351327763\u0022\u003Ecare is structured in asylums shaped how patients are treated\u003C\/a\u003E. He also examined how the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/stigmanotesonman0000goff\/page\/n5\/mode\/2up\u0022\u003Eexperience of stigma\u003C\/a\u003E is an interactive process that develops in response to social norms. This work influenced how researchers understood chronic illness and disability and laid the groundwork for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1467-9566.2009.01161.x\u0022\u003Elater debates on what counts as pathological or normal\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the 1970s, some researchers began to question the model of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1467-954X.1972.tb00220.x\u0022\u003Emedicine as an institution of social control\u003C\/a\u003E. They critiqued how medicine\u2019s jurisdiction expanded over many societal problems \u2013 such as old age and death \u2013 which were defined and treated as medical problems. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev.so.18.080192.001233\u0022\u003EResearchers were critical of the tendency to medicalize\u003C\/a\u003E and apply labels like \u201chealthy\u201d and \u201cill\u201d to increasing parts of human existence. This shift emphasized how a medical diagnosis can carry political weight and how medical authority can affect social inclusion or exclusion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe critical perspective aligns with critiques from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09687599.2013.818773\u0022\u003Edisability studies\u003C\/a\u003E. Unlike medical sociology, which emerged through the medical model of disease, disability studies emerged from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bloomsbury.com\/us\/new-politics-of-disablement-9780333945674\/\u0022\u003Edisability rights activism and scholarship\u003C\/a\u003E. Rather than viewing disability as pathological, this field sees disability as a variation of the human condition rooted in social barriers and exclusionary environments. Instead of seeking cures, researchers focus on increasing accessibility, human rights and autonomy for disabled people.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA contemporary figure in this field was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/disabilityvisibilityproject.com\/about\/\u0022\u003EAlice Wong\u003C\/a\u003E, a disability rights activist and medical sociologist who \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/obituaries\/2025\/11\/15\/disability-activist-alice-wong\/\u0022\u003Edied in November 2025\u003C\/a\u003E. Her work amplified disabled voices and helped shaped how the public understood disability justice and access to technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EStructural Forces Shape Health and Illness\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy focusing on social and structural influences on health, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Emedical sociology has contributed significantly\u003C\/a\u003E to programs addressing issues like segregation, discrimination, poverty, unemployment and underfunded schools.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, sociological research on racial health disparities invite \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383838\u0022\u003Eneighborhood interventions\u003C\/a\u003E that can help improve overall quality of life by increasing the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/free-school-meals-for-all-may-reduce-childhood-obesity-while-easing-financial-and-logistical-burdens-for-families-and-schools-223270\u0022\u003Eavailability of affordable nutritious foods\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-is-food-insecurity-152746\u0022\u003Ein underserved neighborhoods\u003C\/a\u003E or initiatives that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/socioeconomic-status-explains-most-of-the-racial-and-ethnic-achievement-gaps-in-elementary-school-237931\u0022\u003Eprioritize equal access to education\u003C\/a\u003E. At the societal level, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Elarge-scale social policies\u003C\/a\u003E such as guaranteed minimum incomes or universal health care can dramatically reduce health inequalities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022People carrying boxes of food under a tent\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=360\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=360\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=360\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=452\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=452\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=452\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAccess to nutritious food is critical to health.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/escondido-ca-juliana-ramos-of-interfaith-community-services-news-photo\/2243706444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EK.C. Alfred \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMedical sociology has also expanded the understanding of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Ehow health care policies affect health\u003C\/a\u003E, helping ensure that policy changes take into account the broader social context. For example, a key area of medical sociological research is the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383504\u0022\u003Erising cost of and limited access to health care\u003C\/a\u003E. This body of work focuses on the complex social and organizational factors of delivering health services. It highlights the need for more state and federal regulatory control as well as investment in groups and communities that need care the most.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModern medical sociology ultimately considers all societal issues to be health issues. Improving people\u2019s health and well-being requires improving education, employment, housing, transportation and other social, economic and political policies.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/270258\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/illness-is-more-than-just-biological-medical-sociology-shows-how-social-factors-get-under-the-skin-and-cause-disease-270258\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy studying the way social forces shape health inequalities, medical sociology helps address how health and illness extend beyond the body and into every aspect of people\u2019s lives.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By studying the way social forces shape health inequalities, medical sociology helps address how health and illness extend beyond the body and into every aspect of people\u2019s lives."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-01-08 15:37:58","changed_gmt":"2026-04-06 18:16:40","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-08T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-08T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678961":{"id":"678961","type":"image","title":"Lack of access to safe and affordable housing is harmful to health. Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELack of access to safe and affordable housing is harmful to health. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/los-angeles-ca-tuesday-may-31-2022-dana-vanderford-news-photo\/1242004141\u0022\u003ERobert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768232345","gmt_created":"2026-01-12 15:39:05","changed":"1768232345","gmt_changed":"2026-01-12 15:39:05","alt":"Lack of access to safe and affordable housing is harmful to health. Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"263064","name":"file-20260105-70-1qzwti.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/file-20260105-70-1qzwti.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/file-20260105-70-1qzwti.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":239539,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/12\/file-20260105-70-1qzwti.jpg?itok=J-V7i4lM"}}},"media_ids":["678961"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/illness-is-more-than-just-biological-medical-sociology-shows-how-social-factors-get-under-the-skin-and-cause-disease-270258","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/jennifer-singh-2531279\u0022\u003EJennifer Singh\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Professor of Sociology, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689006":{"#nid":"689006","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Conversation: Researchers develop biodegradable, plant\u2011based packaging from natural fibers \u2013 new research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=YpxchNkAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EJie Wu\u003C\/a\u003E, an engineering graduate student, was studying a type of striking white beetle found in Southeast Asia and attempting to figure out how to mimic its brilliant color when an unexpected discovery upended the experiment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJie and I had been hoping to identify naturally occurring whitening pigments that could be used in paper and paints. The beetle\u2019s white exoskeleton is made from a compound called chitin, which is a type of carbohydrate \u2013 one that is also commonly found in crab and lobster shells.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERead the full article in The Conversation here: https:\/\/bit.ly\/4uBteYr\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=YpxchNkAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EJie Wu\u003C\/a\u003E, an engineering graduate student, was studying a type of striking white beetle found in Southeast Asia and attempting to figure out how to mimic its brilliant color when an unexpected discovery upended the experiment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJie and I had been hoping to identify naturally occurring whitening pigments that could be used in paper and paints. The beetle\u2019s white exoskeleton is made from a compound called chitin, which is a type of carbohydrate \u2013 one that is also commonly found in crab and lobster shells.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Jie Wu, an engineering graduate student, was studying a type of striking white beetle found in Southeast Asia and attempting to figure out how to mimic its brilliant color when an unexpected discovery upended the experiment."}],"uid":"36757","created_gmt":"2026-03-17 20:13:54","changed_gmt":"2026-04-06 17:36:08","author":"ychernet3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: ychernet3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYanet Chernet\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Officer I\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689029":{"#nid":"689029","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How Sewage Treatment Plants Could Handle Food Waste, Sparing Landfills and the\u00a0Climate","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery day, food scraps disappear into trash bags, are hauled away and forgotten. But that waste could be turned into something productive.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross the United States, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rineng.2025.108822\u0022\u003Eabout 97 million metric tons of food waste\u003C\/a\u003E are discarded each year, of which about 37 million metric tons end up buried in landfills.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce underground, that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/land-research\/quantifying-methane-emissions-landfilled-food-waste\u0022\u003Eorganic material breaks down without oxygen and releases methane\u003C\/a\u003E, a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/gmi\/importance-methane\u0022\u003Eshort-lived yet powerful greenhouse gas\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the same time, the nutrients and energy stored in that food are permanently lost. But there is a better way. Research my colleagues and I conducted found that communities across the country already operate \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rineng.2025.108822\u0022\u003Efacilities designed to handle organic matter\u003C\/a\u003E: wastewater treatment plants. Many larger, well-funded plants already have the infrastructure to process food waste, though not every plant is ready to do so today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721478\/original\/file-20260302-57-kdsgd2.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A large truck dumps trash in a massive pile.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721478\/original\/file-20260302-57-kdsgd2.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721478\/original\/file-20260302-57-kdsgd2.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721478\/original\/file-20260302-57-kdsgd2.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721478\/original\/file-20260302-57-kdsgd2.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721478\/original\/file-20260302-57-kdsgd2.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721478\/original\/file-20260302-57-kdsgd2.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721478\/original\/file-20260302-57-kdsgd2.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ELandfills are not great places to dump food.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/ClimateFoodWasteBans\/4a9aca221b9b4f4fa6ea718c191494f0\/photo\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EAP Photo\/Damian Dovarganes\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELandfills Are Not Designed for Food Waste\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling\/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials\u0022\u003EFood waste\u003C\/a\u003E is fundamentally different from plastics, metals or glass. It\u2019s organic and can decompose naturally. But when it\u2019s placed in a landfill, its decomposition \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/land-research\/quantifying-methane-emissions-landfilled-food-waste\u0022\u003Eemits significant greenhouse gases\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModern landfills are designed to capture the methane emitted, but even the most \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/land-research\/quantifying-methane-emissions-landfilled-food-waste\u0022\u003Eefficient systems still allow almost 58%\u003C\/a\u003E to escape into the atmosphere. That food waste could be turned into energy or fertilizer, but instead it contributes to global warming.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy contrast, wastewater treatment plants \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rineng.2025.108822\u0022\u003Eprocess sewage using microbial communities\u003C\/a\u003E that naturally break down organic matter. Many also capture \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.anl.gov\/article\/tapping-the-potential-of-wastewater-for-a-sustainable-future\u0022\u003Emethane produced during treatment\u003C\/a\u003E and convert it into usable energy. Others \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/21655979.2022.2077894\u0022\u003Erecover nutrients such as phosphorus\u003C\/a\u003E that can be turned into agricultural fertilizer. Over time, many plants have evolved from simple sanitation systems into \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.psep.2025.107980\u0022\u003Eresource-recovery facilities\u003C\/a\u003E that generate power, reclaim materials and reduce environmental pollution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese existing systems already process organic matter and could handle food waste, too.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Happens When Food Waste Goes to a Treatment Plant\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur research examined what would happen if \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rineng.2025.108822\u0022\u003Efood waste were sent to wastewater treatment plants\u003C\/a\u003E rather than landfills. We used real data from a full-scale plant that handles food waste along with sewage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen we compared greenhouse gas emissions for the same food waste composition, we found that sending food to a landfill would emit 58.2 kilograms (129 pounds) of carbon dioxide equivalent per ton of food waste.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn comparison, we looked at a conventional wastewater treatment plant, the type of plant most common in the U.S. It achieved net-negative emissions of \u20130.03 kilograms (about 1 ounce) of carbon dioxide equivalent per ton of food waste treated. The plant captures over 95% of methane, compared to roughly 50% at landfills, saving the atmosphere from additional greenhouse gases.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut we found that the advanced treatment plant we studied reduced emissions further. In our analysis, the advanced facility achieved net-negative emissions of \u20130.19 kilograms (about 7 ounces) of carbon dioxide equivalent per ton of food waste treated.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth conventional and advanced plants achieve these benefits in similar ways. Treating food waste at either type of plant prevents the 58.2 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per ton that would otherwise escape from landfills. The plants capture biogas to generate renewable electricity, reducing the need to purchase power from the grid. They also recover enough nutrients to fertilize about 23 acres of farmland annually, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, which require \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/climate.mit.edu\/explainers\/fertilizer-and-climate-change\u0022\u003Eenergy-intensive mining and processing\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow the Logistics Work\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-right zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721492\/original\/file-20260302-63-9yd2a9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A brown plastic bin labeled \u0026apos;food scraps, yard waste.\u0026apos;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721492\/original\/file-20260302-63-9yd2a9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=237\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721492\/original\/file-20260302-63-9yd2a9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721492\/original\/file-20260302-63-9yd2a9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721492\/original\/file-20260302-63-9yd2a9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721492\/original\/file-20260302-63-9yd2a9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721492\/original\/file-20260302-63-9yd2a9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721492\/original\/file-20260302-63-9yd2a9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ENew York City has a large food waste collection program.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/new-york-citys-new-food-scrap-bins-support-composting-for-news-photo\/2192835316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EDeb Cohn-Orbach\/UCG\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGetting the food waste to a wastewater plant doesn\u2019t mean people put their food scraps in the drain or grind them up with an in-sink disposal. At the plant we studied, food waste was collected separately, much like recycling or yard waste, and transported by truck to treatment plants. Our emissions calculations don\u2019t include truck emissions, because trucks are used in the other methods of food waste disposal as well.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome cities already collect food waste by truck to go to composting facilities. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sfenvironment.org\/recycling-composting-faqs\u0022\u003ESan Francisco\u003C\/a\u003E has done so since 1996. And \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dec.ny.gov\/environmental-protection\/recycling-composting\/organic-materials-management\u0022\u003ENew York City\u003C\/a\u003E has the nation\u2019s largest curbside organics collection, which composts food waste from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/assets\/dsny\/downloads\/resources\/reports\/zero-waste-plan\/zero-waste-report-2025.pdf\u0022\u003E3.4 million households\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the southeastern U.S. treatment plant we studied, trucks deliver food waste to a receiving station, where it\u2019s processed to remove plastics, metals and other nonorganic materials before being blended into a slurry with the sewage solids. This mixture is then added to anaerobic digesters \u2013 sealed tanks where microorganisms break down organic material.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe methane that is produced is captured to generate electricity and heat. The remaining \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rineng.2025.108822\u0022\u003Esolid material is rich in nutrients\u003C\/a\u003E and can be used to produce useful material, such as fertilizer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe also found that adding food waste did not overload the plant or cause problems in its operation. The facility processed all of the county\u2019s landfilled food waste \u2013 107,320 tons annually, representing 38% of the county\u2019s total food waste generation. Because of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/anaerobic-digestion\/anaerobic-digestion-facilities-processing-food-waste-us-2020-2021\u0022\u003Efood waste\u2019s lower density compared to wastewater\u003C\/a\u003E, this added only 0.43% to the plant\u2019s daily capacity. The plant consistently met effluent water regulatory standards. And at certain points, treatment efficiency improved as a result of the additional organic material, which supported the system\u2019s biological processes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Economics May Surprise Cities\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELocal officials, as well as taxpayers, are often worried about the potential costs of a project like this. Wastewater treatment is already expensive, and communities\u2019 existing plants may be nearing capacity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the economic results from our analysis suggest that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rineng.2025.108822\u0022\u003Ehandling food waste in wastewater treatment plants can be financially viable\u003C\/a\u003E. Towns already pay landfills and incinerators what are called \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/692063\/cost-to-landfill-municipal-solid-waste-by-us-region\/\u0022\u003Etipping fees\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d based on the weight of the waste delivered. Wastewater treatment plants can also charge these fees.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey can also sell, or use themselves, the methane produced and sell the fertilizer. That additional income means plants can make money even if they charge lower tipping fees than landfills.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot every wastewater plant is ready to accept food waste immediately. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rineng.2025.108822\u0022\u003EThe facility we analyzed is large and well equipped\u003C\/a\u003E. Smaller operations would likely require new or upgraded equipment, which would involve planning and local investment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe overall finding of our research is that the limitation isn\u2019t technological or financial. The core systems already exist to transform food waste into a recoverable resource: Cities already handle organic material every day. And they operate complex biological treatment systems. Our evidence suggests these facilities could, in fact, handle food waste in ways that are environmentally beneficial and economically realistic.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/275529\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-sewage-treatment-plants-could-handle-food-waste-sparing-landfills-and-the-climate-275529\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEvery day, food scraps disappear into trash bags, are hauled away and forgotten. But that waste could be turned into something productive.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Every day, food scraps disappear into trash bags, are hauled away and forgotten. But that waste could be turned into something productive."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-13 17:18:08","changed_gmt":"2026-04-06 17:35:50","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679686":{"id":"679686","type":"image","title":" Treatment plants can capture over 95% of methane from food waste, compared to about 50% at landfills. Justin Sullivan\/Getty Images","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETreatment plants can capture over 95% of methane from food waste, compared to about 50% at landfills. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/in-an-aerial-view-pools-of-water-are-visible-at-the-east-news-photo\/2099926548\u0022\u003EJustin Sullivan\/Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1773925185","gmt_created":"2026-03-19 12:59:45","changed":"1773925185","gmt_changed":"2026-03-19 12:59:45","alt":" Treatment plants can capture over 95% of methane from food waste, compared to about 50% at landfills. Justin Sullivan\/Getty Images","file":{"fid":"263876","name":"file-20260302-63-43jh51.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260302-63-43jh51.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260302-63-43jh51.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":680708,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260302-63-43jh51.jpg?itok=NHXFlf7h"}}},"media_ids":["679686"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-sewage-treatment-plants-could-handle-food-waste-sparing-landfills-and-the-climate-275529","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/ahmed-ibrahim-yunus-2418775\u0022\u003EAhmed Ibrahim Yunus\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/joe-frank-bozeman-iii-1460712\u0022\u003EJoe Frank Bozeman III\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Public Policy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689014":{"#nid":"689014","#data":{"type":"news","title":"US Military Leans Into AI for Attack on Iran, But the Tech Doesn\u2019t Lessen the Need for Human Judgment In\u00a0War","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. military was able \u201cto strike a blistering 1,000 targets in the first 24 hours of its attack on Iran\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/technology\/2026\/03\/04\/anthropic-ai-iran-campaign\/\u0022\u003Ethanks in part to its use of artificial intelligence\u003C\/a\u003E, according to The Washington Post. The military has used Claude, the AI tool from Anthropic, combined with Palantir\u2019s Maven system, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/national-security\/pentagon-used-anthropics-claude-in-maduro-venezuela-raid-583aff17\u0022\u003Efor real-time targeting and target prioritization\u003C\/a\u003E in support of combat operations in Iran and Venezuela.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile Claude is only a few years old, the U.S. military\u2019s ability to use it, or any other AI, did not emerge overnight. The effective use of automated systems depends on extensive infrastructure and skilled personnel. It is only thanks to many decades of investment and experience that the U.S. can use AI in war today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn my experience as an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=Lde9BAgAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Einternational relations scholar\u003C\/a\u003E studying strategic technology at Georgia Tech, and previously as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cornellpress.cornell.edu\/book\/9781501749568\/information-technology-and-military-power\/\u0022\u003EI find\u003C\/a\u003E that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cornellpress.cornell.edu\/book\/9781501783234\/age-of-deception\u0022\u003Edigital systems\u003C\/a\u003E are only as good as the organizations that use them. Some organizations squander the potential of advanced technologies, while others can compensate for technological weaknesses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMyth and Reality in Military AI\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScience fiction tales of military AI are often misleading. Popular ideas of killer robots and drone swarms tend to overstate the autonomy of AI systems and understate the role of human beings. Success, or failure, in war usually depends not on machines but the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/press.princeton.edu\/books\/paperback\/9780691128023\/military-power\u0022\u003Epeople who use them\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the real world, military AI refers to a huge collection of different systems and tasks. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.55163\/YQBY3151\u0022\u003Etwo main categories\u003C\/a\u003E are automated weapons and decision support systems. Automated weapon systems have some ability to select or engage targets by themselves. These weapons are more often the subject of science fiction and the focus of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.routledge.com\/Responsible-Use-of-AI-in-Military-Systems\/Schraagen\/p\/book\/9781032531168\u0022\u003Econsiderable debate\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDecision support systems, in contrast, are now at the heart of most modern militaries. These are software applications that provide intelligence and planning information to human personnel. Many military applications of AI, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/tech\/ai\/how-ai-is-turbocharging-the-war-in-iran-aca59002\u0022\u003Eincluding in current and recent wars in the Middle East\u003C\/a\u003E, are for decision support systems rather than weapons. Modern combat organizations rely on countless digital applications for intelligence analysis, campaign planning, battle management, communications, logistics, administration and cybersecurity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClaude is an example of a decision support system, not a weapon. Claude is embedded in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/wwnorton.com\/books\/9781324123316\u0022\u003EMaven Smart System\u003C\/a\u003E, used widely by military, intelligence and law enforcement organizations. Maven uses AI algorithms to identify potential targets from satellite and other intelligence data, and Claude helps military planners sort the information and decide on targets and priorities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Israeli \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2024\/apr\/03\/israel-gaza-ai-database-hamas-airstrikes\u0022\u003ELavender and Gospel\u003C\/a\u003E systems used in the Gaza war and elsewhere are also decision support systems. These AI applications provide analytical and planning support, but human beings ultimately make the decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9NAUvsABm3k?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EResearcher Craig Jones explains how the U.S. military is using artificial intelligence in its attack on Iran, and some of the issues that arise from its use.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Long History of Military AI\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWeapons with some degree of autonomy have been used in war for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/global.oup.com\/academic\/product\/the-hand-behind-unmanned-9780190064389\u0022\u003Ewell over a century\u003C\/a\u003E. Nineteenth-century naval mines exploded on contact. German buzz bombs in World War II were gyroscopically guided. Homing torpedoes and heat-seeking missiles alter their trajectory to intercept maneuvering targets. Many air defense systems, such as Israel\u2019s Iron Dome and the U.S. Patriot system, have long offered fully automatic modes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cornellpress.cornell.edu\/book\/9781501783838\/the-remote-revolution\u0022\u003ERobotic drones\u003C\/a\u003E became prevalent in the wars of the 21st century. Uncrewed systems now perform a variety of \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/HRI61500.2025.10974142\u0022\u003Edull, dirty and dangerous\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d tasks on land, at sea, in the air and in orbit. Remotely piloted vehicles like the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper or Israeli Hermes 900, which can loiter autonomously for many hours, provide a platform for reconnaissance and strikes. Combatants in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ig.ft.com\/ukraine-kill-zone\/\u0022\u003ERussia-Ukraine war\u003C\/a\u003E have pioneered the use of first-person view drones as kamikaze munitions. Some drones rely on AI to acquire targets because electronic jamming precludes remote control by human operators.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut systems that automate reconnaissance and strikes are merely the most visible parts of the automation revolution. The ability to see farther and hit faster dramatically increases the information processing burden on military organizations. This is where decision support systems come in. If automated weapons improve the eyes and arms of a military, decision support systems augment the brain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECold War era \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apps.dtic.mil\/sti\/tr\/pdf\/ADA421917.pdf\u0022\u003Ecommand and control\u003C\/a\u003E systems anticipated modern decision support systems such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ynetnews.com\/magazine\/article\/bkhsmzjyzg\u0022\u003EIsrael\u2019s AI-enabled Tzayad\u003C\/a\u003E for battle management. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mitpress.mit.edu\/9780262550284\/the-closed-world\/\u0022\u003EAutomation research projects\u003C\/a\u003E like the United States\u2019 Semi-Automatic Ground Environment, or SAGE, in the 1950s produced important innovations in computer memory and interfaces. In the U.S. war in Vietnam, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1353\/jmh.0.0024\u0022\u003EIgloo White\u003C\/a\u003E gathered intelligence data into a centralized computer for coordinating U.S. airstrikes on North Vietnamese supply lines. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mitpress.mit.edu\/9780262529266\/strategic-computing\/\u0022\u003Estrategic computing\u003C\/a\u003E program in the 1980s spurred advances in semiconductors and expert systems. Indeed, defense funding originally enabled the rise of AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOrganizations Enable Automated Warfare\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAutomated weapons and decision support systems rely on complementary organizational innovation. From the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/books\/OL5205631M\/The_electronic_battlefield\u0022\u003EElectronic Battlefield\u003C\/a\u003E of Vietnam to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apps.dtic.mil\/sti\/tr\/pdf\/ADA202888.pdf\u0022\u003EAirLand Battle\u003C\/a\u003E doctrine of the late Cold War and later concepts of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usni.org\/magazines\/proceedings\/1998\/january\/network-centric-warfare-its-origin-and-future\u0022\u003Enetwork-centric warfare\u003C\/a\u003E, the U.S. military has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sup.org\/books\/politics\/culture-military-innovation\u0022\u003Edeveloped new ideas and organizational concepts\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParticularly noteworthy is the emergence of a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/us.macmillan.com\/books\/9781466876224\/relentlessstrike\/\u0022\u003Enew style of special operations\u003C\/a\u003E during the U.S. global war on terrorism. AI-enabled decision support systems became invaluable for finding terrorist operatives, planning raids to kill or capture them, and analyzing intelligence collected in the process. Systems like Maven became essential for this style of counterterrorism.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe impressive \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/9fae8d27-19ee-437a-8be7-9bceae973001\u0022\u003EAmerican way of war\u003C\/a\u003E on display in Venezuela and Iran is the fruition of decades of trial and error. The U.S. military has honed complex processes for gathering intelligence from many sources, analyzing target systems, evaluating options for attacking them, coordinating joint operations and assessing bomb damage. The only reason AI can be used throughout the targeting cycle is that countless human personnel everywhere work to keep it running.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI gives rise to important concerns about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cset.georgetown.edu\/publication\/ai-safety-and-automation-bias\/\u0022\u003Eautomation bias\u003C\/a\u003E, or the tendency for people to give excessive weight to automated decisions, in military targeting. But these are not new concerns. Igloo White was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mitpress.mit.edu\/9780262550284\/the-closed-world\/\u0022\u003Eoften misled\u003C\/a\u003E by Vietnamese decoys. A state-of-the-art U.S. Aegis cruiser \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/press.princeton.edu\/books\/paperback\/9780691002477\/trapped-in-the-net\u0022\u003Eaccidentally shot down\u003C\/a\u003E an Iranian airliner in 1988. Intelligence mistakes led U.S. stealth bombers to accidentally strike the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cornellpress.cornell.edu\/book\/9781501749568\/information-technology-and-military-power\/\u0022\u003EChinese embassy\u003C\/a\u003E in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1999.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany Iraqi and Afghan civilians died due to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0162243917703463\u0022\u003Eanalytical mistakes\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0162243917727353\u0022\u003Ecultural biases\u003C\/a\u003E within the U.S. military. Most recently, evidence suggests that a Tomahawk cruise missile \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/03\/05\/world\/middleeast\/iran-school-us-strikes-naval-base.html\u0022\u003Estruck a girls school\u003C\/a\u003E adjacent to an Iranian naval base, killing about 175 people, mostly students. This targeting could have resulted from a U.S. intelligence failure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAutomated Prediction Needs Human Judgment\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe successes and failures of decision support systems in war are due more to organizational factors than technology. AI can help organizations improve their efficiency, but AI can also amplify organizational biases. While it may be tempting to blame Lavender for excessive civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/12\/26\/world\/middleeast\/israel-hamas-gaza-bombing.html\u0022\u003Elax Israeli rules of engagement\u003C\/a\u003E likely matter more than automation bias.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the name implies, decision support systems support human decision-making; AI does not replace people. Human personnel still play important roles in designing, managing, interpreting, validating, evaluating, repairing and protecting their systems and data flows. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/press.princeton.edu\/books\/hardcover\/9780691265148\/ai-automation-and-war\u0022\u003ECommanders still command\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn economic terms, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/direct.mit.edu\/books\/book\/4564\/The-Promise-of-Artificial-IntelligenceReckoning\u0022\u003EAI improves prediction\u003C\/a\u003E, which means generating new data based on existing data. But prediction is only one part of decision-making. People ultimately make the judgments that matter about what to predict and how to use predictions. People have preferences, values and commitments regarding real-world outcomes, but AI systems \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/direct.mit.edu\/books\/book\/4564\/The-Promise-of-Artificial-IntelligenceReckoning\u0022\u003Eintrinsically do not\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn my view, this means that increasing military use of AI is actually making \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1162\/isec_a_00425\u0022\u003Ehumans more important in war\u003C\/a\u003E, not less.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/277831\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us-military-leans-into-ai-for-attack-on-iran-but-the-tech-doesnt-lessen-the-need-for-human-judgment-in-war-277831\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDigital systems are only as good as the organizations that use them. Some organizations squander the potential of advanced technologies, while others can compensate for technological weaknesses.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Digital systems are only as good as the organizations that use them. Some organizations squander the potential of advanced technologies, while others can compensate for technological weaknesses."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-11 15:21:47","changed_gmt":"2026-04-06 17:35:32","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679670":{"id":"679670","type":"image","title":" black and white aerial view of an airfield AI is helping U.S. forces find and choose targets in Iran, like this airfield. U.S. Central Command via AP","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022black and white aerial view of an airfield\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI is helping U.S. forces find and choose targets in Iran, like this airfield. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/IranUSIsrael\/e22cbe9b12c7435b9d6b2e9dac131fd5\/photo?vs=false\u0026amp;currentItemNo=32\u0026amp;startingItemNo=150\u0022\u003EU.S. Central Command via AP\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1773852352","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 16:45:52","changed":"1773852352","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 16:45:52","alt":" black and white aerial view of an airfield AI is helping U.S. forces find and choose targets in Iran, like this airfield. U.S. Central Command via AP","file":{"fid":"263859","name":"file-20260310-69-smke4w.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/file-20260310-69-smke4w.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/file-20260310-69-smke4w.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":349331,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/file-20260310-69-smke4w.jpg?itok=KxNWX1rr"}}},"media_ids":["679670"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us-military-leans-into-ai-for-attack-on-iran-but-the-tech-doesnt-lessen-the-need-for-human-judgment-in-war-277831","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/jon-r-lindsay-2615502\u0022\u003EJon R. Lindsay\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of Cybersecurity and Privacy and of International Affairs, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689015":{"#nid":"689015","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Successful USDA Program That Has Supported More Than 533,000 Affordable Rental Homes in Rural America is Getting Phased\u00a0Out","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/rent-apartments-cities-near-me-biggest-increases\/\u0022\u003EThe high cost of renting and buying homes in U.S. cities\u003C\/a\u003E is no secret. But this affordability problem isn\u2019t limited to urban regions \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/research\/2025\/06\/the-deterioration-of-housing-affordability-in-rural-america\/\u0022\u003Eit affects rural areas as well\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERural areas, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fhfa.gov\/blog\/insights\/who-lives-in-rural-america\u0022\u003Ehome to about 25% of Americans\u003C\/a\u003E, benefit from federally supported rental housing programs \u2013 particularly a U.S. Department of Agriculture program to provide affordable homes for low-income residents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ruralhome.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/storage\/documents\/rd515rental.pdf\u0022\u003EUSDA\u2019s Section 515 program\u003C\/a\u003E is the primary way that the U.S. government finances affordable rental homes in rural communities. Since its inception in 1963, the program has supported the construction of over \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pfs2.acl.gov\/strapib\/assets\/Rural_Housing_Programs_Chapter_Summary_50076d51da.pdf\u0022\u003E533,000 apartments, townhouses\u003C\/a\u003E and other small, multifamily rental homes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program offers below-market-rate loans to private and nonprofit developers who build and manage residential housing for low-income residents in small towns and rural counties. The terms of the deal between property owners and the government obliges these landlords to keep rents affordable for their occupants for decades, generally restricting rent to about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hudexchange.info\/programs\/home\/home-income-limits\/\u0022\u003E30% of tenants\u2019 income\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELast New Loans Were in 2011\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeople who live in Section 515 housing typically \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ruralhousingcoalition.org\/section-515-rural-rental-housing-loans\/#:%7E:text=The%20USDA%20says%20that%20Section%20515%20housing,more%20than%20$325%20per%20unit%20per%20month\u0022\u003Epay around US$325 per month\u003C\/a\u003E. That\u2019s much less than rural market-rate rents, which \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.apartments.com\/blog\/states-with-the-cheapest-rent\u0022\u003Etypically run $800-$1,100 per month\u003C\/a\u003E for modest homes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nlihc.org\/sites\/default\/files\/AG-2025\/4-131_USDA-Rural-Rental-Housing-Programs.pdf\u0022\u003EUSDA stopped issuing new Section 515 loans in 2011\u003C\/a\u003E, this arrangement is phasing out now as existing loans mature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELoans for about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ruralhome.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/storage\/documents\/publications\/rrreports\/rental_housing_for_a_21st_century_rural_america_ui.pdf\u0022\u003E90% of all remaining Section 515 homes\u003C\/a\u003E will mature by 2045, according to the Housing\u2002Assistance Council, a national nonprofit that supports affordable housing efforts throughout rural America. By 2050, the owners of nearly all properties currently in the program\u2019s portfolio are projected to have paid off their mortgages.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd once most of the owners of these homes exit the Section 515 program, it will have been fully phased out.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u00226NXiF\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/6NXiF\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAn Often-Overlooked Housing Program\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/c9f0cadc-5bb4-5b6f-9eca-bd38a9233993\u0022\u003Epublic policy professor who studies housing\u003C\/a\u003E, I wanted to understand what happens when Section 515 loans mature. I also was interested in what determines whether properties remain affordable or leave the program after the loans are paid off.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo find out, I worked with three other housing policy researchers on a national study that was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10511482.2025.2531878\u0022\u003Epeer-reviewed and published\u003C\/a\u003E in Housing Policy Debate in September 2025.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs of 2024, these loans were still supporting \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pfs2.acl.gov\/strapib\/assets\/Rural_Housing_Programs_Chapter_Summary_50076d51da.pdf\u0022\u003Esome 400,000 homes\u003C\/a\u003E on almost \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/32-2024-RHS.pdf\u0022\u003E13,000 properties\u003C\/a\u003E across \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rd.usda.gov\/media\/file\/download\/hac-mfh-ta-fact-sheet.pdf\u0022\u003E87% of all U.S. counties\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe roughly 750,000 Americans in those homes are among the nation\u2019s poorest. The average household income of someone living in Section 515 housing in 2023 was just about $16,000 per year, which was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/seekingalpha.com\/article\/4655566-median-household-income-in-october-2023\u0022\u003Eonly about one-fifth of the national median household income\u003C\/a\u003E, which hovered around $76,600 during the same period in inflation-adjusted 2023 dollars.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to having a very low income, more than 60% of the people enrolled in the program are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nhlp.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Rural-Preservation-Handbook.pdf\u0022\u003Eover 62, have disabilities, or fall into both\u003C\/a\u003E of those categories.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMarket-Rate Options After Maturity\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe vast majority of these affordable rental homes were built in the 1970s through the 1990s and financed with USDA loans that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cura.umn.edu\/research\/usda-section-515-program-quantitative-analysis\u0022\u003Elast between 30 and 50 years\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy 2050, there will be no Section 515 housing left.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe owners of these rental properties no longer have to keep rents affordable once they have paid off their loans. And their owners and tenants may also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rd.usda.gov\/programs-services\/multifamily-housing-programs\/multifamily-housing-rental-assistancee\u0022\u003Elose access to a USDA rental assistance\u003C\/a\u003E program, which helps keep tenants\u2019 housing costs low.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey can refinance the homes or sell\u2002the properties. They also can continue to charge affordable rents to occupants or convert those units to market rate. Because of this flexibility, a large share of rural affordable housing units could soon be converted to properties rented at market rates.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat the Data Shows So Far\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor this study, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10511482.2025.2531878\u0022\u003Eour research team analyzed data\u003C\/a\u003E from nearly 15,000 of the Section 515 properties throughout the country, which have been placed in service since 1963 \u2013 including many that are no longer providing rural affordable housing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe found that the largest factors determining whether a building remains affordable after a Section 515 loan matures are who owns and manages\u2002that property. Buildings owned by for-profit companies are far more likely to leave the program than those that belong to nonprofit housing organizations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENonprofit-owned\u2002buildings, after accounting for building age and local market conditions, are 30% to 40% less likely to convert formerly Section 515 affordable housing into market-rate properties after the owners pay off their loans.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter analyzing this data, we also concluded that buildings run by small property management companies are more likely to leave the program than those managed by larger ones. Properties where the owner manages the homes are also more likely to exit.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELandlords owning more residential properties were also more likely to exit the program. This indicates that larger landlords may be able to afford the renovations and upgrades required to turn their buildings into market-rate housing once restrictions end.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721319\/original\/file-20260302-71-tbznw9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;rect=0%2C124%2C8256%2C4644\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A symbolic wooden house, containg a stack of $1 bills and a money bag with a dollar symbol, sits next to an alarm clock in a grocery cart.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721319\/original\/file-20260302-71-tbznw9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;rect=0%2C124%2C8256%2C4644\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721319\/original\/file-20260302-71-tbznw9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=356\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721319\/original\/file-20260302-71-tbznw9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=356\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721319\/original\/file-20260302-71-tbznw9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=356\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721319\/original\/file-20260302-71-tbznw9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=447\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721319\/original\/file-20260302-71-tbznw9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=447\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721319\/original\/file-20260302-71-tbznw9.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=447\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ETime is running out on the nation\u2019s main affordable housing program in rural areas.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/symbolic-wooden-house-a-stack-of-us1-bills-and-a-royalty-free-image\/2206515182?adppopup=true\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EMax Zolotukhin\/iStock via Getty Images Plus\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy Subsidies and Local Markets Matter\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving subsidies through other government programs can help keep affordable housing units from being converted to market-rate housing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne-third of Section 515 properties also get support from other programs, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/helping-americans\/housing-choice-vouchers-tenants\u0022\u003ESection 8 vouchers\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.novoco.com\/resource-centers\/affordable-housing-tax-credits\/about-lihtc\u0022\u003Elow-income housing tax credits\u003C\/a\u003E. Those tax credits are another federal incentive that\u2019s provided to developers who build and rehabilitate affordable rental housing while allowing lower rents for low-income tenants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose properties are more likely to remain affordable, even years after some of these tax incentives expire.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELocal economic conditions can play a role too. In areas with high unemployment rates, large military populations and low housing inventory, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10511482.2025.2531878\u0022\u003Eproperties are also more likely to exit\u003C\/a\u003E the program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat means the same rural counties experiencing economic or demographic pressures are often the most likely to have a decline in affordable housing units when owners pay off their Section 515 loans.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESteps That Can Be Taken\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECongress and the USDA have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.us-hc.com\/blogs\/rhs-makes-funds-available-for-section-515-demonstration-program\/\u0022\u003Etaken some steps\u003C\/a\u003E to slow the loss of affordable housing in rural areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, the USDA has funded preservation efforts such as the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rd.usda.gov\/programs-services\/multifamily-housing-programs\/multifamily-preservation-and-revitalization-mpr\u0022\u003EMultifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization\u003C\/a\u003E pilot program, which provides grants, loan restructuring and other financing tools to help repair aging Section 515 properties and extend their affordability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese efforts have helped preserve some buildings and support ownership transfers from private sector landlords to nonprofit housing groups. But they spend only tens of millions of dollars per year and focus mainly on maintaining existing properties rather than building new housing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers estimate that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs_external_products\/R\/PDF\/R47044\/R47044.1.pdf\u0022\u003Eabout $5.6 billion in repairs\u003C\/a\u003E would be needed to preserve the affordable housing currently tied to the Section 515 program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome lawmakers have proposed reforms aimed at doing more than chipping away at the loss of this kind of affordable housing. The bipartisan \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.naco.org\/news\/congressional-leaders-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-protect-rural-housing\u0022\u003ERural Housing Service Reform Act\u003C\/a\u003E, first introduced in 2023 and reintroduced in 2025, would modernize USDA rural housing programs and allow certain rental assistance contracts to continue after mortgages mature. As of early 2026, the bill remains under consideration.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the next two decades, most of these landlords will pay off their Section 515 loans. Unless the government reinvigorates the program or replaces it with something else, much of rural America\u2019s affordable rental housing could gradually disappear as owners convert all Section 515 properties to market-rate housing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether rural communities retain affordable housing will depend not only on what the federal government does, but also on the properties\u2019 owners.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/273637\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/a-successful-usda-program-that-has-supported-more-than-533-000-affordable-rental-homes-in-rural-america-is-getting-phased-out-273637\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe high cost of renting and buying homes in U.S. cities is no secret. But this affordability problem isn\u2019t limited to urban regions \u2013 it affects rural areas as well.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The high cost of renting and buying homes in U.S. cities is no secret. But this affordability problem isn\u2019t limited to urban regions \u2013 it affects rural areas as well."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-12 17:07:54","changed_gmt":"2026-04-06 17:35:07","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679671":{"id":"679671","type":"image","title":"Low-income Americans in rural areas can struggle to pay market-rate rents. mphillips007\/iStock via Getty Images Plus","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELow-income Americans in rural areas can struggle to pay market-rate rents. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/housing-market-inflation-and-interest-rates-royalty-free-image\/1395524032?adppopup=true\u0022\u003Emphillips007\/iStock via Getty Images Plus\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773853784","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 17:09:44","changed":"1773853784","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 17:09:44","alt":"Low-income Americans in rural areas can struggle to pay market-rate rents. mphillips007\/iStock via Getty Images Plus","file":{"fid":"263860","name":"file-20260302-57-nqoztj.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/file-20260302-57-nqoztj.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/file-20260302-57-nqoztj.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":125948,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/file-20260302-57-nqoztj.jpg?itok=Yq-cZ8Mz"}}},"media_ids":["679671"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/a-successful-usda-program-that-has-supported-more-than-533-000-affordable-rental-homes-in-rural-america-is-getting-phased-out-273637","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/brian-y-an-1461778\u0022\u003EBrian Y. An\u003C\/a\u003E, Co-Director of Center for Urban Research, Director of Master of Science in Public Policy Program, and Assistant Professor of Public Policy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689444":{"#nid":"689444","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Why the Strait of Hormuz Is More Than an Energy Crisis ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERising oil and gasoline prices have been the center of attention since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But that immediate effect tells only part of the story. Because oil and gas underpin production, transportation, and logistics, higher energy costs will gradually move through supply chains \u2014 meaning the most significant economic consequences may not appear for months.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe effects move slowly and appear in places people do not connect to energy,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/tibor-besedes\u0022\u003ETibor Besedes\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the School of Economics. \u201cOil and natural gas are part of the cost structure for an enormous range of goods.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAbout 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows through the waterway linking the Persian Gulf to world markets. When that flow is constrained, the impact ripples outward across industries most people never associate with an energy crisis.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn complex supply chains, a disruption in one critical link, even if only briefly, can cascade through the system, well beyond the initial event,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/pinar-keskinocak\u0022\u003EPinar Keskinocak\u003C\/a\u003E, chair and professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. \u201cAs delays persist and compound, interconnected systems often take a long time to recover, rebalance, and return to normal.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrice Pressures That Arrive Quietly\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarly effects are already visible.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJet fuel availability is tightening, and diesel prices are rising across Asia. China has ordered refineries to stop exporting fuel, creating shortages that are increasing shipping costs for U.S. imports, from consumer electronics to pharmaceuticals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe strait is also a key corridor for naphtha, a feedstock used to produce plastics, packaging, solvents, textiles, and pharmaceutical components. Roughly 85% of Middle Eastern polyethylene exports move through the strait.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cConsumers won\u0027t see the effect of this quickly,\u201d Besedes says, \u201cbut the longer the strait is closed, the higher the cost will be of all of these products naphtha is used for.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAluminum is equally exposed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSmelters require sustained, low-cost energy,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/expert\/chris-gaffney\u0022\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor of the practice in the Stewart School. \u201cThe Middle East accounted for roughly 21% of U.S. unwrought aluminum imports in 2025. When energy prices spike or supply is constrained, capacity is reduced or shut down, and those decisions are difficult and slow to reverse.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFertilizer is one of the clearest examples of delayed inflation. Natural gas is essential for its production, and Persian Gulf states account for one-third of global urea exports and half of global sulfur exports. Urea prices at the New Orleans import hub have already climbed sharply.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe won\u0027t see the effects quickly, but rather in six to 12 months, depending on the crop and its cycle,\u201d Besedes says. \u201cWithout or with less fertilizer, crop yields will decrease, resulting in higher prices.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Hormuz Is Different From Other Chokepoints\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn top of all those factors, the strait closure presents a uniquely dangerous vulnerability.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnlike a port strike or canal blockage, there is no meaningful way to reroute volume,\u201d says Gaffney. \u201cIf it is disrupted, flow is constrained rather than redirected.\u201d Pipeline alternatives replace only a fraction of the 20 million barrels per day that normally transit the strait.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cChoke point vulnerability arises when a large portion of flow depends on a route that is hard to substitute,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/mathieu-dahan\u0022\u003EMathieu Dahan\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the Stewart School. \u201cHormuz has no scalable alternatives with sufficient capacity.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/alan-erera\u0022\u003EAlan Erera\u003C\/a\u003E, senior associate chair in the Stewart School expanded on Dahan\u2019s point, noting that strait disruptions raise costs across manufacturing and distribution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cShips are rerouted onto longer paths, which drives up fuel and labor costs, ties up vessels and containers for longer periods, and ultimately raises inventory costs for shippers because capital is locked up while goods are still in transit,\u201d Erera said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhen Geopolitics Meets Global Supply Chains\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, the strait closure raises the risk of wartime miscalculation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe haven\u2019t seen a disruption on this scale since the tanker wars of the late 1980s,\u201d said Larry Rubin, associate professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs. Gulf states\u0027 dependence on the strait constrains both regional actors and U.S. strategy, raising risks around crisis decision-making.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERubin also points to a dimension most coverage has missed entirely. \u201cOne thing that has been overlooked by many commentators is the fact that the Iranian people have probably been hit the hardest economically,\u201d he says. \u201cThey were already in a challenging situation. The Iranian economy won\u0027t recover quickly after the war.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResilience Has a Short Memory\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, for the United States, \u201cThe Strategic Petroleum Reserve provides a buffer, and domestic energy production has improved resilience,\u201d says Gaffney. \u201cBut the gap remains between enabling capacity and sustaining resilience. Policy can support infrastructure, but it cannot ensure private sector participants invest in resilience when cost pressures rise.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor policymakers and industry leaders, the disruption reinforces a familiar pattern. \u0022The supply chain remains optimized for efficiency rather than resilience, in part due to the high investment costs required to build flexibility,\u0022 says Dahan.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGaffney added that resilience does improve after disruption, but that \u201cit erodes over time if not actively maintained.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven if the strait reopens, higher costs and slow restart timelines mean the system will not snap back. Experts suggest that when headlines have moved on from this disruption, it will still be shaping prices across the economy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe closure of the Strait of Hormuz is sending shockwaves far beyond rising gas prices, threatening to reshape global supply chains for months or even years to come. With roughly 20% of the world\u0027s oil and liquefied natural gas flowing through this critical chokepoint, disruptions are already rippling across industries from plastics and pharmaceuticals to aluminum, fertilizers, and consumer electronics. Unlike other trade disruptions, the strait offers no scalable rerouting alternatives, forcing longer shipping paths that drive up fuel, labor, and inventory costs worldwide. Experts warn that the most severe economic consequences \u2014 including higher food prices, reduced crop yields, and costlier manufactured goods \u2014 may not surface for six to twelve months, long after headlines have moved on. As global supply chains remain optimized for efficiency over resilience, the Hormuz crisis exposes just how vulnerable interconnected economies are to a single point of failure in international energy trade.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech experts warn that disruptions at the world\u0027s most critical energy choke point will ripple far beyond oil and gas prices. "}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2026-04-03 15:45:08","changed_gmt":"2026-04-03 17:36:56","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679846":{"id":"679846","type":"image","title":"Strait of Hormuz","body":null,"created":"1775237120","gmt_created":"2026-04-03 17:25:20","changed":"1775237252","gmt_changed":"2026-04-03 17:27:32","alt":"Image of a map of Iran, with a magnifying glass over the Strait of Hormuz","file":{"fid":"264054","name":"Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/03\/Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/03\/Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":255785,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/03\/Strait-Of-Hormuz.jpeg?itok=98t95NPB"}}},"media_ids":["679846"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"194610","name":"National Interests\/National Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"167074","name":"Supply Chain"},{"id":"194979","name":"strait of hormuz"},{"id":"8319","name":"iran"},{"id":"194980","name":"iran conflict"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689446":{"#nid":"689446","#data":{"type":"news","title":"GTRI Supports Initiative to Assess Quantum Computing Efforts","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EQuantum computers may one day enable revolutionary advances in fluid dynamics, drug discovery, development of better agricultural fertilizers, improved materials design and other technical areas that are beyond the capabilities of today\u2019s conventional computers. To reach those goals, companies from around the world are pursuing a variety of approaches aimed at developing large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe approaches of over a dozen quantum computing companies are now being evaluated through the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI), a project of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). According to the agency, QBI \u201caims to rigorously verify and validate whether any quantum computing approach can achieve utility-scale operation \u2013 meaning its computational value exceeds its cost \u2013 by the year 2033.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupporting the effort, a 40-person interdisciplinary research team from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) has joined the test and evaluation component of QBI, providing unbiased subject-matter experts to work with 13 other research organizations in evaluating the R\u0026amp;D plans of participating quantum computer companies. Through this collaboration, the GTRI team is working with more than 400 other third-party experts on the project.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\/newsroom\/gtri-supports-initiative-assess-quantum-computing-efforts\u0022\u003ERead the complete article on the GTRI news site\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe approaches of over a dozen quantum computing companies are now being evaluated through the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI), a project of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). GTRI researchers are supporting the initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers are supporting a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiative to evaluate different approaches to quantum computing."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2026-04-03 17:29:16","changed_gmt":"2026-04-03 17:35:58","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679845":{"id":"679845","type":"image","title":"Quantum computing could enable revolutionary advances in numerous technology areas","body":"\u003Cp\u003EQuantum computers may one day enable revolutionary advances in fluid dynamics, drug discovery, development of better agricultural fertilizers, improved materials design and other technical areas. (Credit: Tim Hynes)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775236418","gmt_created":"2026-04-03 17:13:38","changed":"1775236825","gmt_changed":"2026-04-03 17:20:25","alt":"Quantum research and potential benefits","file":{"fid":"264053","name":"Quantum_banner_03B_03-web.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/03\/Quantum_banner_03B_03-web.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/03\/Quantum_banner_03B_03-web.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":839777,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/03\/Quantum_banner_03B_03-web.jpg?itok=QRIkBs4z"}}},"media_ids":["679845"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["gtri.media@gtri.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689428":{"#nid":"689428","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Build AI Tutor Grounded in Course Materials","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs students increasingly turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to help with coursework, some worry that their learning could be compromised. Georgia Tech researchers are working to counter this potential decline with an AI tool they hope will promote learning rather than hinder it.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETokenSmith is a citation-supported large language model (LLM) tutor that can be hosted locally on a user\u2019s personal computer. The tutor only provides answers based on course materials, such as the textbook or lecture slides.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~jarulraj\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoy Arulraj\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E began the project with support from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/c21u-announces-inaugural-bill-kent-ai-higher-education-fellows\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBill Kent Family Foundation AI in Higher Education Faculty Fellowship\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E last year. The fellowship, led by Georgia Tech\u2019s Center for 21st Century Universities, supports faculty projects exploring innovative and ethical uses of AI in teaching.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArulraj has enlisted assistant professors \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kexinrong.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKexin Rong\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/steve.mussmann.us\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESteve Mussmann\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E to help build TokenSmith.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMussmann said TokenSmith is a synergistic blend of a database system and a machine learning system. The model stores textbooks, textbook annotations by course staff, common questions and answers, a learning state of the student, and student feedback in a structured database system. However, machine learning plays a key role in the answer generation as well as adapting the system to the student, course staff guidance, and user feedback.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022What excites me most is demonstrating how data-driven ML and principled database systems design can reinforce each other \u2014 one providing adaptability and flexibility, the other providing structure and traceability \u2014 in a way that benefits students,\u0022 Mussmann said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKeeping the model local has been an important focus of the project. The team wanted to create an AI tutor that helps students learn from their class resources rather than just giving answers. With each response, TokenSmith cites the origin of the answer in the provided documents.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne problem with LLMs is that they can hallucinate and provide wrong answers, but in this controlled environment, we can add these guardrails to make sure it\u2019s actually helpful in an educational setting,\u201d Rong said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERong said she feels that students often undervalue textbooks, and she hopes TokenSmith can motivate students to make better use of them.\u202f\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTextbooks can sometimes be daunting, but maybe if we combine them with the model, students might be more willing to read a paragraph or page in the textbook, and that could help clarify something for them,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERunning the model locally is more cost-effective and helps preserve the user\u2019s privacy. But running the new tool locally comes with technical challenges.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne challenge with creating the model is speed. Since it is a locally based model, TokenSmith depends solely on the user\u2019s computer memory. \u0026nbsp;Tests have also shown that the tutor currently struggles to answer more complex questions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are interested in pushing the boundaries of these local models so that they give students good answers and also run fast enough to keep students engaged,\u201d Arulraj said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETokenSmith is a citation-supported large language model (LLM) tutor that can be hosted locally on a user\u2019s personal computer. The tutor only provides answers based on course materials, such as the textbook or lecture slides.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~jarulraj\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoy Arulraj\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E began the project with support from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/c21u-announces-inaugural-bill-kent-ai-higher-education-fellows\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBill Kent Family Foundation AI in Higher Education Faculty Fellowship\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E last year. The fellowship, led by Georgia Tech\u2019s Center for 21st Century Universities, supports faculty projects exploring innovative and ethical uses of AI in teaching.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"TokenSmith is a citation-supported large language model (LLM) tutor that can be hosted locally on a user\u2019s personal computer. The tutor only provides answers based on course materials, such as the textbook or lecture slides.  "}],"uid":"36532","created_gmt":"2026-04-02 20:25:02","changed_gmt":"2026-04-02 20:30:36","author":"Morgan Usry","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679842":{"id":"679842","type":"image","title":"AI-Tutor-Image.jpg.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1775161510","gmt_created":"2026-04-02 20:25:10","changed":"1775161510","gmt_changed":"2026-04-02 20:25:10","alt":"Graphic showing the researchers in front of a computer screen","file":{"fid":"264048","name":"AI-Tutor-Image.jpg.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/AI-Tutor-Image.jpg.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/AI-Tutor-Image.jpg.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":321180,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/02\/AI-Tutor-Image.jpg.jpeg?itok=yDJdQ838"}}},"media_ids":["679842"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50875","name":"School of Computer Science"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193860","name":"Artifical Intelligence"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"194394","name":"AI in Education"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMorgan Usry, Communications Officer\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["morgan.usry@cc.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689424":{"#nid":"689424","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech-led Research Team to Develop SHIELD Against Deadly Biological Threats","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe United States continues to face deadly infectious disease outbreaks, from emerging viruses to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, underscoring the nation\u2019s need for rapid, effective response systems. These threats extend beyond public health, disrupting daily life, straining health care systems, and impacting military readiness.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/singh\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnkur Singh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the Carl Ring Family Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and professor in\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ethe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and Emory\u0026nbsp;University, has been awarded up to $6 million from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) against deadly biological threats that endanger public health, national security, and warfighters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDTRA\u2019s mission is to provide solutions that enable the Department of Defense, the U.S. government, and international partners to deter strategic threats. A key priority is advancing new or improved MCMs that can be deployed before or after exposure to biological or chemical agents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh\u2019s multi-year project, Systematic Human Immune Engineering for Lethal Disease (SHIELD) Countermeasures, aims to create a threat-agnostic platform that transforms how respiratory pathogens and toxins are studied. The platform is designed to speed up the discovery, development, and production of immune-based countermeasures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh leads a collaborative team that includes Cornell University\u2019s Matthew DeLisa and Stanford University\u2019s Michael Jewett. Together, they will integrate immune-engineering technologies with advanced cell-free protein synthesis platforms to discover and manufacture protein-based MCMs. Cell-free protein synthesis is a laboratory technique that efficiently produces proteins without relying on living cells, which can be unpredictable and technically demanding when it comes to expressing complex or toxic proteins and scaling production quickly. The team expects the SHIELD Countermeasures platform to reduce the time and cost of MCM development by more than tenfold.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe foundational science and cutting-edge tools we develop will ignite future discoveries, ensuring a robust pipeline of advanced protein-based MCMs for chemical and biological defense,\u201d said Singh, who also directs the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/immunoengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for Immunoengineering at Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThis will significantly enhance national security and equip our warfighters with next-generation biodefense capabilities.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETraditional animal models often fail to accurately replicate human immune responses, and standard tissue cultures lack the complexity required to study how immune cells interact with pathogens. In contrast, human immune organoids and immune-competent devices \u2014 built from human cells \u2014 are emerging as groundbreaking research tools. These systems recreate key immune features, such as lymph nodes and mucosal environments, within three-dimensional or microengineered platforms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMany organoid and engineering devices, often called organ-on-chip platforms, lack immune integration,\u201d Singh said. \u201cBecause immunity sits at the center of human health, these limitations have broad consequences. Immune-competent organ-on-chip platforms extend this concept by combining human cells with microfluidic engineering that simulates blood flow, tissue barriers, and chemical gradients.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh has previously published studies on a synthetic \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41563-024-02037-1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ehuman immune chip\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41551-025-01491-9\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eimmunocompetent lung on a chip\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and has also teamed up with DeLisa previously to use synthetic immune organoids for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acscentsci.2c01473\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eimmuno-profiling antibacterial MCMs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s about being able to test far larger numbers of candidate protein-based MCMs in a single experiment\u2014and to do it much faster,\u201d DeLisa said. \u201cCell-free systems allow us to produce MCMs at unprecedented speed and scale, but traditional evaluation methods can\u2019t keep up with those numbers. By combining cell-free MCM production with immune organoid technology, we can assess the potency of dozens or even hundreds of candidates at a time and characterize the resulting immune responses within just a few days.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy integrating immune cells with tissues such as lung, gut, skin, or vascular systems, these devices allow scientists to observe immune responses in real time, including cell migration, inflammation, and interactions with pathogens or therapeutics. As biological threats evolve, the development and deployment of immune-competent platforms will be critical for rapid, effective countermeasures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDTRA\u2019s investment in Singh\u2019s work highlights the urgent national priority of strengthening U.S. biodefense capabilities. The SHIELD Countermeasures platform and its cutting-edge technologies promise to transform the nation\u2019s response to biological threats and help safeguard communities from biological and chemical attacks.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003ELed by Ankur Singh, the multi-institutional SHIELD (Systematic Human Immune Engineering for Lethal Disease) project aims to transform how scientists study and respond to dangerous respiratory pathogens and toxins. The effort brings together researchers from Georgia Tech, Cornell, and Stanford to enable faster and more cost-effective development of protein-based medical countermeasures. The team expects the platform to reduce the time and cost of developing these defenses by more than tenfold, strengthening the nation\u2019s preparedness against biological threats.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech-led research team has received up to $6 million to develop SHIELD, a new platform designed to rapidly create immune-based countermeasures against a wide range of deadly biological threats."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-02 19:06:48","changed_gmt":"2026-04-02 19:17:40","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679841":{"id":"679841","type":"image","title":"DTRA-2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775156814","gmt_created":"2026-04-02 19:06:54","changed":"1775156814","gmt_changed":"2026-04-02 19:06:54","alt":"Ankur Singh, a man in a gray suit jacket with a dark pink button-up shirt stands in front of a work bench in a lab.","file":{"fid":"264047","name":"DTRA-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/DTRA-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/DTRA-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1541575,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/02\/DTRA-2.jpg?itok=UsJZzTJB"}}},"media_ids":["679841"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"190256","name":"G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETracie Troha | Communications Officer, Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689408":{"#nid":"689408","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Singh Family Gift Funds High-Risk Research at Center for Immunoengineering","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA philanthropic gift from the family of J.P. Singh is helping researchers at Georgia Tech push the boundaries of biomedical innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Singh Family Research Awards were established as part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/immunoengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECenter for Immunoengineering\u003C\/a\u003E, creating a seed funding program supporting both faculty and students that is designed to accelerate early-stage ideas with the potential to transform medicine. The awards support interdisciplinary projects pursuing high-risk, high-reward research that could lead to new therapies for cancer, infectious diseases, and chronic illnesses.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe gift honors the legacy of J.P. Singh and reflects his family\u2019s commitment to advancing research that could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe gift is giving scientists the freedom to pursue bold ideas that might otherwise be too early or too unconventional for traditional funding,\u201d said Ankur Singh, Director of the Center for Immunoengineering and Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/schools\/biomedical-engineering\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and Emory (BME). \u201cIt allows Georgia Tech scientists to explore new frontiers in immunoengineering, from cancer to autoimmunity, and to build the scientific foundations that could ultimately lead to the next generation of transformative therapies.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe inaugural awards support four innovative projects that span multiple areas of biomedical research, including two Faculty Research Awards and two Student Fellowship Awards.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUsing AI to Guide the Immune System\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne Singh Family Faculty Research Award, given to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/17370\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAndrew McShan\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E, will help develop AI\u2011guided tools to design synthetic immune\u2011like molecules that can detect lipids on cell surfaces. Most current immunotherapies are designed to recognize protein fragments presented on cells, leaving a largely untapped class of disease-associated targets \u2014 lipids \u2014 beyond the reach of modern immune engineering. By enabling programmable molecules that can detect lipids on cell surfaces, the work aims to expand immune targeting beyond traditional protein targets and open new diagnostic and treatment strategies for diseases such as leukemia, tuberculosis, and inflammatory skin disorders.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn AI-guided design framework for lipid-sensing immune receptors would create an entirely new class of programmable immune molecules capable of identifying disease signals that were previously inaccessible. Such tools could enable earlier disease detection, new immune-based therapeutics, and a broader ability to engineer immune systems to recognize complex biological threats, fundamentally expanding the scope of targets addressable by modern immunotherapy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDeveloping the Next Generation of Cancer Treatments\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second faculty award project, led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3702\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJohn Blazeck\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, focuses on engineering next-generation cancer immunotherapies using CAR-T cells, which are a patient\u2019s own immune cells that have been re\u2011engineered to recognize and attack specific cancer cells. The team is developing new receptors for CAR-T cells designed to improve safety while enabling immune cells to recognize multiple tumor targets simultaneously.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis approach addresses two major barriers that have limited the success of CAR-T therapies in solid tumors: the risk of attacking healthy tissues and the ability of tumors to evade treatment by changing or losing a single target antigen. If successful, the work could significantly expand the reach of CAR-T cell therapy, which has already transformed the treatment of certain blood cancers but has struggled to treat solid tumors such as breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy enabling immune cells to distinguish tumors more precisely and attack cancers that display multiple markers, the new receptor designs could make CAR-T therapies both safer and more effective. The technology could represent a major step toward translating cellular immunotherapies to the far larger population of patients with solid tumors, potentially opening the door to powerful new treatments for some of the most resistant cancers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImaging Heart Risk Early with Ultrasound\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe gift also established two Singh Family Fellow Awards, supporting graduate students pursuing innovative research in immunoengineering.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne fellowship was awarded to Yann Ferry, a graduate student advised by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/arvanitis\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECostas Arvanitis\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ME) and BME. Ferry\u2019s project aims to advance ultrasound imaging technologies designed to visualize immune activity inside Atherosclerosis plaques, the fatty deposits that accumulate in arteries and can trigger heart attacks or strokes when they rupture.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy tracking immune cells that drive plaque inflammation and instability (called macrophages), the team aims to develop a noninvasive imaging approach that can measure the immune state of plaques in real time. If successful, the technology could transform how cardiovascular disease is diagnosed and monitored.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, physicians can detect plaque buildup but cannot easily determine whether a plaque is actively inflamed and likely to rupture. Imaging immune activity could allow doctors to identify high-risk plaques earlier, monitor how patients respond to therapy, and intervene before a heart attack or stroke occurs. Given that cardiovascular disease remains the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/fastats\/leading-causes-of-death.htm\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eleading cause of death\u003C\/a\u003E in the United States, such a tool could significantly improve prevention and treatment strategies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWorking Toward a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second fellowship supports Alexander Kedzierski, a Ph.D. student in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3691\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAndr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s\u0026nbsp; lab within ME. Kedzierski\u2019s research focuses on improving stem-cell-based treatments for Type 1 Diabetes. The project aims to design degradable biomaterials that present that help control the immune response, protecting transplanted insulin\u2011producing cells from being attacked by the body.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrent experimental therapies using insulin-producing cells that are derived from stem cells have shown promise but are limited by the need for lifelong medications that suppress the immune system to prevent rejection. By engineering biomaterials that locally regulate immune responses around transplanted cells, the researchers hope to enable long-term graft survival without suppressing the entire immune system.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf successful, the approach could bring regenerative therapies for Type 1 diabetes closer to a practical cure, allowing patients to restore natural insulin production while avoiding the risks associated with chronic immunosuppressive treatment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELooking Ahead\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, the projects illustrate the core mission of the Center for Immunoengineering and the Singh Family gift. By investing in bold, interdisciplinary research, the Singh family\u2019s gift is helping the Center for Immunoengineering accelerate innovations at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the years ahead, the program is expected to expand a pipeline of high-impact research, from next-generation immunotherapies to immune-guided diagnostics and regenerative medicine. For the scientists involved, the goal is not only to advance discovery but to translate new insights about the immune system into real-world solutions for patients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThe Center for Immunoengineering at Georgia Tech has named the inaugural recipients of the Singh Family Research Awards, recognizing four interdisciplinary projects led by Andrew McShan, John Blazeck, Yann Ferry, and Alexander Kedzierski. Together, the awardees exemplify high\u2011risk, high\u2011reward research aimed at translating fundamental immune engineering advances into safer, more effective treatments for patients.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Center for Immunoengineering at Georgia Tech has awarded the inaugural Singh Family Research Awards to two faculty members and two students advancing innovative immunoengineering projects."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-02 18:09:35","changed_gmt":"2026-04-02 19:16:10","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679836":{"id":"679836","type":"image","title":"Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775153384","gmt_created":"2026-04-02 18:09:44","changed":"1775153384","gmt_changed":"2026-04-02 18:09:44","alt":"Four headshots of Singh Family Award winners: Andrew McShan, John Blazeck, Yann Ferry, and Alexander Kedzierski","file":{"fid":"264042","name":"Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":160700,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/02\/Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg?itok=6yTaA74y"}}},"media_ids":["679836"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"101691","name":"College of Engineering; School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineerin"},{"id":"166928","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"94321","name":"College of Engineering; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering"},{"id":"569","name":"bioengineering"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by: Ankur Singh, Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEdited by: Ashlie Bowman, Communications Manager, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689051":{"#nid":"689051","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Smarter, Faster, and More Human: A Leap Toward General-Purpose Robots","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERobots are increasingly learning new skills by watching people. From folding laundry to handling food, many real-world, humanlike tasks are too nuanced to be efficiently programmed step by step.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith imitation learning, humans demonstrate a task and robots learn to copy what they see through cameras and sensors. While at the leading edge of robotics research, this approach is limited by a major constraint: Robots can only work as fast as the people who taught them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, Georgia Tech researchers have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2506.11948\u0022\u003Ecreated a tool\u003C\/a\u003E that smashes that speed barrier. The system allows robots to execute complex tasks significantly faster than human demonstrations while maintaining precision, control, and safety.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team addresses a central challenge in modern robotics: how to combine the flexibility of learning from humans with the speed and reliability required for real-world deployment. The technology could lead to wider adoption of imitation learning in industrial and household applications and even enable robots to execute humanlike tasks better than ever before.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe thing we\u2019re trying to create \u2014 and I would argue industry is also trying to create \u2014 is a general-purpose robot that can do any task that human hands can do,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/18047\u0022\u003EShreyas Kousik\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and a co-lead author on the study. \u201cTo make that work outside the lab, speed really matters.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new tool, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nadunranawaka1.github.io\/sail-policy\/\u0022\u003ESAIL\u003C\/a\u003E (Speed Adaptation for Imitation Learning), was born out of a cross-campus, interdisciplinary collaboration that brought together expertise in mechanical engineering, robotics systems, and machine learning. The research team includes Kousik; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/benjamin-joffe\u0022\u003EBenjamin Joffe\u003C\/a\u003E, senior research scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute; and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/17511\u0022\u003EDanfei Xu\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Interactive Computing, along with graduate students and researchers from multiple labs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpeed Without Sacrifice\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeaching robots to work faster than the speed of human demonstrations is challenging. Robots can behave differently at higher speeds, and small changes in the environment can cause errors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe challenge is that a robot is limited to the data it was trained on, and any changes in the environment can cause it to fail,\u201d Kousik said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESAIL addresses this challenge through a modular approach, with separate components working together to accelerate beyond the training data. The system keeps motions smooth at high speed, tracks movements accurately, adjusts speed dynamically based on task complexity, and schedules actions to account for hardware delays. This combination allows robots to move quickly while staying stable, coordinated, and precise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne of the gaps we saw was that our academic robotics systems could do impressive things, but they weren\u2019t fast or robust enough for practical use,\u201d Joffe said. \u201cWe wanted to study that gap carefully and design a system that addressed it end to end.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe added, \u201cThe goal is not just to make robots faster, but to make them smart enough to know when speed helps and when it could cause mistakes.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team evaluated SAIL\u2019s performance across 12 tasks, both in simulation and on two physical robot platforms. Tasks included stacking cups, folding cloth, plating fruit, packing food items, and wiping a whiteboard. In most cases, SAIL-enabled robots completed tasks three to four times faster than standard imitation-learning systems without losing accuracy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne exception was the whiteboard-wiping task, where maintaining contact made high-speed execution difficult.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cUnderstanding where speed helps and where it hurts is critical,\u201d Kousik said. \u201cSometimes slowing down is the right decision.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile SAIL does not make robots universally adaptable on its own, it represents an important step toward robotic systems that can learn from humans without being constrained by human pace.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy showing how learned robotic behaviors can be accelerated safely and systematically, SAIL brings imitation learning closer to real-world use \u2014 where speed, precision, and reliability all matter.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECitation: Ranawaka Arachchige, et. al. \u201cSAIL: Faster-than-Demonstration Execution of Imitation Learning Policies,\u201d Conference on Robot Learning (CoRL), 2025.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDOI: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.48550\/arXiv.2506.11948\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.48550\/arXiv.2506.11948\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFunding: The authors would like to acknowledge the State of Georgia and the Agricultural Technology Research Program at Georgia Tech for supporting the work described in this paper.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew AI system lets robots work faster than their human teachers without sacrificing accuracy.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New AI system lets robots work faster than their human teachers without sacrificing accuracy."}],"uid":"36123","created_gmt":"2026-03-19 15:38:45","changed_gmt":"2026-04-02 17:45:33","author":"Catherine Barzler","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679690":{"id":"679690","type":"image","title":"robot-med.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPancake-flipping robots could be just around the corner thanks to a new robot learning system from Georgia Tech. (Credit: Adobe Stock)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773934781","gmt_created":"2026-03-19 15:39:41","changed":"1773937931","gmt_changed":"2026-03-19 16:32:11","alt":"A white humanoid robot holds a blue pan while standing in a kitchen with a green backsplash","file":{"fid":"263881","name":"robot-med.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/robot-med.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/robot-med.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2989840,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/19\/robot-med.png?itok=2EUbFZa1"}},"679687":{"id":"679687","type":"video","title":" SAIL System Brings Us Closer to General-Purpose Robots","body":null,"created":"1773933476","gmt_created":"2026-03-19 15:17:56","changed":"1773933476","gmt_changed":"2026-03-19 15:17:56","video":{"youtube_id":"c1MbisHP75w","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/c1MbisHP75w"}}},"media_ids":["679690","679687"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECatherine Barzler, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:catherine.barzler@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ecatherine.barzler@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["catherine.barzler@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689354":{"#nid":"689354","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Celebrating Earth Month at Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApril is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/earth-month\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEarth Month\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech. Coordinated by the Office of Sustainability and organized by partners across campus, Earth Month extends the Institute\u2019s observance of Earth Day on April 22 by showcasing campus sustainability efforts and providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn and engage throughout the month. Campus organizations are encouraged to share and promote their sustainability-focused events via the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/forms.office.com\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=u5ghSHuuJUuLem1_Mvqgg1-8h4dqb2ZDjWEaN24qscpUNTNSTFNZSVI2RkI1QTBVTEZYUlRDRU85VCQlQCN0PWcu\u0026amp;route=shorturl\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEarth Month event form\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFeatured Event: Earth Day Sustainable Org Fair and Celebration\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWednesday, April 22, 11 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EThe Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Kendeda Building\u2019s patio and atrium on \u003Cstrong\u003EWednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.\u003C\/strong\u003E will feature and celebrate sustainability efforts across the Georgia Tech community. From student organizations to campus operations departments like Environmental Health \u0026amp; Safety, Custodial green cleaning, and Landscape Services earth-friendly practices, community efforts are shared and supported.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESign up \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.signupgenius.com\/go\/10C0E4CAEAD29A0FFC70-62178378-2026#\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ehere\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003C\/a\u003Eto table.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEarth Month Events\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESTEM Activity Kit Assembly\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EThursday, April 2, 7 \u2013 8 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ERoom 154, Skiles Building\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin the Little Einsteins Organization in assembling STEM activity kits to share with students at the Fulton County Libraries.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/event\/12264750\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegister here.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommunity Garden Workday\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EFriday, April 3, 9 \u2013 11 a.m. \u003Cstrong\u003E(Repeats every Friday)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECommunity Garden, Instructional Center Lawn\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin the Students Organizing for Sustainability as they harvest, plant, and maintain plots in the garden. Workdays run every week, and everyone is welcome \u2014 no experience needed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/event\/12042447\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESign up to help out.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFossil Fridays\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EFriday, April 3, 3 \u2013 5 p.m. \u003Cstrong\u003E(Repeats every Friday)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ERoom L1125, Ford ES\u0026amp;T Building\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecome a fossil hunter and help discover how vertebrate communities have changed over time. Experience firsthand what it is like to be a paleontologist, finding and identifying new specimens.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/calendar.gatech.edu\/event\/2026\/04\/03\/fossil-friday\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn more.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPlant Library\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EFriday, April 3, 3:30 \u2013 4:30 p.m. \u003Cstrong\u003E(Repeats every Friday)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ERoom 357, Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Plant Library is an opportunity for the Georgia Tech community to take a break and soak up some green vibes. Bring plants and cuttings, pick up a plant to take home, or help maintain the growing plants. Whether or not you want to get your hands dirty, there is something for everyone.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/calendar.gatech.edu\/event\/2026\/04\/03\/plant-library\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn about the library.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShirley Clarke Franklin Park Cleanup\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESaturday, April 4, 1 \u2013 3 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EShirley Clarke Franklin Park, 1660 Johnson Road NW, Atlanta\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin the Center for Student Engagement and Georgia Tech Athletics at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park to help preserve and beautify the landscape.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/event\/12327976\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegister here.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Chat: Southwire\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ETuesday, April 7, 5:30 \u2013 6:30 p.m.\u003Cbr\u003ESuite 440, Southwire Spark\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExperts from Southwire will talk about Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Renewable Energy Integration and provide an overview of BESS fundamentals, key components, and real\u2011world engineering applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/calendar.gatech.edu\/event\/2026\/04\/07\/energy-chat-southwire\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn more.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKendeda Building Tour\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EThursday, April 9, 11 a.m. \u2013 noon\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EThe Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin The Kendeda Building Fellows for an Earth Month tour of The Kendeda Building to learn about Georgia\u0027s first fully certified Living Building.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/forms.office.com\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=u5ghSHuuJUuLem1_Mvqggy-3x2drfZpDtZmrRRQnKiNUOEw2TDk4RzRZME1TTzMwTzNSVzBJNEJOOS4u\u0026amp;route=shorturl\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESign up here.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFieldwork\u00b2: Science Studies on Farms and Gardens\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EFriday, April 10, 8:30 a.m. \u2013 2 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ERoom 7130, Crosland Tower\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParticipate in a free workshop for anyone interested in science studies and related disciplines, featuring three presentations and networking with colleagues from across metro Atlanta institutions. Breakfast and lunch provided.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_8318mGXUEWzZLEy\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn more and register now.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOffice Hours With a Sustainability Alum: Aki Manda\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EFriday, April 10, noon \u2013 1:30 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EOnline\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESign up for a personal chat with affiliated MBA alumnus Akihiro \u201cAki\u201d Manda, venture manager at the Innovation Incubation Office.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/forms.office.com\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=u5ghSHuuJUuLem1_MvqggxkuxK415QNErLniyUx39w5UMlEwUkhYSUFHVlFDMFE2TDZONzQxV0hSSy4u\u0026amp;route=shorturl\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESign up for a 15-minute virtual chat.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETech Beautification Day\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESaturday, April 11, 9 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EKessler Campanile\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin SGA for a bit of spring cleaning on campus and in our local community. Activities range from clearing invasive species to spreading pine straw. Breakfast will be served at the event kickoff.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/event\/12249122\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn more.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpring Perennial Planting\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESaturday, April 11, 10 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m.\u003Cbr\u003EOutside MRDC\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUrban Agriculture and Campus Services will plant perennials and build trellises.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/event\/12128376\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESign up here.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHanging Flower Lamp Workshop\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESaturday, April 11, 5 \u2013 7 p.m. \u003Cstrong\u003E(Repeats every day, April 11 \u2013 April 15)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EMRDC\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELearn how to make your own hanging flower lights in this workshop. Celebrate the spring season with a flower light \u2014 a perfect gift for your family, friends, or yourself. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/event\/12344994\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn more.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Chat With Shell\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ETuesday, April 14, 5:30 \u2013 6:30 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EVan Leer Building\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech Energy Club is hosting a chat with industry professionals from Shell.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/event\/12323839\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegister on Engage.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECoffee and Compost: In-Vessel Composter Tours\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EFriday, April 17, 9 \u2013 11 a.m. (Tours start at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.)\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EIn-Vessel Composter in the Resource Recovery Yard (Across from the rear of the Campus Recreation Center on Tech Parkway)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin the Office of Sustainability and student assistants to learn more about our campus in-vessel composter and innovations in campus waste management. Coffee and pastries will be provided.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/forms.cloud.microsoft\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=u5ghSHuuJUuLem1_Mvqgg1-8h4dqb2ZDjWEaN24qscpUMjBBS1BVQjJSUDlBUUFGUjVQNVdSUUxBTCQlQCN0PWcu\u0026amp;route=shorturl\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegister now.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFashion of the Future\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EFriday, April 17, 5 \u2013 7 p.m. \u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EAtrium, Marcus Nanotechnology Building\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin the Textiles Team for a fashion show showcasing the unique, skilled work of their designers. Fashion of the Future includes predicting future fashion trends, solving modern problems with advanced textile solutions, and integrating complex systems in textiles. Come by for free tote bags, snacks, and a great show.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSceLIorFVJTJQ-yddaVsMDpnG-hxeGDoDJNODkXMn_qCarrlg\/viewform?pli=1\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegister here.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoin MOVE in Conserving the 4-0-Forest\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESaturday, April 18, 8 a.m. \u2013 noon\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECenter for Student Engagement, John Lewis Student Center\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPartner with Trees Atlanta and MOVE to protect and restore the 4-0-Forest. Volunteers will work to remove invasive plant species and help preserve native ecosystems. This event is perfect for anyone interested in environmental stewardship, conservation, or outdoor service.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/event\/12296375\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegister here.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEarth Month provides a multitude of events and activities to learn and engage with sustainability-focused campus initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Earth Month provides a multitude of events and activities to learn and engage with sustainability-focused campus initiatives."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-04-01 18:13:12","changed_gmt":"2026-04-01 20:49:31","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679820":{"id":"679820","type":"image","title":"25-R10410-P56-020.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETabling event at last year\u0027s Earth Month Org Fair.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775067373","gmt_created":"2026-04-01 18:16:13","changed":"1775067902","gmt_changed":"2026-04-01 18:25:02","alt":"Tabling at the 2025 Earth Day Org Fair.","file":{"fid":"264024","name":"25-R10410-P56-020.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/25-R10410-P56-020.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/25-R10410-P56-020.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2448748,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/01\/25-R10410-P56-020.jpg?itok=Lcn851fn"}}},"media_ids":["679820"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192134","name":"earth month"},{"id":"194976","name":"Earth Month 2026"},{"id":"168693","name":"campus sustainability"},{"id":"186602","name":"org fair"},{"id":"194097","name":"IS News"},{"id":"192081","name":"office of sustainability"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003EElena Domenech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Student Assistant\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInfrastructure and Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Edomenech6@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689025":{"#nid":"689025","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Why Mosquitoes Swarm Your Head: They\u2019re Following Signals, Not Each Other","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAfter watching hundreds of mosquitoes buzzing around one of their colleagues and collecting 20 million data points, Georgia Tech and Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have created a mathematical model that predicts how and where female mosquitoes will fly to feast on humans.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new study is the first to visualize mosquito flight patterns and provides hard data for improving capture and control strategies. In addition to being a nuisance, mosquitoes transmit diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and Zika, which cause more than 700,000 deaths every year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s like a crowded bar,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/hu\u0022\u003EDavid Hu\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, with an adjunct appointment in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cCustomers aren\u2019t there because they followed each other into the bar. They\u2019re attracted by the same cues: drinks, music, and the atmosphere. The same is true of mosquitoes. Rather than following the leader, the insect follows the signals and happens to arrive at the same spot as the others. They\u2019re good copies of each other.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more and watch:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/why-mosquitoes-swarm-your-head-theyre-following-signals-not-each-other\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Engineering newsroom\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E and \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hundreds-of-hungry-mosquitoes-a-student-volunteer-and-a-mesh-suit-helped-us-figure-out-how-these-deadly-insects-reach-their-targets-278486\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Researchers have visualized mosquito flight behavior for the first time \u2014\u00a0which could improve mosquito-control strategies. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers have visualized mosquito flight behavior for the first time \u2014\u0026nbsp;which could improve mosquito-control strategies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have visualized mosquito flight behavior for the first time \u2014\u00a0which could improve mosquito-control strategies. "}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 20:43:56","changed_gmt":"2026-04-01 19:58:53","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679682":{"id":"679682","type":"image","title":"A female mosquito lands on a human.","body":null,"created":"1773866953","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 20:49:13","changed":"1773866953","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 20:49:13","alt":"A female mosquito lands on a human.","file":{"fid":"263872","name":"mosquito2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/mosquito2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/mosquito2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1110207,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/mosquito2.jpg?itok=hj3xhNm7"}}},"media_ids":["679682"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJason Maderer (maderer@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["maderer@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688490":{"#nid":"688490","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Campus Construction Projects Driving Georgia Tech\u2019s Future","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech continually works to transform its physical campus in support of a more innovative, sustainable, and accessible learning environment. This update highlights the latest milestones, upcoming timelines, and how current work across campus contributes to Tech\u2019s long\u2011term vision for growth and excellence.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERecently Completed\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ED.M. Smith Building Renewal\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ERenovations are complete, with transformative upgrades to the 100-year-old building that enhance accessibility, increase functionality, and support campus sustainability initiatives. They include the addition of wheelchair access, a new elevator, and updated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The building is fully electric and no longer relies on steam from the central plant for daily operations.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/01\/newly-rejuvenated-smith-building-ready\u0022\u003ERead more about the D.M. Smith Building renewal.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge Tower | Scheller Tower (formerly Tech Square 3)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOfficially opened on Jan. 12, the first three floors of the building feature classrooms, huddle and conference rooms, and both indoor and outdoor collaboration space. Kaldi\u2019s Coffee is located on the lobby level.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 14-story Scheller Tower will serve as the new home for the MBA and Executive Education programs of the Scheller College of Business. The 18-story George Tower, will house the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Both towers are on schedule to open in Fall 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/07\/tech-square-3-reaches-major-milestone\u0022\u003ERead more about George Tower | Scheller Tower.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStamps Field Turf\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Stamps Field turf replacement project incorporated new padding and a multi\u2011layer synthetic surface offering better shock absorption and expanded playability. Updated striping allows for a wider range of recreational and competitive activities. Work also included adding new wind screens, improving access control and gate configurations, installing hydration stations, and cleaning the stormwater detention systems beneath the field. The new layout supports multiple sports, including soccer, lacrosse, flag football, rugby, and softball.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESoon to Wrap Up\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECampus Recreation Center (CRC) Athletic Therapy Center and Esports Arena\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe renovation on Level 2 of the CRC will transform an existing conference room and retail dining area into a dedicated physical therapy space. Adjacent to this, a new esports suite will support competitive gaming for student clubs and casual play for the campus community, and host special events. The project is slated for completion in May.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELi Labs \u2013 Paper Tricentennial Building\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ERenovation of eight labs on the first and fifth floors will prepare for a high-end microscope that uses open-beam lasers for illumination on a vibration-isolation table, accommodating both students and researchers in the School of Materials Science and Engineering. The renovation is scheduled for completion in March.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn Progress\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E10th Street Power Plant Chiller Replacement\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe project includes replacing chillers and associated components to optimize overall system performance. Two replacement chillers and cooling towers have been installed, and piping work is ongoing. Completion is scheduled for May.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBaptist Collegiate Ministry Building\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile not a Georgia Tech-owned project, this new five-story, mixed-use building is set to rise in the footprint of the original building on the west side of Techwood Drive near Fourth Street. The development will provide upgraded ministry facilities along with 55 one- and two bedroom residences \u0026nbsp;intended for student occupancy, along with gathering spaces. The targeted completion date is Fall 2027.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECreative Quarter\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Creative Quarter, currently anchored at the former Randall Brothers site located along Marietta Street, will debut in May with a temporary cultural initiative called LOOP, powered by Goat Farm. The project will feature a performance venue and artist studios, along with flexible interior spaces designed for multidisciplinary experimentation, connecting innovators, artists, students, and visitors.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arts.gatech.edu\/loop\u0022\u003ERead more about the Creative Quarter.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBud and Val Peterson Residence Hall\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe first new residence hall on campus since 2005 is designed specifically for first-year students. Located on the west side of campus along Northside Drive between Eighth and Ninth streets, this state-of-the-art facility will span 191,000 square feet and offer 862 beds in double-occupancy rooms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe building will include collaborative learning areas, community lounges, and a shared kitchen. Both tower structures and site utilities are complete; interior finishes are underway, and site hardscape and landscape will begin in the spring. It is scheduled to open in Fall 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/09\/22\/new-residence-hall-be-named-former-president-first-lady\u0022\u003ERead more about the Bud and Val Peterson Residence Hall.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEast Campus Streetscapes\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EAlong Techwood Drive and the east side of campus, the renovation of sidewalks and roadways has improved campus connectivity and the safety of pedestrian and micromobility users. The project is still active, as the remaining elements along Techwood Drive are contingent upon the completion of the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWork continues on the 100,000-square-foot facility, which will house strength and conditioning areas, nutrition stations, sports medicine offices, ticketing services, dining options, and academic support spaces. The building will also feature cutting-edge sports science and analytics labs designed to enhance performance and research capabilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInterior progress includes painting, flooring, and equipment installation. Exterior site work is ongoing, and spring completion is expected. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ramblinwreck.com\/georgia-tech-breaks-ground-on-fanning-center\/\u0022\u003ERead more about the Student-Athlete Performance Center\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOn the Horizon\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBobby Dodd Fan Experience Renovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECurrently in the design phase, this renovation project will significantly enhance the premium seating areas on the west sideline, diversify premium seating to enable tiered experiences, and add chairback seating to the entire east and west sidelines to elevate the gameday experience for all Georgia Tech fans, alumni, and students.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe west sideline renovations will feature a premium level with a 100+ seat Founder\u2019s Club overlooking midfield, numerous renovated suites, and upgraded press operations and food service areas. The east sideline will feature an updated Field Club lounge, a new VIP suite, and additional updated suites. Currently in the design phase, project completion is expected for the 2027 football season. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atfund.org\/bobby-dodd-stadium\u0022\u003ERead more about the Bobby Dodd Fan Experience Renovation.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECurrently in project development, a new 200,000-square-foot building for the Guggenheim School will provide advanced instructional space, new research capabilities, and an improved student experience, potentially including new wind tunnels, flight simulators, and advanced fabrication and assembly areas. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/building-future-aerospace-engineering\u0022\u003ERead more about the Aerospace Engineering building\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHowey Physics Restroom Renovations\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe renovation will evaluate the building\u2019s existing plumbing capacity; determine where new single-use restrooms and additional fixtures should be added; and renovate finishes, ceilings, and lighting throughout the basement and first five floors. Renovations are expected to start in the spring and take approximately four months to complete.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESmith and Howell Residence Halls\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ETo preserve their historic character and meet projected housing needs, both residence halls will be renovated. This includes updating building systems and interior spaces. A new connecting structure will join the two buildings, creating a central entry point. Also planned are ADA accessibility improvements to all floors and enhanced lighting and amenities. This project is currently in the final design phase, with construction expected to start mid-year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESkiles Infrastructure Renovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECurrently in the design phase, the renovation will focus on the most pressing need by improving indoor air quality by replacing and upgrading the building\u2019s mechanical systems in specific areas. The project marks the beginning of a broader, multiphase effort to modernize and revitalize the Skiles Building, constructed in 1959.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo stay up to date on campus construction projects, use the I\u0026amp;S\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/facilities.gatech.edu\/construction-updates\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Construction Project Viewer.\u003C\/a\u003E This dynamic tool meshes a map and calendar interface, allowing users to easily track project start and end dates. ADA-accessible routes can also be located by zooming in on individual projects.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor behind-the-scenes updates, follow Infrastructure and Sustainability on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/105498147\/admin\/page-posts\/published\/\u0022\u003ELinkedIn\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 where you\u2019ll find exclusive sneak peeks, progress photos, and insights into the ongoing construction efforts that are shaping the future of Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is advancing an ambitious slate of campus construction projects designed to support its long\u2011term growth and future innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is advancing an ambitious slate of campus construction projects designed to support its long-term growth and future innovation."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-02-24 15:28:40","changed_gmt":"2026-04-01 19:54:59","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679407":{"id":"679407","type":"image","title":"CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno1.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERendering of the planned connector entrance to Smith and Howell residence halls. (Subject to change.)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771952324","gmt_created":"2026-02-24 16:58:44","changed":"1771952324","gmt_changed":"2026-02-24 16:58:44","alt":"Rendering of the planned connector entrance to Smith and Howell residence halls.","file":{"fid":"263568","name":"CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno1.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno1.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno1.png","mime":"image\/png","size":631076,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/24\/CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno1.png?itok=wyWW_0To"}},"679408":{"id":"679408","type":"image","title":"CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno2.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERendering of the interior of the planned connector building for the Smith and Howell Residence Halls.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771952562","gmt_created":"2026-02-24 17:02:42","changed":"1771952562","gmt_changed":"2026-02-24 17:02:42","alt":"Rendering of the interior of the planned connector building for the Smith and Howell Residence Halls.","file":{"fid":"263569","name":"CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno2.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno2.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno2.png","mime":"image\/png","size":505325,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/24\/CCU_Feb2026_smithhowellreno2.png?itok=bZzG92b6"}}},"media_ids":["679407","679408"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"61411","name":"Campus Construction"},{"id":"192186","name":"Student Athlete Performance Center"},{"id":"194888","name":"George Tower | Scheller Tower"},{"id":"194943","name":"Bud and Vale Peterson Residence Hall"},{"id":"194376","name":"Curran Street Residence Hall"},{"id":"13680","name":"Bobby Dodd Stadium"},{"id":"194735","name":"Smith and Howell Residence Halls"},{"id":"174985","name":"Skiles Classroom Building"},{"id":"719","name":"CRC"},{"id":"192183","name":"D.M. Smith Building Renewal"},{"id":"13327","name":"Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"193728","name":"I\u0026S News"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003ECathy Brim\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInfrastructure and Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Cathy.brim@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689321":{"#nid":"689321","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Future of AI\u2011Powered Manufacturing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EManufacturing is undergoing a significant transformation as artificial intelligence reshapes how industrial systems operate, adapt, and scale. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) has launched its \u003Cstrong\u003EManufacturing and AI Initiative\u003C\/strong\u003E, which brings together faculty expertise in statistics, optimization, data science, and systems engineering to address emerging challenges and opportunities in modern manufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EISyE researchers are applying AI to complex manufacturing environments, including multistage production systems, asset management, quality improvement, and human\u2011centered manufacturing. Faculty leaders emphasize the importance of contextualizing large volumes of manufacturing data so AI can support reliable decision\u2011making, efficient operations, and sustainable outcomes. At the same time, the initiative acknowledges challenges such as data integration, system complexity, and the need to balance automation with human involvement. Together, these efforts position ISyE at the forefront of shaping AI\u2011powered manufacturing systems that are innovative, resilient, and socially responsible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead the full article in \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/magazine\/2026\/spring\/future-ai-powered-manufacturing\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EISyE Magazine\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EISyE is launching its Manufacturing and AI Initiative to unite pioneering researchers with interdisciplinary partners in the development of research and education programs that address issues of industrial, societal, and global concern.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"ISyE is advancing the next generation of manufacturing through AI\u2011driven research that integrates data analytics, optimization, and human\u2011centered systems to create smarter, more resilient industrial ecosystems. "}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-04-01 14:59:16","changed_gmt":"2026-04-01 15:10:11","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679812":{"id":"679812","type":"image","title":"The Future of AI-Powered Manufacturing.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775055564","gmt_created":"2026-04-01 14:59:24","changed":"1775055564","gmt_changed":"2026-04-01 14:59:24","alt":"The Future of AI-Powered Manufacturing","file":{"fid":"264016","name":"IMG_0592.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/IMG_0592.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/IMG_0592.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2937547,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/01\/IMG_0592.jpg?itok=azK3lZM3"}}},"media_ids":["679812"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAnnette Filliat, ISyE Communications Writer\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687989":{"#nid":"687989","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Is the Whole Universe Just a\u00a0Simulation?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIs the whole universe just a simulation? \u2013 Moumita B., age 13, Dhaka, Bangladesh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow do you know anything is real? Some things you can see directly, like your fingers. Other things, like your chin, you need a mirror or a camera to see. Other things can\u2019t be seen, but you believe in them because a parent or a teacher told you, or you read it in a book.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/user\/d-zeb-rocklin\u0022\u003Ephysicist\u003C\/a\u003E, I use sensitive scientific instruments and complicated math to try to figure out what\u2019s real and what\u2019s not. But none of these sources of information is entirely reliable: Scientific measurements can be wrong, my calculations can have errors, even your eyes can deceive you, like the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2015\/02\/27\/the-dress-that-broke-the-internet.html\u0022\u003Edress that broke the internet\u003C\/a\u003E because nobody could agree on what colors it was.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause every source of information \u2013 even your teachers \u2013 can trick you some of the time, some people have always wondered \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/reasonandmeaning.com\/2022\/01\/23\/do-we-know-anything-for-sure\/\u0022\u003Ewhether we can ever trust any information\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you can\u2019t trust anything, are you sure you\u2019re awake? Thousands of years ago, Chinese philosopher \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/zhuangzi\/\u0022\u003EZhuangzi dreamed he was a butterfly\u003C\/a\u003E and realized that he might actually be a butterfly dreaming he was a human. Plato wondered whether all we see could just be shadows of true objects. Maybe the world we live in our whole lives inside isn\u2019t the real one, maybe it\u2019s more like a big video game, or the movie \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.warnerbros.com\/movies\/matrix\u0022\u003EThe Matrix\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/707999\/original\/file-20251211-56-la328h.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022screenshot of a landscape in a cartoonish video game\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/707999\/original\/file-20251211-56-la328h.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/707999\/original\/file-20251211-56-la328h.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=375\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/707999\/original\/file-20251211-56-la328h.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=375\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/707999\/original\/file-20251211-56-la328h.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=375\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/707999\/original\/file-20251211-56-la328h.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=471\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/707999\/original\/file-20251211-56-la328h.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=471\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/707999\/original\/file-20251211-56-la328h.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=471\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAre we living in a very sophisticated version of Minecraft?\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Un_paysage_de_Minecraft.png\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ETofli IV\/Wikimedia Commons\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003E, \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\u0022license\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ECC BY-SA\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Simulation Hypothesis\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe simulation hypothesis is a modern attempt to use logic and observations about technology to finally answer these questions and prove that we\u2019re probably living in something like a giant video game. Twenty years ago, a philosopher named \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=oQwpz3QAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003ENick Bostrom\u003C\/a\u003E made \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/simulation-argument.com\/simulation.pdf\u0022\u003Esuch an argument\u003C\/a\u003E based on the fact that video games, virtual reality and artificial intelligence were improving rapidly. That trend has continued, so that today people can jump into immersive virtual reality or talk to seemingly conscious artificial beings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBostrom projected these technological trends into the future and imagined a world in which we\u2019d be able to realistically simulate trillions of human beings. He also suggested that if someone could create a simulation of you that seemed just like you from the outside, it would feel just like you inside, with all of your thoughts and feelings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuppose that\u2019s right. Suppose that sometime in, say, the 31st century, humanity will be able to simulate whatever they want. Some of them will probably be fans of the 21st century and will run many different simulations of our world so that they can learn about us, or just be amused.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere\u2019s Bostrom\u2019s shocking logical argument: If the 21st century planet Earth only ever existed one time, but it will eventually get simulated trillions of times, and if the simulations are so good that the people in the simulation feel just like real people, then you\u2019re probably living on one of the trillions of simulations of the Earth, not on the one original Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis argument would be even more convincing if you actually could run powerful simulations today, but as long as you believe that people will run those simulations someday, then you logically should believe that you\u2019re probably living in one today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pmcrG7ZZKUc?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EScientist Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the simulation hypothesis and why he thinks the odds are about 50-50 we\u2019re part of a virtual reality.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESigns We\u2019re Living in a Simulation \u2026Or Not\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf we are living in a simulation, does that explain anything? Maybe the simulation has glitches, and that\u2019s why your phone wasn\u2019t where you were sure you left it, or how you knew something was going to happen before it did, or why that dress on the internet looked so weird.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are more fundamental ways in which our world resembles a simulation. There is a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kids.kiddle.co\/Planck_length\u0022\u003Eparticular length\u003C\/a\u003E, much smaller than an atom, beyond which physicists\u2019 theories about the universe break down. And we can\u2019t see anything more than about 50 billion light-years away because the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/curious-kids-what-does-the-edge-of-the-universe-look-like-233111\u0022\u003Elight hasn\u2019t had time to reach us\u003C\/a\u003E since the Big Bang. That sounds suspiciously like a computer game where you can\u2019t see anything smaller than a pixel or anything beyond the edge of the screen.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, there are other explanations for all of that stuff. Let\u2019s face it: You might have misremembered where you put your phone. But Bostrom\u2019s argument doesn\u2019t require any scientific proof. It\u2019s logically true as long as you really believe that many powerful simulations will exist in the future. That\u2019s why famous scientists like Neil deGrasse Tyson and tech titans like Elon Musk have been convinced of it, though Tyson now puts the odds at 50-50.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOthers of us are more skeptical. The technology required to run such large and realistic simulations is so powerful that Bostrom describes such simulators as godlike, and he admits that humanity may never get that good at simulations. Even though it is far from being resolved, the simulation hypothesis is an impressive logical and philosophical argument that has challenged our fundamental notions of reality and captured the imaginations of millions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EHello, curious kids! Do you have a question you\u2019d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:curiouskidsus@theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAnd since curiosity has no age limit \u2013 adults, let us know what you\u2019re wondering, too. We won\u2019t be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/268177\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/is-the-whole-universe-just-a-simulation-268177\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHow do you know anything is real? Some things you can see directly, like your fingers. Other things, like your chin, you need a mirror or a camera to see. Other things can\u2019t be seen, but you believe in them because a parent or a teacher told you, or you read it in a book.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"How do you know anything is real? Some things you can see directly, like your fingers. Other things, like your chin, you need a mirror or a camera to see."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-02-03 13:16:36","changed_gmt":"2026-04-01 13:19:50","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679171":{"id":"679171","type":"image","title":"Could the Earth and everything on it \u2013 and even the whole universe \u2013 be a simulation running on a giant computer? OsakaWayne Studios\/Moment via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECould the Earth and everything on it \u2013 and even the whole universe \u2013 be a simulation running on a giant computer? \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/planet-earth-from-space-with-cubical-segments-royalty-free-image\/1344831100\u0022\u003EOsakaWayne Studios\/Moment via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770124682","gmt_created":"2026-02-03 13:18:02","changed":"1770124682","gmt_changed":"2026-02-03 13:18:02","alt":"Could the Earth and everything on it \u2013 and even the whole universe \u2013 be a simulation running on a giant computer? OsakaWayne Studios\/Moment via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"263299","name":"file-20251211-56-lzhkg5.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/03\/file-20251211-56-lzhkg5.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/03\/file-20251211-56-lzhkg5.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":217589,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/03\/file-20251211-56-lzhkg5.jpg?itok=VLC3NXiR"}}},"media_ids":["679171"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/is-the-whole-universe-just-a-simulation-268177","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/zeb-rocklin-2510395\u0022\u003EZeb Rocklin\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Professor of Physics, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689280":{"#nid":"689280","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Potential of Data Center Energy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA recent review by EPIcenter faculty affiliate \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/constance-crozier\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConstance Crozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology) and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/matthew-liska\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMatthew Liska\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology) explores the growing role of data centers in providing flexibility, the ability to shift or reduce electricity use in response to grid conditions, to the electric grid as renewable energy penetration and AI-driven computing demand surge. The authors highlight that data centers, particularly those supporting high-performance computing and AI workloads, are projected to consume nearly 10% of U.S. electricity by the end of the decade, presenting both challenges and opportunities for grid stability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe paper examines various strategies for enhancing the flexibility of data center energy use. One approach is to use backup power systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies, to support the grid during emergencies. Another method involves rerouting computing jobs to different data centers in other locations to balance energy demand. The authors also discuss implementing smart scheduling techniques that shift workloads to off-peak hours, reducing strain on the grid. Additionally, they highlight adjusting processor speeds by lowering CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) clock rates to limit power consumption when needed. Finally, the paper suggests pre-cooling data center equipment to limit the energy required for cooling during peak demand periods. Notably, experimental evidence shows that underclocking GPUs can cut power consumption by 40% with only a 22% performance loss, suggesting technical feasibility for demand-response interventions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite these technical options, the authors find that real-world cost considerations and reliability concerns limit widespread adoption. Data center operators generally do not change their behavior in response to electricity prices, as job revenue far outweighs energy costs under normal conditions. For example, a GPU rented at $2 per hour consumes only $0.04 worth of electricity at average prices, making curtailment unattractive except during extreme price spikes. Surveys indicate that operators are reluctant to compromise reliability or deploy backup systems for ancillary services. Consequently, price-based incentives alone are unlikely to drive meaningful flexibility.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/2026\/03\/24\/the-potential-of-data-center-energy\/\u0022\u003ERead more on the EPIcenter Webpage\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/2026\/03\/24\/the-potential-of-data-center-energy\/\u0022\u003EListen to a podcast on the research here\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA recent review by EPIcenter faculty affiliate \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/constance-crozier\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConstance Crozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology) and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/matthew-liska\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMatthew Liska\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology) explores the growing role of data centers in providing flexibility, the ability to shift or reduce electricity use in response to grid conditions, to the electric grid as renewable energy penetration and AI-driven computing demand surge. The authors highlight that data centers, particularly those supporting high-performance computing and AI workloads, are projected to consume nearly 10% of U.S. electricity by the end of the decade, presenting both challenges and opportunities for grid stability.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A recent review by EPIcenter faculty affiliate highlights that data centers, particularly those supporting high-performance computing and AI workloads, are projected to consume nearly 10% of U.S. electricity by the end of the decade."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-03-31 19:00:21","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 19:08:59","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679804":{"id":"679804","type":"image","title":"PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1774983673","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 19:01:13","changed":"1774983673","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 19:01:13","alt":"Adobe Stock image showing solar panels, wind mills and energy storage units in a desert-like landscape with the sun setting in the background","file":{"fid":"264008","name":"PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1531847,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/PotentialofDatacenterEnergy-AdobeStock_248626760.jpeg?itok=VE5-39Gn"}}},"media_ids":["679804"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/2026\/03\/24\/the-potential-of-data-center-energy\/","title":"Full Story on the EPIcenter Webpage"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ggonzalez68@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGilbert Gonzalez\u003C\/a\u003E, EPIcenter\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689264":{"#nid":"689264","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis Thursday, April 2, the \u003Cstrong\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E is hosting an inspiring look at the future of space exploration and life beyond Earth. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-space\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E will convene leading scientists, engineers, policy experts, and thought leaders from across Georgia Tech and beyond to share research that\u2019s guiding discovery and innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHosted annually by College of Sciences Dean and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair \u003Cstrong\u003ESusan Lozier\u003C\/strong\u003E, Frontiers showcases how collaboration across disciplines \u2014 from science and engineering to public policy and international affairs \u2014 advances strategic research priorities. Recent programs have explored neuroscience and AI, climates in flux \u2014 and, this year, our solar system.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2026 Frontiers will convene more than 25 experts to discuss planetary science, satellites and orbital observation, robotic exploration, public astronomy, and bold visions for human spaceflight. The conference will also highlight the future of space policy, careers and commercialization, space as a laboratory, and will feature an \u201cAstronaut\u2019s Perspective\u201d fireside chat with \u003Cstrong\u003ER. Shane Kimbrough \u003C\/strong\u003E(MS OR \u201998) and \u003Cstrong\u003EJud Ready\u003C\/strong\u003E, who serves as executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s new \u003Cstrong\u003ESpace Research Institute (SRI)\u003C\/strong\u003E and GTRI principal research engineer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWe are at capacity for day passes!\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMembers of the community are welcome to drop by sessions of interest, lunchtime and evening telescope viewings, and our afternoon networking reception without RSVP.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA schedule of events and location info can be found at:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-space\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ehttp:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-space\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u0027s Frontiers in Science conference will offer an inspiring look at the future of space exploration and life beyond Earth \u2014 from satellites and rovers to bold visions for human exploration. Our 2026 speaker schedule includes more than two dozen leading scientists, engineers, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what lies beyond. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"This year\u0027s Frontiers in Science conference will offer an inspiring look at the future of space exploration and life beyond Earth \u2014 from satellites and rovers to bold visions for human exploration."}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2026-03-31 16:54:49","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 17:16:56","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-31T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-31T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679800":{"id":"679800","type":"image","title":"Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration is set for Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Georgia Tech.","body":null,"created":"1774976148","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 16:55:48","changed":"1774976148","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 16:55:48","alt":"A black banner reading \u0022Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration.\u0022 The words are surrounded by dynamic gold sparkles, along with light blue, gold, and white parallelograms.","file":{"fid":"264004","name":"2025-Frontiers-tv-screen.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/2025-Frontiers-tv-screen.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/2025-Frontiers-tv-screen.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":353831,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/2025-Frontiers-tv-screen.jpg?itok=WzD8RaCi"}}},"media_ids":["679800"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194975","name":"go-space"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689256":{"#nid":"689256","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Study Shows Explainability is a Must for Older Adults to Trust AI","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EVoice-activated, conversational artificial intelligence (AI) agents must provide clear explanations for their suggestions, or older adults aren\u2019t likely to trust them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s one of the main findings from a study by AI Caring on what older adults expect from explainable AI (XAI).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ai-caring.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI Caring\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is one of three AI Institutions led by Georgia Tech and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The institution supports AI research that benefits older adults and their caregivers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENiharika Mathur, a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Interactive Computing, was the lead author of a paper based on the study. The paper will be presented in April at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chi2026.acm.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2026 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) in Barcelona\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMathur worked with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/empowerment.emory.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECognitive Empowerment Program at Emory University\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E to interview 23 older adults who live alone and use voice-activated AI assistants like Amazon\u2019s Alexa and Google Home.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of them told her they feel excluded from the design of these products.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe assumption is that all people want interactions the same way and across all kinds of situations, but that isn\u2019t true,\u201d Mathur said. \u201cHow older people use AI and what they want from it are different from what younger people prefer.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne example she gave is that young people tend to be informal when talking with AI. Older people, on the other hand, talk to the agent like they would a person.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf Older adults are talking to their family members about Alexa, they usually refer to Alexa as \u2018she\u2019 instead of \u2018it,\u2019\u201d Mathur said. \u201cThey tend to humanize these systems a lot more than young people.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGood Explanations\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe study evaluated AI explanations that drew information from four sources of data:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUser history (past conversations with the agent)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEnvironmental data (indoor temperature or the weather forecast)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EActivity data (how much time a user spends in different areas of the home)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInternal reasoning (mathematical probabilities and likely outcomes)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMathur said older users trust the agent more when it bases its explanations on data from the first three sources. However, internal reasoning creates skepticism.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInternal reasoning means the AI doesn\u2019t have enough data from the other sources to give an explanation. It provides a percentage to reflect its confidence based on what it knows.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe overwhelming response was negative toward confidence scores,\u201d Mathur said. \u201cIf the AI says it\u2019s 92% confident, older adults want to know what that\u2019s based on.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is another example that Mathur said points to generational preferences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of explainable AI research that shows younger people like to see numbers in explanations, and they also tend to rely too much on explanations that contain numerical confidence. Older adults are the opposite. It makes them trust it less.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKnowing the Context\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMathur said that AI agents interacting with older adults should serve a dual purpose. They should provide users with companionship and support independence while reducing the caretaking burden often placed on family members.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome studies have shown that engineers have tended to favor caretakers in the design of these tools. They prioritize daily tasks and routines, leaving some older adults to feel like they are merely a box to be checked.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe discovered that in urgent situations, older users prefer the AI to be straightforward, while in casual settings, they desire more conversation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHow people interact with technological systems is grounded in what the stakes of the situation are,\u201d she said. \u201cIf it had anything to do with their immediate sense of safety, they did not want conversational elaboration. They want the AI to be very direct and factual.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENot Just Checking Boxes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMathur said AI agents that interact with older adults are ideally constructed with a dual purpose. They should provide companionship and autonomy for the users while alleviating the burden of caretaking that is often placed on their family members.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome studies have shown that engineers have strayed toward favoring caretakers in the design of these tools. They prioritize daily tasks and routines, leaving some older adults to feel like they are a box to be checked.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThey\u2019re not being thought of as consumers,\u201d Mathur said. \u201cA lot of products are being made for them but not with them.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe also said psychological well-being is one of the most important outcomes these tools should produce.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShowing older adults that they are listened to can significantly help in gaining their trust. Some interviewees told Mathur they want agents who are deliberate about understanding their preferences and don\u2019t dismiss their questions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeeting these needs reduces the likelihood of protesting and creating conflict with family members.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt highlights just how important well-designed explanations are,\u201d she said. \u201cWe must go beyond a transparency checklist.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn AI Caring study led by Georgia Tech researchers shows that older adults are more likely to trust conversational AI systems that provide them with clear explanations for their decision-making. The study also shows that including older adults more in the design process benefits their well-being and reduces the caretaking burden of family members\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech study finds older adults are more likely to trust voice-activated AI systems when those systems clearly explain how and why they make decisions."}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-03-31 14:01:07","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 14:04:59","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-31T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-31T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679796":{"id":"679796","type":"image","title":"0A6A0355.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774965687","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 14:01:27","changed":"1774965687","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 14:01:27","alt":"An older couple sitting on a couch as a man helps them use Amazon\u0027s Alexa","file":{"fid":"263999","name":"0A6A0355.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/0A6A0355.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/0A6A0355.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":171883,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/0A6A0355.jpg?itok=t62aVqXD"}}},"media_ids":["679796"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"193860","name":"Artifical Intelligence"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"14342","name":"older adults"},{"id":"148721","name":"Amazon Alexa"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"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":""}},"689249":{"#nid":"689249","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EPIcenter Launches Georgia Data Center Ordinance Hub ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Policy and Innovation Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E) at Georgia Tech has launched an interactive tool to help communities navigate the dynamic land-use and policy landscape surrounding data center development: the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/data-center\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Data Center Ordinance Hub\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs new data centers continue to be built and proposed in Georgia, counties and municipalities across the state are considering how to guide this growth. EPIcenter\u2019s data center dashboard provides policymakers, planners, researchers, and community stakeholders with a centralized resource to better understand how data center regulations are being developed and applied across Georgia and the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur Data Center Hub provides Georgia communities with a one-stop shop to understand how their neighbors are managing land-use regulations for data centers,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E, director of EPIcenter. \u201cIt brings together clear, accessible information to help jurisdictions\u0026nbsp;plan when data center growth occurs in their area.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe dashboard is organized around five thematic areas commonly addressed in data center land-use regulations: \u003Cstrong\u003ESite Planning and Building Design, Infrastructure and Utilities, Environmental and Community Protections, Public Safety and Security, and Lifecycle Governance\u003C\/strong\u003E. Within each theme, users can explore specific regulatory topics and access the relevant ordinances enacted by Georgia communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo build the dashboard, EPIcenter researchers conducted a comprehensive review of municipal codes across the state.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe reviewed municipal codes for about 180 cities and counties across Georgia and identified ordinances that specifically address data center development,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/people-yang-you\/\u0022\u003EYang You\u003C\/a\u003E, EPIcenter\u2019s research associate who developed the project. \u201cIn total, we found 19 data center-specific topics that ordinances tend to cover. We analyzed ordinances across jurisdictions and organized their ordinance provisions into topics such as building placement, setbacks, infrastructure, and environmental considerations to make it easier to compare how different jurisdictions regulate data centers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou added that the dashboard also incorporates examples from outside of Georgia. By gathering ordinances from other states and pairing them with Georgia-specific examples, EPIcenter aims to provide a clear framework to help communities efficiently address data center land-use regulation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Data Center Ordinance Hub is available through the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/initiatives-in-the-southeast\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Policy and Innovation Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u003C\/a\u003E) at Georgia Tech has launched an interactive tool to help communities navigate the dynamic land-use and policy landscape surrounding data center development: the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/data-center\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Data Center Ordinance Hub\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs new data centers continue to be built and proposed in Georgia, counties and municipalities across the state are considering how to guide this growth. EPIcenter\u2019s data center dashboard provides policymakers, planners, researchers, and community stakeholders with a centralized resource to better understand how data center regulations are being developed and applied across Georgia and the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur Data Center Hub provides Georgia communities with a one-stop shop to understand how their neighbors are managing land-use regulations for data centers,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E, director of EPIcenter. \u201cIt brings together clear, accessible information to help jurisdictions\u0026nbsp;plan when data center growth occurs in their area.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Energy Policy and Innovation Center (EPIcenter) at Georgia Tech has launched an interactive tool to help communities navigate the dynamic land-use and policy landscape surrounding data center development: the Georgia Data Center Ordinance Hub."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-03-31 02:42:32","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 13:54:10","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679785":{"id":"679785","type":"image","title":"Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1774924962","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 02:42:42","changed":"1774924962","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 02:42:42","alt":"Aerial view of a datacenter with air conditioner compressor fans on the roof of the building","file":{"fid":"263987","name":"Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":936768,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/30\/Datacenter-Cooling-TopView.jpeg?itok=xBJaUq7j"}},"679793":{"id":"679793","type":"image","title":"DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774965063","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 13:51:03","changed":"1774965063","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 13:51:03","alt":"US Map showing States Represented in the Ordinance Hub and State of Georgia with Data Centers and Local Ordinances highlighted","file":{"fid":"263995","name":"DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":400200,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final.jpg?itok=q9cFpM_p"}},"679794":{"id":"679794","type":"image","title":"DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThematic Areas covered by EPIcenter\u0027s Datacenter Ordinance Hub\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774965063","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 13:51:03","changed":"1774965063","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 13:51:03","alt":"Thematic Areas covered by EPIcenter\u0027s Datacenter Ordinance Hub","file":{"fid":"263996","name":"DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":397163,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/DataCenterDashboard-HeaderImage-Final2.jpg?itok=iCDuFZ6-"}}},"media_ids":["679785","679793","679794"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/data-center\/","title":"EPIcenter Georgia Datacenter Ordinance Hub"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689250":{"#nid":"689250","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Look to Bolster Technology Support for Menopause","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWomen in need of supportive maternal and menstrual healthcare in patriarchal societies have increasingly found outlets for disclosure in online communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat support, however, begins to disappear in these restrictive cultures once women reach menopause, according to new research from Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENaveena Karusala, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing, and master\u2019s student Umme Ammara are working toward improving existing technologies and designing new ones for a demographic they believe has been neglected.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKarusala and Ammara co-authored a paper based on a study they conducted with women in urban Pakistan experiencing menopause.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWomen\u2019s health is understudied in general, but menopause is more neglected than other women\u2019s health issues,\u201d Karusala said. \u201cOur choice to focus on menopause is motivated by expanding how we holistically think about women\u2019s well-being across their lifespan.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKarusala and Ammara will present their paper in April at the 2026 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) in Barcelona.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMasking Symptoms\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMenopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period, vaginal bleeding, or spotting. The transition to menopause, called perimenopause, usually happens over two to eight years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHormone changes may cause symptoms such as irregular periods, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, mood swings, and brain fog.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese symptoms can be debilitating in some cases and affect daily life. However, Ammara said women are pressured to remain silent, maintain appearances, and regulate their emotions to meet social expectations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnderstanding menopause is important because a woman would be experiencing all these symptoms, and people will not understand those as actual symptoms,\u201d Ammara said. \u201cThere\u2019s been resistance to the idea of the medicalization of menopause. People don\u2019t view it as an illness, but as a life transition and something that happens naturally.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFeeling Isolated\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe women interviewed by Karusala and Ammara either stayed at home full-time or were part of the workforce.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers discovered that trusted family members might be the only sources women who stay at home and do not work turn to for disclosure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWomen at home have the flexibility to take breaks or work at their own pace, so a lot of their experience is shaped by the emotional barriers they face,\u201d Ammara said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat could come from their husbands and family members. Some are supportive and some are not. They might weaponize it and use that term against them, or they might dismiss what they\u2019re going through.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmmara said it might be easier for women in the workforce to confide in their coworkers, but explaining to an employer that they need sick leave for menopause symptoms can be intimidating.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven in online communities that have enabled women to anonymously share their health experiences, menopause is seldom discussed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERaising Awareness\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKarusala and Ammara argue in their paper that a public health approach could be the most effective way to spark conversation about menopause in a patriarchal culture in which technology use varies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey said the challenge in implementing technologies geared toward menopause support is that the condition isn\u2019t well understood in public. Improving maternal health, for example, is easier to promote within these societies because of the general understanding that motherhood is important.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere must be an existing infrastructure to build on,\u201d Karusala said. \u201cFor example, menstrual and maternal health are taught in schools and regularly discussed in primary care. Cultural and social meaning and importance are placed on motherhood.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA lot of that doesn\u2019t exist for menopause. Primary care doctors are unprepared to talk about menopause compared to other health issues.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDesign Solutions\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmmara said that the most effective way for technologies to make an impact on women going through menopause is to directly address systemic power structures around women\u2019s health within Pakistani culture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt can start with the husbands.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFraming the issue for husbands to understand menopause should be at the forefront of designing technology solutions,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn Islamic contexts, we suggest using faith-based framings. This has been proposed for maternal health in prior works that draw on Islamic principles to engage expectant fathers in providing care and support. Framing it around religious responsibility to involve men in the journey can also be done for menopause.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech assistant professor Naveena Karusala and master\u0027s student Umme Ammara are researching how to improve existing technologies and design new ones to better support women experiencing menopause. Their work is based on a study conducted with women in urban Pakistan, where patriarchal social norms pressure women to stay silent about menopause symptoms and limit their ability to seek support, even in online communities that have otherwise helped women discuss other health issues\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers are looking at how technology can better support women experiencing menopause in urban Pakistan, where patriarchal norms leave them largely isolated and without resources for managing their symptoms."}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-03-31 12:09:13","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 13:18:07","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679788":{"id":"679788","type":"image","title":"Ammara-Umme_86A2210.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774958961","gmt_created":"2026-03-31 12:09:21","changed":"1774958961","gmt_changed":"2026-03-31 12:09:21","alt":"Umme Ammar sits in a booth with laptop in front of her","file":{"fid":"263990","name":"Ammara-Umme_86A2210.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/Ammara-Umme_86A2210.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/31\/Ammara-Umme_86A2210.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":95810,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/31\/Ammara-Umme_86A2210.jpg?itok=7jqYXbcn"}}},"media_ids":["679788"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"8900","name":"women\u0027s history month"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"3543","name":"women\u0027s health"},{"id":"171911","name":"women of pakistan"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ndeen6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ENathan Deen\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Computing\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687881":{"#nid":"687881","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Hacking the Grid: How Digital Sabotage Turns Infrastructure Into a\u00a0Weapon","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe darkness that swept over the Venezuelan capital in the predawn hours of Jan. 3, 2026, signaled a profound shift in the nature of modern conflict: the convergence of physical and cyber warfare. While U.S. special operations forces carried out the dramatic \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/03\/us\/politics\/trump-capture-maduro-venezuela.html\u0022\u003Eseizure of Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro\u003C\/a\u003E, a far quieter but equally devastating offensive was taking place in the unseen digital networks that help operate Caracas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe blackout was not the result of bombed transmission towers or severed power lines but rather a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/15\/us\/politics\/cyberattack-venezuela-military.html\u0022\u003Eprecise and invisible manipulation\u003C\/a\u003E of the industrial control systems that manage the flow of electricity. This synchronization of traditional military action with advanced cyber warfare represents a new chapter in international conflict, one where lines of computer code that manipulate critical infrastructure are among the most potent weapons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo understand how a nation can turn an adversary\u2019s lights out without firing a shot, you have to look inside the controllers that regulate modern infrastructure. They are the digital brains responsible for opening valves, spinning turbines and routing power.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor decades, controller devices were considered simple and isolated. Grid modernization, however, has transformed them into sophisticated internet-connected computers. As a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=kgFnNewAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Ecybersecurity researcher\u003C\/a\u003E, I track how advanced cyber forces exploit this modernization by using digital techniques to control the machinery\u2019s physical behavior.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHijacked Machines\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy colleagues and I have demonstrated how malware can compromise a controller to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.14722\/ndss.2017.23313\u0022\u003Ecreate a split reality\u003C\/a\u003E. The malware intercepts legitimate commands sent by grid operators and replaces them with malicious instructions designed to destabilize the system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, malware could send commands to rapidly open and close circuit breakers, a technique known as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.systemoverflow.com\/learn\/resilience-patterns\/circuit-breaker\/circuit-breaker-failure-modes-flapping-stampedes-and-retry-amplification\u0022\u003Eflapping\u003C\/a\u003E. This action can physically damage massive transformers or generators by causing them to overheat or go out of sync with the grid. These actions can cause fires or explosions that take months to repair.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimultaneously, the malware calculates what the sensor readings should look like if the grid were operating normally and feeds these fabricated values back to the control room. The operators likely see green lights and stable voltage readings on their screens even as transformers are overloading and breakers are tripping in the physical world. This decoupling of the digital image from physical reality leaves defenders blind, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/TSG.2013.2280399\u0022\u003Eunable to diagnose or respond\u003C\/a\u003E to the failure until it is too late.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/713761\/original\/file-20260121-56-lzml1u.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022people wearing hardhats in front of electrical equipment the size of a small house\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/713761\/original\/file-20260121-56-lzml1u.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/713761\/original\/file-20260121-56-lzml1u.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=374\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/713761\/original\/file-20260121-56-lzml1u.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=374\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/713761\/original\/file-20260121-56-lzml1u.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=374\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/713761\/original\/file-20260121-56-lzml1u.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=470\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/713761\/original\/file-20260121-56-lzml1u.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=470\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/713761\/original\/file-20260121-56-lzml1u.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=470\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EToday\u2019s electrical transformers are accessible to hackers.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-23-106180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EGAO\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHistorical examples of this kind of attack include the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/industrialcyber.co\/industrial-cyber-attacks\/zetter-details-how-stuxnet-marked-a-turning-point-in-cyberwarfare-by-enabling-physical-sabotage-through-code\/\u0022\u003EStuxnet\u003C\/a\u003E malware that targeted Iranian nuclear enrichment plants. The malware destroyed centrifuges in 2009 by causing them to spin at dangerous speeds while feeding false \u201cnormal\u201d data to operators.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother example is the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.securityweek.com\/industroyer-ics-malware-linked-ukraine-power-grid-attack\/\u0022\u003EIndustroyer\u003C\/a\u003E attack by Russia against Ukraine\u2019s energy sector in 2016. Industroyer malware targeted Ukraine\u2019s power grid, using the grid\u2019s own industrial communication protocols to directly open circuit breakers and cut power to Kyiv.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore recently, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.securityweek.com\/china-admitted-to-us-that-it-conducted-volt-typhoon-attacks-report\/\u0022\u003EVolt Typhoon\u003C\/a\u003E attack by China against the United States\u2019 critical infrastructure, exposed in 2023, was a campaign focused on pre-positioning. Unlike traditional sabotage, these hackers infiltrated networks to remain dormant and undetected, gaining the ability to disrupt the United States\u2019 communications and power systems during a future crisis.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo defend against these types of attacks, the U.S. military\u2019s Cyber Command has adopted a \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/government-cybersecurity-commission-calls-for-international-cooperation-resilience-and-retaliation-133610\u0022\u003Edefend forward\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d strategy, actively hunting for threats in foreign networks before they reach U.S. soil.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDomestically, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency promotes \u201csecure by design\u201d principles, urging manufacturers to eliminate default passwords and utilities to implement \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/zero-trust-security-assume-that-everyone-and-everything-on-the-internet-is-out-to-get-you-and-maybe-already-has-160969\u0022\u003Ezero trust\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d architectures that assume networks are already compromised.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESupply Chain Vulnerability\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENowadays, there is a vulnerability lurking within the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/the-untold-story-of-solarwinds-the-boldest-supply-chain-hack-ever\/\u0022\u003Esupply chain of the controllers themselves\u003C\/a\u003E. A dissection of firmware from major international vendors reveals a significant reliance on third-party software components to support modern features such as encryption and cloud connectivity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis modernization comes at a cost. Many of these critical devices run on outdated software libraries, some of which are years \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/MSEC.2023.3266775\u0022\u003Epast their end-of-life support\u003C\/a\u003E, meaning they\u2019re no longer supported by the manufacturer. This creates a shared fragility across the industry. A vulnerability in a single, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.heartbleed.com\/\u0022\u003Eubiquitous library like OpenSSL\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 an open-source software toolkit used worldwide by nearly every web server and connected device to encrypt communications \u2013 can expose controllers from multiple manufacturers to the same method of attack.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModern controllers have become web-enabled devices that often host their own administrative websites. These embedded web servers present an often overlooked point of entry for adversaries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAttackers can infect the web application of a controller, allowing the malware to execute within the web browser of any engineer or operator who logs in to manage the plant. This execution enables malicious code to piggyback on legitimate user sessions, bypassing firewalls and issuing commands to the physical machinery without requiring the device\u2019s password to be cracked.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scale of this vulnerability is vast, and the potential for damage extends far beyond the power grid, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3658644.3690267\u0022\u003Etransportation\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3719027.3744837\u0022\u003Emanufacturing\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/ICCPS48487.2020.00011\u0022\u003Ewater treatment\u003C\/a\u003E systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing automated scanning tools, my colleagues and I have discovered that the number of industrial controllers exposed to the public internet is significantly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3658644.3690195\u0022\u003Ehigher than industry estimates suggest\u003C\/a\u003E. Thousands of critical devices, from hospital equipment to substation relays, are visible to anyone with the right search criteria. This exposure provides a rich hunting ground for adversaries to conduct reconnaissance and identify vulnerable targets that serve as entry points into deeper, more protected networks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe success of recent U.S. cyber operations forces a difficult conversation about the vulnerability of the United States. The uncomfortable truth is that the American power grid relies on the same technologies, protocols and supply chains as the systems compromised abroad.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wnhCuYRYCdM?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThe U.S. power grid is vulnerable to hackers.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERegulatory Misalignment\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe domestic risk, however, is compounded by regulatory frameworks that struggle to address the realities of the grid. A comprehensive investigation into the U.S. electric power sector my colleagues and I conducted revealed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3719027.3765184\u0022\u003Esignificant misalignment\u003C\/a\u003E between compliance with regulations and actual security. Our study found that while regulations establish a baseline, they often foster a checklist mentality. Utilities are burdened with excessive documentation requirements that divert resources away from effective security measures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis regulatory lag is particularly concerning given the rapid evolution of the technologies that connect customers to the power grid. The widespread adoption of distributed energy resources, such as residential solar inverters, has created a large, decentralized vulnerability that current regulations barely touch.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnalysis supported by the Department of Energy has shown that these devices \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/ceser\/office-cybersecurity-energy-security-and-emergency-response\u0022\u003Eare often insecure\u003C\/a\u003E. By compromising a relatively small percentage of these inverters, my colleagues and I found that an attacker could manipulate their power output to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/NAPS66256.2025.11272195\u0022\u003Ecause severe instabilities\u003C\/a\u003E across the distribution network. Unlike centralized power plants protected by guards and security systems, these devices sit in private homes and businesses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAccounting for the Physical\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDefending American infrastructure requires moving beyond the compliance checklists that currently dominate the industry. Defense strategies now require a level of sophistication that matches the attacks. This implies a fundamental shift toward security measures that take into account \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.14722\/ndss.2014.23043\u0022\u003Ehow attackers could manipulate physical machinery\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe integration of internet-connected computers into power grids, factories and transportation networks is creating a world where the line between code and physical destruction is irrevocably blurred.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnsuring the resilience of critical infrastructure requires accepting this new reality and building defenses that verify every component, rather than unquestioningly trusting the software and hardware \u2013 or the green lights on a control panel.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/272874\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hacking-the-grid-how-digital-sabotage-turns-infrastructure-into-a-weapon-272874\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETo understand how a nation can turn an adversary\u2019s lights out without firing a shot, you have to look inside the controllers that regulate modern infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"To understand how a nation can turn an adversary\u2019s lights out without firing a shot, you have to look inside the controllers that regulate modern infrastructure. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-01-22 13:46:50","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 11:57:19","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679143":{"id":"679143","type":"image","title":"Today\u2019s power grid equipment incorporates internet-connected \u2013 and therefore hackable \u2013 computers. Joe Raedle\/Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003EToday\u2019s power grid equipment incorporates internet-connected \u2013 and therefore hackable \u2013 computers. Joe Raedle\/Getty Images\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770040095","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 13:48:15","changed":"1770040095","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 13:48:15","alt":"Today\u2019s power grid equipment incorporates internet-connected \u2013 and therefore hackable \u2013 computers. Joe Raedle\/Getty Images","file":{"fid":"263266","name":"file-20260121-66-2blqlf.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/file-20260121-66-2blqlf.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/file-20260121-66-2blqlf.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":572159,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/file-20260121-66-2blqlf.jpg?itok=HoGH-mtB"}}},"media_ids":["679143"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hacking-the-grid-how-digital-sabotage-turns-infrastructure-into-a-weapon-272874","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/saman-zonouz-2560004\u0022\u003ESaman Zonouz\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Privacy and Electrical and Computer Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689246":{"#nid":"689246","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Auto Show Expands to Two-Day Event ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrawing from the Institute\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/archive\/features\/need-speed-georgia-techs-racing-roots-part-2.shtml\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eracing roots\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/traditions.gatech.edu\/ramblinreck.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eaffinity for classic cars\u003C\/a\u003E, the Georgia Tech Auto Show has become a spring staple on campus since its inception in 2003. Its evolution continues this year with the addition of the Mobility Seminar on Friday, April 3, and a special presentation from Hyundai on Saturday, April 4. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELeading into Saturday\u2019s auto show, the Friday seminar \u2014 with a theme of alternative energy and design for sustainable mobility\u003Cem\u003E \u2014 \u003C\/em\u003Ewill feature a trio of experts offering insights into the industry and the technologies shaping the future of transportation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeminar Schedule\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERegistration is open from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 102 of the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, where the seminar will begin after opening remarks from EunSookKwon, professor and chair of the School of Industrial Design. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1:15 \u2013 1:45 p.m.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding for Adventure: The Rivian Design Process\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EJonathan James Szczupak, Senior Director of Design, Rivian\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1:45 \u2014 2:15 p.m.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding a Future-Ready Workforce in the Age of AI\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EHolly Ma, Vice President of Data Engineering, Cox Automotive\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2:15 \u2013 2:45 p.m.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPanel Discussion With Szczupak and Ma \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3 \u2013 3:45 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDecades of Automotive Design\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ETom Shinall, Director of Curatorial Services, Savoy Automobile Museum\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3:45 \u2013 4:30 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudent Competition Center Presentation\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHosted by David Lynn, former race car designer and School of Industrial Design lecturer\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ELearn about seven of Georgia Tech\u2019s student engineering competition teams housed in the Student Competition Center (SCC). The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scc.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESCC\u003C\/a\u003E offers extensive machining resources and fosters engineering innovation for students from across campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4:30 \u2013 5 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClosing Remarks \u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESterling Skinner, a laboratory manager at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and David Lynn, a lecturer in the School of Industrial Design, started the auto show in 2003. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur goal all along has been to expand the auto show into more than just a one-day event, to bring in more speakers, and to provide an educational and informative opportunity that encourages interaction between industry experts and our audience surrounding relevant topics, and broaden the scope of our conversations,\u201d Lynn said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurating the lineup of speakers and presentations, Nyasha Farrington, event coordinator in the College of Design, says the team worked to provide a comprehensive look at the auto manufacturing process. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe really wanted to gear this seminar toward our students, and what they are interested in pursuing as a career, so we hope to give them a start-to-finish takeaway \u2014 from the design to the manufacturing to the marketing aspects of the automotive industry,\u201d she said. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaturday Slate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., classic cars, concept vehicles, unfinished student projects, and everything in between will be parked in the center of campus \u2014 on the walkways surrounding the East and West Architecture Buildings, the John and Joyce Caddell Building, Koan Plaza, and Texas Instruments Plaza in front of the Van Leer Building. For younger car enthusiasts, the show will also feature a workshop with The Home Depot, where children can build their own race car. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA lifelong car enthusiast, Lynn sees the auto show as an opportunity for visitors to gain a new perspective on the automotive industry and the vehicles on display.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are all used to seeing cars in a parking lot, but when you see them there, sometimes you can take them for granted. When you see them out in this sculpture garden setup that we are trying to emulate, whether it\u2019s a Camry or a Lamborghini, you can appreciate their form much better and see them as art and in more of a historical context, and that\u0027s part of the educational process,\u201d Lynn said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth days of the event are free and open to the public. RSVP for Friday\u2019s seminar \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/forms.office.com\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=u5ghSHuuJUuLem1_Mvqgg93_OjzHftNHssfIdixzcPtUNklZOTNMVFlHVlI5MDk2WlIzUzQxRUhITC4u\u0026amp;route=shorturl\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E, and Saturday\u2019s auto show and presentation \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/forms.office.com\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=u5ghSHuuJUuLem1_Mvqgg93_OjzHftNHssfIdixzcPtUQTdDQVFTMEJBUjBZTVdVNlhKUjBNVTdNOS4u\u0026amp;route=shorturl\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/forms.office.com\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=u5ghSHuuJUuLem1_Mvqgg93_OjzHftNHssfIdixzcPtUN0dUM1VBNDFRUzQyWTNSOFJNV1BLTjZZUi4u\u0026amp;route=shorturl\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFill out this form\u003C\/a\u003E if you are interested in registering a vehicle for the auto show. Owners of classic antique cars, late-model modified cars, 4\u00d74 off-road trucks, hot rods, cars modified with alternative power delivery (electric, fuel cell), daily drivers, kit cars, race cars, concept cars, prototype cars, and all kinds of motorcycles are encouraged to participate. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The Georgia Tech Auto Show has expanded its programming to include a seminar that offers insights into the automotive industry."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech Auto Show has expanded its programming to include a seminar that offers insights into the automotive industry.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Georgia Tech Auto Show has expanded its programming to include a seminar that offers insights into the automotive industry."}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-03-30 20:26:29","changed_gmt":"2026-03-30 20:57:04","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679784":{"id":"679784","type":"image","title":"2025 Georgia Tech Auto Show","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESubmitted photo.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774903273","gmt_created":"2026-03-30 20:41:13","changed":"1774903273","gmt_changed":"2026-03-30 20:41:13","alt":"2025 Georgia Tech Auto Show","file":{"fid":"263986","name":"242-9Y5A1685.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/242-9Y5A1685.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/242-9Y5A1685.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2815390,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/30\/242-9Y5A1685.jpg?itok=Htq6ezNF"}}},"media_ids":["679784"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/autoshow.gatech.edu","title":"Georgia Tech Auto Show"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"42921","name":"Exhibitions"}],"keywords":[{"id":"27881","name":"Georgia Tech auto show"},{"id":"38451","name":"georgia tech school of industrial design"},{"id":"168831","name":"College of Design"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689240":{"#nid":"689240","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Smartest Robots May Be the \u2018Dumbest\u2019 Ones","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have created swarms of tiny robotic particles that move and self-organize using only mechanical design \u2014 no electronics, software, or sensors. By encoding behavior in each particle\u2019s shape, the team can control how the swarm spreads and reconfigures, with potential applications in medicine and space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/45225\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech researcher built a robotic swarm with no electronics, no batteries, and no brains. He cut the cord \u2014 and the robots came to life."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have created swarms of tiny robotic particles that move and self-organize using only mechanical design \u2014 no electronics, software, or sensors. By encoding behavior in each particle\u2019s shape, the team can control how the swarm spreads and reconfigures, with potential applications in medicine and space.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech engineers have created electronics-free robotic swarms whose collective intelligence emerges entirely from mechanical design, enabling coordinated behavior for applications in medicine, space, and beyond."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2026-03-30 17:49:06","changed_gmt":"2026-03-30 17:53:33","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679780":{"id":"679780","type":"image","title":"new-potential-image-5.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech engineers have created electronics-free robotic swarms whose collective intelligence emerges entirely from mechanical design, enabling coordinated behavior for applications in medicine, space, and beyond.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774893030","gmt_created":"2026-03-30 17:50:30","changed":"1774893030","gmt_changed":"2026-03-30 17:50:30","alt":"Abstract illustration of clustered white nanoscale particles moving through a dark vessel with signal waves.","file":{"fid":"263982","name":"new-potential-image-5.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/new-potential-image-5.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/new-potential-image-5.png","mime":"image\/png","size":680610,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/30\/new-potential-image-5.png?itok=xm1J3Rru"}}},"media_ids":["679780"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689211":{"#nid":"689211","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Pioneers First Space Sustainability Course in the U.S.","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Polina Verkhovodova began her aerospace engineering Ph.D. at Georgia Tech in 2022, she never imagined developing an interest in space sustainability policy. But a pair of courses showed her how her technical engineering background could merge with policy. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVerkhovodova enrolled in courses on space policy and space sustainability taught by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/thomas-gonzalez-roberts\u0022\u003EThomas Gonz\u00e1lez Roberts\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESam Nunn School of International Affairs\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (AE). Although Roberts is new to Georgia Tech, he is deeply connected within the international space community and regularly brings outside experts into his classroom. Guest speakers introduce students to the breadth of careers in the field, from technical analysis to national and multinational policymaking.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne lecture in the policy class, delivered by a representative from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matthewisakowitzfoundation.org\/scholarship\u0022\u003EMatthew Isakowitz Commercial Space Scholarship\u003C\/a\u003E program, opened a door for Verkhovodova. She later won the scholarship while in Roberts\u2019 sustainability course and spent a summer in Washington, D.C., on the government affairs team for Voyager Technologies Inc., the space technology company.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese courses gave me a new perspective on how we use and consider the space environment,\u201d Verkhovodova said. \u201cThey revealed the interdisciplinary nature of the field of space sustainability to me. Now, I see myself working at that intersection of policy and engineering.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s space sustainability course is the first of its kind in the United States, and each year, it focuses on a different theme. In 2025, it was space congestion in low Earth orbit; this year, it\u2019s lunar surface coordination among nation-states.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding a New Kind of Class\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERoberts designed the course around three components: foundations of space sustainability, an introduction to the principal sustainability challenges in the space domain and how space actors try to solve them;\u0026nbsp;a signature guest lecture series he calls \u201cSpace Sustainability According To\u2026\u201d to show students how these solutions work in practice; and a project workshop, where students break into small groups to answer research questions under the mentorship of Roberts and an external partner organization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe guest lecture series brings in professionals from a wide range of organizations \u2014 economists, astronomers, diplomats, and industry leaders \u2014 to discuss what sustainability means within their part of the space ecosystem. Past speakers have represented institutions including NASA, the United Nations, and Northrop Grumman.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThey all have different perspectives on what it means to be a sustainable steward of the space domain,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cA company needs to be profitable, while NASA\u2019s mission focuses on expanding human knowledge. I want students to see the full spectrum of career paths that will let them work on space sustainability for the rest of their careers, if they choose to.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese conversations expose students to the tools, ideas, and people shaping the emerging discipline \u2014 connections that often extend well beyond the classroom.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EModeling the Future of Space\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome guest speakers are part of the course\u2019s external partnerships with leading space sustainability organizations, like last year\u2019s collaboration with The Aerospace Corporation and this year\u2019s with the Open Lunar Foundation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2025, The Aerospace Corporation showed students how to use important research tools and also mentored student research teams as they developed their final projects. One of these tools was the\u0026nbsp;MIT Orbital Capacity Assessment Tool (MOCAT), an influential model used to study the effects of space debris on the long-term usability of the most popular portion of the space domain. Space debris and the resulting congestion for satellites and spacecraft navigating around this debris are some of the most pressing challenges in space sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne of the most unique experiences was that our professor used his connections to bring the original architects of MOCAT into the class,\u201d said aerospace engineering Ph.D. student Neel Puri.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong those architects was Miles Lifson. A graduate school colleague of Roberts\u2019 at MIT, Lifson is now a project leader in flight mechanics at The Aerospace Corporation. While Aerospace Corporation already collaborates with Georgia Tech through internships and lab partnerships, Lifson saw the class as a rare chance to work directly with students.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen I heard about this class, I was really excited,\u201d he said. \u201cSpace situational awareness, space debris, spacecraft coordination \u2014 these issues are becoming increasingly important as we put more spacecraft into orbit. It\u2019s immensely rewarding to work with students because they\u2019re passionate about solving problems and full of ideas. These are skills the space industry really needs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom Classroom to Conference Stage\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELifson also supported students in their final projects, helping them use the MOCAT model to analyze real-world problems and craft policy recommendations. One project, led by Puri, grew into a published conference paper, \u003Cem\u003E\u201c\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arc.aiaa.org\/doi\/10.2514\/6.2026-0159\u0022\u003ESpace Sustainability Implications of Combining Space Environment Pathways With Shared Socioeconomic Pathways\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0022 which he\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Epresented at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech Conference in January.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir research builds on recent findings that climate change is thinning the upper atmosphere, reducing drag and causing debris to remain in orbit longer. Their work shows that, depending on future climate scenarios, predicted debris in low Earth orbit could vary by 15% to 100%, underscoring the significance of climate factors in long-term analysis and planning for space traffic management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven though sustainability is already part of Puri\u2019s research focus, he credits Roberts and the course with opening another door in the field and providing valuable context to his doctoral dissertation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA New Model for Tech-Driven Policymaking\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERoberts sees the course as part of a larger mission.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech can be a factory for producing tech\u2011driven policymakers,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I was choosing where to go in my career as a faculty member, I wanted to be part of that factory. I get to help shape it, both in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2025\/10\/georgia-tech-engineering-space-policy-lab-debuts\u0022\u003Emy lab\u003C\/a\u003E and new course offerings like this one.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith its blend of policy, engineering, real-world tools, and direct access to leading practitioners, Georgia Tech\u2019s space sustainability course is not just pioneering a new curriculum. It\u2019s preparing the next generation of space leaders to navigate and protect an increasingly crowded frontier.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe class blends policy and engineering, giving students rare access to real-world practitioners.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The class blends policy and engineering, giving students rare access to real-world practitioners."}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-03-26 20:58:33","changed_gmt":"2026-03-30 16:06:52","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679749":{"id":"679749","type":"image","title":"iss070e044474-large.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECourtesy of NASA\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774558736","gmt_created":"2026-03-26 20:58:56","changed":"1774559878","gmt_changed":"2026-03-26 21:17:58","alt":"orthrop Grumman\u0027s Cygnus space freighter is pictured in the grip of the Canadarm2 robotic arm shortly after it was detached from the Unity module. The orbital complex was soaring 260 miles above the island archipelago of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean at the time of this photograph.","file":{"fid":"263947","name":"iss070e044474-large.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/26\/iss070e044474-large_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/26\/iss070e044474-large_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":400438,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/26\/iss070e044474-large_0.jpg?itok=RHibIbRZ"}},"679750":{"id":"679750","type":"image","title":"ThomasGonzalezRoberts.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThomas Gonz\u00e1lez Roberts\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774559176","gmt_created":"2026-03-26 21:06:16","changed":"1774559176","gmt_changed":"2026-03-26 21:06:16","alt":"Thomas Gonzalez Roberts","file":{"fid":"263948","name":"ThomasGonzalezRoberts.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/26\/ThomasGonzalezRoberts.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/26\/ThomasGonzalezRoberts.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5089818,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/26\/ThomasGonzalezRoberts.jpg?itok=DZMcEZRc"}},"679751":{"id":"679751","type":"image","title":"GreenShirt-Pic-Cropped.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003ENeel Puri\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774559354","gmt_created":"2026-03-26 21:09:14","changed":"1774559354","gmt_changed":"2026-03-26 21:09:14","alt":"Neel Puri","file":{"fid":"263949","name":"GreenShirt-Pic-Cropped.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/26\/GreenShirt-Pic-Cropped.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/26\/GreenShirt-Pic-Cropped.png","mime":"image\/png","size":15483322,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/26\/GreenShirt-Pic-Cropped.png?itok=YVC4-Zea"}},"679752":{"id":"679752","type":"image","title":"Lifson.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMiles Lifson\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774559510","gmt_created":"2026-03-26 21:11:50","changed":"1774559510","gmt_changed":"2026-03-26 21:11:50","alt":"Miles Lifson","file":{"fid":"263950","name":"Lifson.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/26\/Lifson.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/26\/Lifson.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2151241,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/26\/Lifson.jpeg?itok=5QKbXsYu"}},"679772":{"id":"679772","type":"image","title":"Verkhovodova_Headshot.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPolina Verkhovodova\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774881835","gmt_created":"2026-03-30 14:43:55","changed":"1774881835","gmt_changed":"2026-03-30 14:43:55","alt":"Polina Verkhovodova","file":{"fid":"263973","name":"Verkhovodova_Headshot.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/Verkhovodova_Headshot.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/Verkhovodova_Headshot.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2845418,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/30\/Verkhovodova_Headshot.jpeg?itok=9xK7Un3L"}}},"media_ids":["679749","679750","679751","679752","679772"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660370","name":"Space"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689215":{"#nid":"689215","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Built for the Long Run ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs vice provost for Enrollment Management, Rick Clark develops strategies to expand access to Georgia Tech and help students find their path here. As an ultra trail runner, Clark understands that, while there may be twists and turns along the way, perseverance and a steady approach are vital when the path ahead seems daunting.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe started running as conditioning for soccer, but as he looked for new challenges, he discovered ultra trail running \u2014 any course longer than a traditional marathon. The longest race he\u2019s completed was a 60-mile trek in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, in a torrential downpour. Not concerned with the leaderboards, Clark says he runs to test his limits and reach new personal highs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSometimes you find yourself far from the finish line, wondering if you can keep going, but that\u2019s when you know you really have to dig deep. In those moments, I put my hands on my knees, look at the ground, count to three, and go again. Eventually, you\u2019ll have this moment where one second you\u2019re wondering \u2018Why am I doing this?\u2019 or thinking you won\u2019t do it again, and then a day later you\u2019re looking at what races are coming up and asking yourself, \u2018What can I do next?\u2019\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether it\u2019s training for his next race or working toward Institute-wide goals \u2014 becoming a top university for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/06\/25\/georgia-tech-tops-princeton-reviews-best-value-list\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ereturn on investment\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.em.gatech.edu\/2025\/08\/18\/over-5400-undergraduates-join-georgia-tech\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eenrolling students\u003C\/a\u003E from all 159 Georgia counties, or expanding access through \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/29\/georgia-tech-has-historic-fundraising-year\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eneed-based scholarships\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 Clark is energized by the work that precedes the payoff and sees that mindset on the trail and at Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat I love about being at Georgia Tech is that nobody\u2019s satisfied with the status quo. Nobody is satisfied with what we\u2019ve done. There\u2019s always this ambition among our students, faculty, staff, and alumni to ask how we can get better.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClark has worked in various roles during his 25 years in higher education, including more than 20 years at Tech. Noting the parallel between his work and his hobby, Clark says that neither running 60 miles nor paying off a \u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/09\/04\/georgia-techs-big-bets-delivering-record-results\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ebig bet\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019 happens all at once, and that it\u2019s important to celebrate small victories along the way.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHigher education is an ultramarathon,\u201d he said. \u201cIn trail running, there are aid stations along the course. You might go miles between them, but when you reach an intersection, and there\u2019s a group willing to share a snack and a drink by the fire, that\u2019s a point to celebrate that you\u2019ve made it that far. And that\u2019s higher education, too. We keep the end goals in mind, but it\u2019s a long course, and you\u2019re never going to just sprint to the end.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClark also stresses that both on the trail and on campus, nothing is achieved alone. He says that his support system \u2014 family, friends, and fellow trail runners \u2014 is with him every step of the way during races, and that same level of support and collaboration is also critical to shared success at Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinding time to train can be challenging, but having learned from his experience co-authoring a book\u0026nbsp; \u2014 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.press.jhu.edu\/books\/title\/53665\/truth-about-college-admission?srsltid=AfmBOormi34Lhxq0gtLxa2o04E7WUuNPc8yFCokvcQ4IOsIAEdLzDJgF\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003C\/em\u003E\u2014 Clark takes any opportunity to fit a \u201ctherapeutic\u201d run into his daily schedule, even if it\u2019s at 4 a.m. or 11 p.m. Training and planning for any hurdle that may arise are what Clark says keeps him calm, even when adversity hits.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEven success can create new challenges, and with that comes some long days and tough decisions where you don\u2019t know if you\u2019re taking the right path. With trail running, you may end up a mile off course sometimes, and while that can be discouraging, you know it\u2019s a chance to trust your training, not lose your composure, stay resilient, and keep going until the end,\u201d Clark said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcceptance to Georgia Tech can feel like the beginning of a race, and Clark and the enrollment management team want to ensure that every student has the opportunity to run it.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe believe strongly in the idea that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not, and that\u0027s what we\u0027re focused on: expanding that opportunity. For a student who has the ability, we need to be a place that gives them the chance to come here, and then support them when they are here, to ensure they can take advantage of all the resources Tech has to offer.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":" With the mindset of an ultra trail runner, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Rick Clark approaches his goals one step at a time.  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWith the mindset of an ultra trail runner, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Rick Clark approaches his goals one step at a time.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" With the mindset of an ultra trail runner, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Rick Clark approaches his goals one step at a time.  "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-03-27 13:58:36","changed_gmt":"2026-03-30 14:21:16","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679769":{"id":"679769","type":"video","title":"The Long Run \u2014 Jackets of All Trades: Rick Clark","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIn this episode of Jackets of All Trades, we meet Rick Clark, Georgia Tech\u2019s Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and an ultra\u2011trail marathon runner. From navigating grueling endurance races to guiding students through one of the most consequential decisions of their lives, Rick reflects on how perseverance, discipline, and long\u2011term vision inform both his personal passions and his professional purpose.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774807533","gmt_created":"2026-03-29 18:05:33","changed":"1774807533","gmt_changed":"2026-03-29 18:05:33","video":{"youtube_id":"A9-yAdoc6qY","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/A9-yAdoc6qY?si=6bSL4YZl-Sxi8eJn"}},"679755":{"id":"679755","type":"image","title":"Rick Clark","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVice Provost for Enrollment Management Rick Clark participates in an ultramarathon. Submitted photo.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774620056","gmt_created":"2026-03-27 14:00:56","changed":"1774620056","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 14:00:56","alt":"Rick Clark","file":{"fid":"263954","name":"Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-6.02.24-PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-6.02.24-PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-6.02.24-PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1304898,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/27\/Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-6.02.24-PM.png?itok=f01lHREk"}}},"media_ids":["679769","679755"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194316","name":"enrollment management"},{"id":"27271","name":"Rick Clark"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003EStory Produced by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:meavenson@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMicah Eavenson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:julian.hills@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJulian Hills\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689226":{"#nid":"689226","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Energy Day Brings Leaders Together to Tackle AI Power Demands ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore than 300 leaders from industry, government, and academia gathered on Georgia Tech\u2019s campus for Energy Day, a one-day conference focused on one of today\u2019s most urgent challenges: meeting the rapidly growing energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI). \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHeld on March 19, the event was co-hosted by Georgia Tech\u2019s\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/a\u003E\u202f(IMS) and\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E\u202f(SEI) with plenary support from the\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E. This year\u2019s theme, Energy for AI, anchored discussions on how energy systems must evolve to support an increasingly digital and computer-intensive world. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEnergy Day demonstrates how critical it is to align research, industry, and policy to manage rising power demand and modernize our energy systems,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/4478\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, SEI\u2019s executive director. \u201cAt Georgia Tech, we are committed to advancing solutions that translate research into impact at the speed innovation demands.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s Energy Day continued the momentum of past events, beginning with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-battery-day-reveals-opportunities-energy-storage-research\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBattery Day\u003C\/a\u003E in 2023. As research priorities have expanded, the event has grown to highlight Georgia Tech and the state of Georgia as national hubs for next-generation energy innovation, advanced manufacturing, and data-driven infrastructure. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program was structured to foster high-level dialogue through keynote presentations and panel discussions, as well as deeper, focused tracks on specialized technical topics. The morning session featured a fireside chat between presenting sponsor GE Vernova and Georgia Tech Executive Vice President for Research Tim Lieuwen, followed by a keynote address from Vanessa Chan, former U.S. Department of Energy official and expert in commercialization and innovation, and two panels focused on policy, materials, and the evolving energy ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGreat ideas usually come out when you bring together different perspectives,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2926\u0022\u003EEric Vogel\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of IMS. \u201cThat\u2019s why we have this event. It helps scientists think more broadly, connects policymakers to science, and demonstrates the strength of Georgia Tech\u2019s research community.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the afternoon, attendees split into three technical tracks addressing critical challenges at the intersection of energy and AI \u2014 from power delivery and storage to materials, infrastructure, and system resilience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDesigned to bring together researchers, policy makers, industry leaders, and students, Energy Day continues to drive interdisciplinary collaboration. Conversations throughout the day centered on three ideas: the magnitude and certainty of rising global energy demand, the urgency of scaling solutions efficiently, and the necessity of broad collaboration across research, industry, policy, and workforce pathways.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event concluded with a student poster session featuring more than 20 research presentations, highlighting emerging work from across Georgia Tech. Three were recognized for excellence:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFirst place:\u003C\/strong\u003E Douglas Nelson \u2014 Improving Energy Efficiency in Fume Hoods and Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFinalist:\u003C\/strong\u003E Erik Barbosa \u2014 Multiscale Approach for Thermochemical Energy Storage in Buildings\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFinalist:\u003C\/strong\u003E Ricardo Cruzado Valladares \u2014 Energy-Water Nexus for Sustainable AI Data Centers\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMore than 300 experts from industry, government, and academia gathered at Georgia Tech to explore how energy systems must evolve to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"More than 300 experts from industry, government, and academia gathered at Georgia Tech to explore how energy systems must evolve to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. "}],"uid":"35272","created_gmt":"2026-03-27 18:53:00","changed_gmt":"2026-03-27 19:06:45","author":"aneumeister3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679766":{"id":"679766","type":"image","title":"Energy-Day-photos_0003_DSC_0456-LR.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEric Vogel welcomed attendees to Energy Day.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774637673","gmt_created":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","changed":"1774637673","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","alt":"A man stands at a podium speaking in front of a large screen displaying \u201cGeorgia Tech Energy Day: Energy for AI.\u201d The setting is a conference room with stage lighting and an audience out of frame.","file":{"fid":"263965","name":"Energy-Day-photos_0003_DSC_0456-LR.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0003_DSC_0456-LR.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0003_DSC_0456-LR.png","mime":"image\/png","size":845836,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0003_DSC_0456-LR.png?itok=nIqE6XEs"}},"679765":{"id":"679765","type":"image","title":"Energy-Day-photos_0002_DSC_0526-LR.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech EVPR Tim Lieuwen (left) with Amit Kulkarni (center) and Jim Walsh (right), both speakers from GE Vernova.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774637673","gmt_created":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","changed":"1774637673","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","alt":"Three men sit on stage in a panel discussion, smiling and holding microphones. Water bottles rest on small tables beside their chairs.","file":{"fid":"263964","name":"Energy-Day-photos_0002_DSC_0526-LR.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0002_DSC_0526-LR.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0002_DSC_0526-LR.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1124177,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0002_DSC_0526-LR.png?itok=QVABcM4a"}},"679763":{"id":"679763","type":"image","title":"Energy-Day-photos_0000_DSC_9011-LR.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMarta Hatzell served as Energy Day emcee.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774637673","gmt_created":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","changed":"1774637673","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","alt":"A wide view of a conference room shows attendees seated and facing a stage with a large screen reading \u201cGeorgia Tech Energy Day: Energy for AI.\u201d Marta Hatzell stands at a podium to the right of the screen.","file":{"fid":"263962","name":"Energy-Day-photos_0000_DSC_9011-LR.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0000_DSC_9011-LR.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0000_DSC_9011-LR.png","mime":"image\/png","size":951439,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0000_DSC_9011-LR.png?itok=i4h-upHs"}},"679762":{"id":"679762","type":"image","title":"DSC_0602-LR.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVanessa Chan gave the keynote presentation at Energy Day.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774637673","gmt_created":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","changed":"1774637673","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","alt":"Vanessa Chan speaks at a podium at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, addressing an audience. She holds a clicker and stands behind a laptop during a formal presentation.","file":{"fid":"263961","name":"DSC_0602-LR.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/DSC_0602-LR.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/DSC_0602-LR.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":747615,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/27\/DSC_0602-LR.jpeg?itok=__7ajwHl"}},"679764":{"id":"679764","type":"image","title":"Energy-Day-photos_0001_DSC_0751-LR.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYaunzhi Tang (left) moderated the Beyond Scarcity: Building Resilient Critical Materials Supply Chains for Energy Systems panel.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774637673","gmt_created":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","changed":"1774637673","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 18:54:33","alt":"Three panelists sit on stage during a discussion, with one man gesturing as he speaks while the others listen. The moderator holds a microphone and looks toward him.","file":{"fid":"263963","name":"Energy-Day-photos_0001_DSC_0751-LR.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0001_DSC_0751-LR.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0001_DSC_0751-LR.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1056746,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/27\/Energy-Day-photos_0001_DSC_0751-LR.png?itok=4ogONbPt"}},"679767":{"id":"679767","type":"image","title":"poster-session.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents participated in the Energy Day poster session.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774638162","gmt_created":"2026-03-27 19:02:42","changed":"1774638162","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 19:02:42","alt":"A group of people stand indoors at an event, smiling and posing together while holding large ceremonial checks. Three individuals in front display checks for finalist awards and a first-place prize.","file":{"fid":"263967","name":"poster-session.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/poster-session.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/poster-session.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4210955,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/27\/poster-session.png?itok=_5ad7CtO"}}},"media_ids":["679766","679765","679763","679762","679764","679767"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and 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:amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAmelia Neumeister\u003C\/a\u003E | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689023":{"#nid":"689023","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Bracketology Driven by Data ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETens of millions of brackets have been filled out ahead of the NCAA men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball tournaments. Some fans will choose winners based on the higher seed, others will try to predict shocking upsets, and some may choose who advances based on which mascot would win a fight, but a Georgia Tech professor has his bracket down to a (data) science. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince 2004, Joel Sokol, director of the Master of Science in Analytics program and the Harold E. Smalley Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has used a pair of analytic methods \u2014 logistic regression and Markov chains (LRMC) \u2014 to determine the best teams in college basketball. This year, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2.isye.gatech.edu\/~jsokol\/lrmcclassic\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESokol\u2019s LRMC rankings\u003C\/a\u003E project the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2.isye.gatech.edu\/~jsokol\/profspicks\/profspicks26-c.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMichigan Wolverines to cut down the nets\u003C\/a\u003E at the end of the men\u2019s tournament and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2.isye.gatech.edu\/~jsokol\/profspicksW\/profspicks26w-c.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EConnecticut Huskies as the last team standing in the women\u2019s field\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe algorithm compares all 350-plus Division I basketball teams against each other simultaneously during the regular season and calculates probabilities based on simple data points \u2014 who won each game, by how much, and where it was played. When the madness of March begins, Sokol\u2019s bracket forgoes the seeds assigned to teams and fills out his bracket based on the LRMC rankings.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModels used by the tournament selection committee \u2014 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/article\/2022-12-05\/college-basketballs-net-rankings-explained\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENET\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/article\/2022-02-09\/mens-college-basketball-rankings-what-kpi\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKPI\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kenpom.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKenPom\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 measure advanced metrics like strength of schedule, possession-by-possession efficiency, opponent quality, and more, but Sokol, with expertise in sports analytics and data science, says the LRMC shows the value of simple data and a large sample size.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe LRMC can hold its own against those models that are based on much more advanced metrics than just scoreboard data. They may look at all kinds of information, from efficiencies down to individual player performance, but the message really is that if you have a good set of simple data, that\u2019s enough if you know how to interpret it.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESokol compares his algorithm to nearly 100 other ranking systems and says the LRMC is often among the top performers, with the higher-ranked teams (in the LRMC rankings) winning approximately 75% of the time \u2014 a statistic that holds true in the NCAA Tournament. Sokol says that 25% of tournament games result in an upset. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor 2026, Sokol\u2019s projections predict that all eight No. 1 seeds \u2014 four in both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s tournaments \u2014 will reach the Final Four, but it\u2019s not always a guarantee that the highest seeds make it out of their respective regions. The inaugural LRMC rankings accurately predicted the No. 3-seeded Yellow Jackets\u2019 Final Four run in 2004 \u2014 one of the only predictive models to do so.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESokol got the idea to compile the LRMC rankings one year before Tech\u2019s run to the national championship game, when the Yellow Jackets were left out of the NCAA Tournament as a bubble team, largely because of a December buzzer-beater loss to Tennessee. Since the first set of rankings, machine learning and artificial intelligence have become more accessible, yet Sokol says ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) aren\u2019t quite ready to handle the level of analysis required to shape the rankings.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese LLMs are good at sounding good, but they\u0027re not so good at doing these complex quantitative tasks,\u201d he said. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, though, luck is often a stubbornly unquantifiable factor when filling out a bracket, no matter the formula used to make selections, and the odds of filling out a perfect bracket are all but \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/bracketiq\/2026-02-18\/perfect-ncaa-bracket-absurd-odds-march-madness-dream\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ea statistical impossibility\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"For two decades, a Georgia Tech professor has used simple data to track the best teams in college basketball and predict who will win the NCAA Tournament.   "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor two decades, a Georgia Tech professor has used simple data to track the best teams in college basketball and predict who will win the NCAA Tournament. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"For two decades, a Georgia Tech professor has used simple data to track the best teams in college basketball and predict who will win the NCAA Tournament.   "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 20:24:38","changed_gmt":"2026-03-27 14:20:39","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679681":{"id":"679681","type":"image","title":"Joel Sokol","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJoel Sokol, director of the Master of Science in Analytics program and the Harold E. Smalley Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773865550","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 20:25:50","changed":"1773865550","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 20:25:50","alt":"Joel Sokol","file":{"fid":"263871","name":"12C3046-P1-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/12C3046-P1-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/12C3046-P1-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2410903,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/12C3046-P1-001.jpg?itok=b7bFdqK3"}}},"media_ids":["679681"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"62061","name":"March Madness"},{"id":"181299","name":"ncaa tournament"},{"id":"12204","name":"men\u0027s basketball"},{"id":"4811","name":"women\u0027s basketball"},{"id":"79951","name":"college basketball"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688902":{"#nid":"688902","#data":{"type":"news","title":"3.8\u2011Billion\u2011Year\u2011Old Titanium Clue Sheds New Light on the Moon\u2019s Early Chemistry","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA chemical signature hidden in a 3.8\u2011billion\u2011year\u2011old lunar rock is offering new insights into the availability of oxygen within the young Moon.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPublished today in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ethe paper \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-026-69770-w\u0022\u003ETrivalent Titanium in High-Titanium Lunar Ilmenite\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d confirms titanium in a reduced, trivalent state in a black, metal-rich lunar mineral called\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Eilmenite\u003C\/em\u003E. It\u2019s a state only possible in low-oxygen environments, conditions researchers refer to as \u201creducing.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cModels have suggested that these reducing conditions may have varied at different locations and times across the surface of the Moon,\u201d says lead author\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/advik-vira\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvik Vira\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a graduate student in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E who recently earned his doctoral degree. \u201cWe hope our microscopy technique can be a valuable step in mapping and understanding the Moon\u2019s 4.5-billion-year history.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team anticipates that their technique could be used on many of the lunar samples collected more than 50 years ago by the Apollo missions in addition to the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/lunar-science\/programs\/angsa\/\u0022\u003EApollo Next Generation Samples\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 a group of lunar samples that have been stored under pristine conditions \u2014 and new samples from the planned\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-ii\/\u0022\u003EArtemis missions\u003C\/a\u003E, with Artemis II slated for launch this spring. The technique might also be applicable to samples collected from the far side of the Moon and returned in 2024 by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.planetary.org\/space-missions\/change-6\u0022\u003EChang\u2019e-6 mission\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe Moon holds clues not only to its own past, but also to the earliest eras of Earth\u2019s evolution \u2014 history that has long since been erased from our planet,\u201d Vira says. \u201cThis study is a step toward understanding the history of both and a reminder that there is still so much left to learn from the lunar rocks we\u2019ve brought back to Earth.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe School of Physics research team included corresponding authors Vira and Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/phillip-first\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPhillip First\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E; in addition to graduate student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERoshan Trivedi\u003C\/strong\u003E; undergraduate students\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EGabriella Dotson, Keyes Eames\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EDean Kim,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u003Cstrong\u003E Emma Livernois\u003C\/strong\u003E; and Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/zhigang-jiang\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZhigang Jiang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, along with Institute for Matter and Systems Materials Characterization Facility Senior Research Scientist\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.research.gatech.edu\/people\/mengkun-tian\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMengkun Tian\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E Senior Research Scientist\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/brant-m-jones\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrant Jones\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/thomas-orlando\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThom Orlando\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003ERegents\u0027 Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry with a joint appointment in the School of Physics.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Georgia Tech team was joined by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/addisenergy.com\/\u0022\u003EAddis Energy\u003C\/a\u003E Senior Geochemist\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKatherine Burgess\u003C\/strong\u003E; Macalester College Assistant Professor of Geology\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/geology\/facultystaff\/emily-first\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEmily First\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E; along with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lbl.gov\/\u0022\u003ELawrence Berkeley National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E Research Scientist\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energygeosciences.lbl.gov\/profile\/hlisabeth\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHarrison Lisabeth\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Senior Scientist\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/als.lbl.gov\/people\/nobumichi-tamura\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENobumichi Tamura\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EPostdoctoral Fellow\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ETyler Farr,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ewho recently earned a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECLEVER research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe investigation began with a dark gray rock called a lunar basalt. Formed when ancient magma erupted on the Moon\u2019s surface, minerals crystallized as it cooled \u2014 preserving key information in their structures. Billions of years later, the rock was brought to Earth by the 1972 Apollo 17 mission, where a small piece is now stored at Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/clever.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Lunar Environment and Volatile Exploration Research (CLEVER)\u003C\/a\u003E, a NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) center led by Orlando.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs a NASA virtual institute, CLEVER supports researchers exploring lunar conditions and developing tools for the upcoming crewed Artemis missions, and provided the lunar samples for this research. The SSERVI also plays a critical role in training the next generation of planetary researchers: both Vira and Farr earned their Ph.D.s while on the CLEVER team.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAt CLEVER, we are very interested in understanding the impacts of space weathering,\u201d Vira says. \u201cWe implemented modern\u0026nbsp;sample preparation and advanced microscopy techniques\u0026nbsp;to image samples at the atomic level, and were curious to apply it more broadly to the collection of Apollo rocks in the Orlando Lab. This sample caught our attention.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWhen we imaged an ilmenite crystal from the lunar basalt, what struck us first was how uniform and perfect the crystal structure was,\u201d he recalls. \u201cWe found no defects from space weathering and instead saw an undamaged, pristine crystal \u2014 undisturbed for 3.8 billion years.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETo investigate further, the team analyzed small chips of the rock with Burgess,\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ea member of the RISE2 SSERVI team and then a geologist at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nrl.navy.mil\/\u0022\u003EU.S. Naval Research Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E. Using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, Vira determined the oxidation state of the elements in the ilmenite\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Epresent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn spectroscopy measurements, each element leaves a distinct \u2018signature,\u2019 Vira explains. \u201cWhen we brought our results back to Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.research.gatech.edu\/mcf\/materials-characterization-facility\u0022\u003EMaterials Characterization Facility\u003C\/a\u003E, Mengkun (Tian) noticed something unusual: the signature showed titanium might be present in the trivalent state.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe presence of trivalent titanium had long been suspected in this lunar mineral. The team was intrigued.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA new window into old rocks\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWith funding from Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cstar.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Space Technology and Research (CSTAR)\u003C\/a\u003E, Vira returned to the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory to analyze additional samples. The results confirmed that more titanium was present than the mineral\u2019s formula (FeTiO\u2083) predicts \u2014 indicating a portion of the titanium present was trivalent.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThat led me to place our measurements in terms of the broader geological context,\u201d Vira shares. Working with First, Vira explored how ilmenite with trivalent titanium could help reconstruct the nature of ancient magmas from the Moon, especially the chemical availability of oxygen.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cBecause its location on the Moon was noted during the Apollo mission, we know exactly where this rock is from, and we can determine how old the rock is,\u201d he explains. \u201cWhen coupled with our trivalent titanium measurements, we can use that information to estimate the reducing conditions for this specific region at the specific time our rock formed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIf the upcoming Artemis missions return samples suitable for the team\u2019s technique, these rocks could provide a new window into ancient lunar geology. The research also highlights that many lunar samples already on Earth could be reexamined to look for trivalent titanium.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThere is still so much to learn from the lunar samples we have already brought to Earth,\u201d Vira says. \u201cIt\u2019s a testament to the long-term value of each sample return mission. As technology continues to advance, this type of work will continue to give us critical insights into our planet and our place in the universe for years to come.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-026-69770-w\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E10.1038\/s41467-026-69770-w\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding\u003C\/strong\u003E: This work was directly supported by the NASA SSERVI under CLEVER. Researchers were also supported by the NASA RISE2 SSERVI and the Heising-Simons Foundation. Funding for collaborations between the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and Georgia Tech for the investigation of lunar minerals was provided by the Georgia Tech Center for Space Technology and Research. Sample preparation was performed at the Georgia Tech Institute for Matter and Systems, which is supported by the National Science Foundation. This work utilized the resources of the Advanced Light Source, a user facility supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, and was supported in part by previous breakthroughs obtained through the Laboratory Direct.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe finding offers new clues about the oxygen conditions that shaped the Moon\u2019s early environment.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The finding offers new clues about the oxygen conditions that shaped the Moon\u2019s early environment."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-03-12 18:40:17","changed_gmt":"2026-03-27 14:09:07","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679604":{"id":"679604","type":"image","title":"Taken aboard Apollo 8 by Bill Anders, this iconic picture shows Earth peeking out from beyond the lunar surface as the first crewed spacecraft circumnavigated the Moon, with astronauts Anders, Frank Borman, and Jim Lovell aboard. (Credit: NASA)","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETaken aboard Apollo 8 by Bill Anders, this iconic picture shows Earth peeking out from beyond the lunar surface as the first crewed spacecraft circumnavigated the Moon, with astronauts Anders, Frank Borman, and Jim Lovell aboard. (Credit: NASA)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773340129","gmt_created":"2026-03-12 18:28:49","changed":"1774620147","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 14:02:27","alt":"Earth peeking out from beyond the lunar surface.","file":{"fid":"263785","name":"Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-11.32.02-AM_0.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-11.32.02-AM_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-11.32.02-AM_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":884051,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/12\/Screenshot-2026-03-12-at-11.32.02-AM_0.png?itok=MbOCiQtk"}},"679608":{"id":"679608","type":"image","title":"Advik Vira","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAdvik Vira\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773340703","gmt_created":"2026-03-12 18:38:23","changed":"1773340750","gmt_changed":"2026-03-12 18:39:10","alt":"Advik Vira. He is wearing a colorful science-print button up.","file":{"fid":"263789","name":"Vira-Headshot.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/Vira-Headshot.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/Vira-Headshot.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":341274,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/12\/Vira-Headshot.jpg?itok=ogP_wqEd"}},"679610":{"id":"679610","type":"image","title":"An illustration\u00a0of the Apollo rock 75035\u00a0on the Moon, an atomic image of the sample, and its spectral signature.\u00a0(Credit: August Davis)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn illustration\u0026nbsp;of the Apollo rock 75035\u0026nbsp;on the Moon, an atomic image of the sample, and its spectral signature.\u0026nbsp;(Credit: August Davis)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773350645","gmt_created":"2026-03-12 21:24:05","changed":"1774620172","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 14:02:52","alt":"A figure showing moon rocks, a magnifying glass showing the internal structure, with a green wavy line emitting from the rock.","file":{"fid":"263792","name":"feature-image-suggestion--1-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/feature-image-suggestion--1-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/feature-image-suggestion--1-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":752836,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/12\/feature-image-suggestion--1-.png?itok=wx3iLDkB"}},"679606":{"id":"679606","type":"image","title":"An optical image of the chip\u00a0from the lunar\u00a0rock\u00a0the team investigated.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn optical image of the chip\u0026nbsp;from the lunar\u0026nbsp;rock\u0026nbsp;the team investigated.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773340509","gmt_created":"2026-03-12 18:35:09","changed":"1774620185","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 14:03:05","alt":"A chip of the lunar sample.","file":{"fid":"263787","name":"optical-image-75035.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/optical-image-75035.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/optical-image-75035.png","mime":"image\/png","size":284379,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/12\/optical-image-75035.png?itok=7TX3fZrH"}},"679607":{"id":"679607","type":"image","title":"An image of the chip from the sample, imaged using scanning electron microscopy. Titanium is shown in light blue, and white boxes show areas where\u00a0samples\u00a0were\u00a0extracted\u00a0to analyze the\u00a0ilmenite\u00a0crystal.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn image of the chip from the sample, imaged using scanning electron microscopy. Titanium is shown in light blue, and white boxes show areas where\u0026nbsp;samples\u0026nbsp;were\u0026nbsp;extracted\u0026nbsp;to analyze the\u0026nbsp;ilmenite\u0026nbsp;crystal.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773340593","gmt_created":"2026-03-12 18:36:33","changed":"1774620199","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 14:03:19","alt":"The chip, colored in large areas with purple, with blue ribbons of color. There are a total of five white rectangles on the blue areas.","file":{"fid":"263791","name":"SEM-image-75035.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/SEM-image-75035.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/SEM-image-75035.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5511950,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/12\/SEM-image-75035.png?itok=aaHnKhSw"}}},"media_ids":["679604","679608","679610","679606","679607"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-026-69770-w","title":"Trivalent titanium in high-titanium lunar ilmenite"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689175":{"#nid":"689175","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tech Swarms into Athens for Clean, Old-Fashioned Computing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe in-state rivalry between the Yellow Jackets and the Bulldogs usually heats up when Georgia Tech visits the University of Georgia. However, one Saturday last month, the focus shifted from competition to collaboration.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Scientific Computing Symposium (GSCS) held its annual meeting on February 21 in Athens. Since 2009, the event has hosted researchers from across the Peach State to showcase homegrown advances in scientific computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haoningwu.github.io\/GSCS2026.html\u0022\u003EThe symposium\u003C\/a\u003E highlighted Georgia\u2019s reputation as a computing innovation hub. People from around the world come to Georgia universities to lead computing research. By advancing science, engineering, medicine, and technology, their work improves communities at home and abroad.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFaculty and students from Georgia Tech, UGA, Georgia State University, and Emory University presented at the symposium. Georgia Tech participants came from the colleges of Computing, Engineering, and Sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s organizers agreed to meet in Atlanta for the 2027 symposium. Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE)\u003C\/a\u003E will host the 19th GSCS.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFrom healthcare to computer chip design, scientific computing underpins many of the technological advances we see in our lives,\u201d said Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~echow\/\u0022\u003EEdmond Chow\u003C\/a\u003E, associate chair of the School of CSE.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cScientific computing provides the mathematical models, simulations, and data\u2011driven tools that make modern innovation possible. It allows people to analyze complex systems, test ideas virtually before building them, and make faster, more accurate decisions across nearly every sector of society.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hmzhou.math.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EHaomin Zhou\u003C\/a\u003E and Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/itshelenxu.github.io\/\u0022\u003EHelen Xu\u003C\/a\u003E delivered two of the symposium\u2019s five plenary talks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZhou presented a new method for solving the Schr\u00f6dinger equation, a landmark equation in quantum mechanics. Drawing inspiration from the mathematics used in generative artificial intelligence models, his approach develops an algorithm that more effectively simulates waves, particle motion, and other physical systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EXu focused on improving how computers move and organize data during complex calculations. Her work uses \u201ccache-friendly\u201d layouts that help computers access data more efficiently, boosting performance for scientific and engineering applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSpeaking at GSCS was a great opportunity,\u201d Xu said. \u201cThe symposium fostered connections within the scientific computing community and gave us a chance to share exciting research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe symposium showcased student work through a poster blitz and a poster session. During the blitz, 36 students each had one minute to introduce their research to the full audience. They then shared more details about their research during the poster session.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe student projects showed the range of fields supported by scientific computing. The session also provided attendees with an opportunity to connect and expand their professional networks, helping grow the field\u2019s future impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs an aerospace engineer by training and aspiring computational scientist, GSCS gave me the platform to network with other researchers in the field while showcasing my own research,\u201d said M.S. student \u003Cstrong\u003EKashvi Mundra\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI was able to connect with scientists across different disciplines whose work intersects with my own in unexpected ways. Those conversations pushed my thinking beyond my own lab\u0027s perspective, helping me see my work on physics-informed machine learning for inverse problems in a broader scientific computing context.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students who presented posters included:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbir Haque\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003EMassively Parallel Random Phase Approximation Correlation Energy via Lanczos Quadrature\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAntonio Varagnolo\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003EPhysics-Enhanced Deep Surrogates for the Phonon Boltzmann Transport Equation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBen Burns\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003EInfinite-Dimensional Stein Variational Inference with Derivative-Informed Neural Operators\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBen Wilfong\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003EShocks without Shock Capturing; Compressible Flow at 1 quadrillion Degrees of Freedom without Loss of Accuracy\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDaniel Vickers\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003EHighly-Parallel Fluid-Solid Interactions for Compressible Flows\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEric Fowler\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003EHigh-Performance Tensor Contractions in Computational Chemistry\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHaoran Yan\u003C\/strong\u003E (Math), \u003Cem\u003EUnderstanding Denoising Autoencoders through the Manifold Hypothesis: A Geometric Perspective\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKashvi Mundra\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003EAutoregressive Multifidelity Neural Surrogate Modeling under Scarce Data Regimes\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESebasti\u00e1n Guti\u00e9rrez Hern\u00e1ndez\u003C\/strong\u003E (Math\/CSE), \u003Cem\u003EPDPO: Parametric Density Path Optimization\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVivian Zhang\u003C\/strong\u003E (AE), \u003Cem\u003EMultifidelity Operator Inference: Non-Intrusive Reduced Order Modeling from Scarce Data\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EXian Mae Hadia\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003EData Efficiency of Surrogate Models: Learning Physics Data from Full Field Data vs. Inductive Bias from Approximate PDE Solvers\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EXiangming Huang\u003C\/strong\u003E (CSE), \u003Cem\u003ENeural Operator Accelerated Evolutionary Strategies for PDE-Constraint Optimization\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZhaiming Shen\u003C\/strong\u003E (Math), \u003Cem\u003EUnderstanding In-Context Learning on Structured Manifolds: Bridging Attention to Kernel Methods\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZhongjie Shi\u003C\/strong\u003E (Math), \u003Cem\u003ETowards Understanding Generalization in DP-GD: A Case Study in Training Two-Layer CNNs\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe in-state rivalry between the Yellow Jackets and the Bulldogs usually heats up when Georgia Tech visits the University of Georgia. However, one Saturday last month, the focus shifted from competition to collaboration.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Scientific Computing Symposium (GSCS) held its annual meeting on February 21 in Athens. Since 2009, the event has hosted researchers from across the Peach State to showcase homegrown advances in scientific computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haoningwu.github.io\/GSCS2026.html\u0022\u003EThe symposium\u003C\/a\u003E highlighted Georgia\u2019s reputation as a computing innovation hub. People from around the world come to Georgia universities to lead computing research. By advancing science, engineering, medicine, and technology, their work improves communities at home and abroad.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers from universities across Georgia, including Georgia Tech, set aside rivalry to collaborate at the 2026 Georgia Scientific Computing Symposium, highlighting the state\u2019s growing role as a hub for innovation in scientific computing."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-03-25 13:04:13","changed_gmt":"2026-03-25 19:41:06","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679732":{"id":"679732","type":"image","title":"GSCS-2026-Head-Image.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1774443866","gmt_created":"2026-03-25 13:04:26","changed":"1774443866","gmt_changed":"2026-03-25 13:04:26","alt":"2026 Georgia Scientific Computing Symposium","file":{"fid":"263927","name":"GSCS-2026-Head-Image.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/25\/GSCS-2026-Head-Image.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/25\/GSCS-2026-Head-Image.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":217081,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/25\/GSCS-2026-Head-Image.jpeg?itok=2Vs3GesS"}},"679733":{"id":"679733","type":"image","title":"Kashvi-Mundra-Poster.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1774443901","gmt_created":"2026-03-25 13:05:01","changed":"1774443901","gmt_changed":"2026-03-25 13:05:01","alt":"2026 Georgia Scientific Computing Symposium","file":{"fid":"263928","name":"Kashvi-Mundra-Poster.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/25\/Kashvi-Mundra-Poster.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/25\/Kashvi-Mundra-Poster.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":84134,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/25\/Kashvi-Mundra-Poster.jpeg?itok=i7BjGyOA"}}},"media_ids":["679732","679733"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/tech-swarms-athens-clean-old-fashioned-computing","title":"Tech Swarms into Athens for Clean, Old-Fashioned Computing"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"168681","name":"scientific computing"},{"id":"194970","name":"2026 Georgia Scientific Computing Symposium"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689185":{"#nid":"689185","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Find Training Gaps Impacting Maritime Cybersecurity Readiness","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhether it\u2019s a fire or a flood, a ship\u2019s crew can only rely on itself and its training in emergencies at sea. The same is true for crews facing digital threats on oil tankers, cargo ships, and other commercial vessels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENew cybersecurity research from the Georgia Institute of Technology, however, revealed that crews aboard commercial vessels were often not adequately prepared to manage cyberattacks effectively due to systemic training gaps.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe findings are based on interviews conducted by researchers with more than 20 officer-level mariners to assess the maritime industry\u2019s readiness to handle cybersecurity attacks at sea.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Historically, cybersecurity research has focused heavily on cyber-physical systems like cars, factories, and industrial plants, but ships have largely been overlooked,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/annaraymaker.dad\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnna Raymaker\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. student and lead researcher.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat gap is concerning when more than 90% of the world\u2019s goods travel by sea. Recent incidents, from GPS spoofing to ships linked to subsea cable disruptions, show that maritime systems are increasingly part of the global cyber threat landscape.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers proposed four practical strategies to strengthen maritime cyber defenses and close the training gaps. Their findings were presented recently at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sigsac.org\/ccs\/CCS2025\/call-for-papers\/\u0022\u003EACM SIGSAC Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS).\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch6\u003E1. Make Cybersecurity Training Actually Maritime\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of those interviewed for the study described current cybersecurity training as \u201cboilerplate\u201d \u2014 generic modules that don\u2019t reflect real shipboard risks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers recommend:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERole-specific instruction: Navigation officers should learn to detect and identify GPS spoofing. Engineers should focus on vulnerabilities in remotely monitored systems.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBridging IT and Operational Technology: Crews need to understand how attacks on IT systems can trigger physical consequences in operational technology \u2014 including collisions, groundings, or explosions.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHands-on delivery: Replace passive PowerPoints with drills and in-person exercises that build muscle memory.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAccessible standards: Training must account for the wide range of educational backgrounds across crews and be standardized across ranks.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch6\u003E2. Move Beyond \u201cCall IT\u201d\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt sea, crews can\u2019t simply escalate a cyber incident to a shore-based IT department and wait. Operational resilience requires onboard readiness.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers recommend:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVessel-specific response plans: Ships need clear, actionable protocols for threats such as AIS jamming or radar manipulation.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMilitary-style drills: Adopting MCON (Emission Control) exercises \u2014 used by the U.S. Military Sealift Command \u2014 can train crews to operate safely without electronic systems.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStronger connectivity controls: High-bandwidth satellite systems like Starlink introduce new risks. Clear policies and network segregation are essential to prevent new entry points for attackers.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Ch6\u003ERelated Article: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/when-gps-lies-at-sea-how-electronic-warfare-is-threatening-ships-and-their-crews-278181\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhen GPS lies at sea: How electronic warfare is threatening ships and their\u0026nbsp;crews\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E by Anna Raymaker\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Ch6\u003E3. Create Unified, Ship-Specific Regulations\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaritime cybersecurity regulations are often reactive and fragmented. Researchers argue the industry needs a cohesive, domain-specific framework.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKey recommendations include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA unified global model: Like the energy sector\u2019s NERC CIP standards, a maritime framework could mandate baseline controls such as encryption, network segmentation, and anonymous incident reporting.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERules built for real crews: Regulations designed for large naval operations don\u2019t translate well to smaller merchant or research vessels. Standards must reflect actual shipboard conditions.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFuture-proofing requirements: Autonomous ships and remotely operated vessels expand the cyber-physical attack surface. Regulations must proactively address these emerging technologies.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch6\u003E4. Invest in Maritime-Specific Cyber Research\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, the researchers stress that long-term resilience requires deeper technical research focused on maritime systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPriority areas include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReal-time intrusion detection systems tailored to shipboard protocols.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProactive security risk assessments of interconnected onboard systems.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECyber-physical modeling to better understand cascading failures in complex maritime environments.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch6\u003EThe Bottom Line\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECyber threats at sea are no longer hypothetical. Mariners report real-world incidents ranging from GPS spoofing to ransomware that disrupts global trade.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThrough our interviews with mariners, I saw firsthand how much dedication and pride they take in their work,\u201d said Raymaker. \u201cOur goal is for this research to serve as a call to action for researchers, policymakers, and industry to invest more attention in maritime cybersecurity and support the people who risk their lives every day to keep global trade, food, and energy moving.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/10.1145\/3719027.3744816\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EA Sea of Cyber Threats: Maritime Cybersecurity from the Perspective of Mariners\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ewas presented at CCS 2025. It was written by Raymaker and her colleagues, Ph.D. students \u003Cstrong\u003EAkshaya Kumar\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003EMiuyin Yong Wong\u003C\/strong\u003E, and \u003Cstrong\u003ERyan Pickren\u003C\/strong\u003E; Research Scientist \u003Cstrong\u003EAnimesh Chhotaray\u003C\/strong\u003E, Associate Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EFrank Li,\u003C\/strong\u003E Associate Professor \u003Cstrong\u003ESaman Zonouz\u003C\/strong\u003E, and Georgia Tech Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs \u003Cstrong\u003ERaheem Beyah\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearch from the Georgia Institute of Technology shows that commercial ship crews are often unprepared for cyberattacks due to inadequate, generic training, despite rising threats like GPS spoofing and ransomware. Because ships must handle incidents independently at sea, researchers recommend more practical, maritime-specific training, stronger onboard response plans, unified global cybersecurity regulations, and increased investment in ship-focused cyber research. These steps are critical to protecting maritime operations, which carry over 90% of global trade.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Research from the Georgia Institute of Technology shows that commercial ship crews are often unprepared for cyberattacks due to inadequate, generic training, despite rising threats like GPS spoofing and ransomware."}],"uid":"36253","created_gmt":"2026-03-25 16:47:20","changed_gmt":"2026-03-25 18:01:30","author":"John Popham","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679738":{"id":"679738","type":"image","title":"Cyber Navy","body":null,"created":"1774461240","gmt_created":"2026-03-25 17:54:00","changed":"1774461240","gmt_changed":"2026-03-25 17:54:00","alt":"A graphic of a boat sailing across the globe with a cyber shield at its front. ","file":{"fid":"263933","name":"AdobeStock_1936842040.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/25\/AdobeStock_1936842040.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/25\/AdobeStock_1936842040.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":50518,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/25\/AdobeStock_1936842040.jpeg?itok=CQWC0YmI"}}},"media_ids":["679738"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660367","name":"School of Cybersecurity and Privacy"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Popham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u0026nbsp;School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jpopham3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689178":{"#nid":"689178","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Recognizes Excellence with 2026 Institute Research Awards","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has announced the recipients of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/institute-research-awards\/2026\u0022\u003E2026 Institute Research Awards\u003C\/a\u003E, honoring faculty, staff, and research teams whose work has made significant scientific, technological, and societal impact. Presented by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research, the awards recognize excellence across six categories spanning innovation, mentorship, collaboration, engagement, and research program development and impact. This year\u2019s honorees reflect the breadth of Georgia Tech\u2019s research enterprise \u2014 from foundational discovery to commercialization and community partnerships \u2014 and will be recognized at the Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on April 24.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/44908\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has announced the recipients of the 2026 Institute Research Awards, recognizing faculty, staff, and research teams for excellence in innovation, mentorship, collaboration, and research impact across the Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech has named the 2026 Institute Research Award recipients, recognizing faculty, staff, and research teams whose work advances innovation, mentorship, collaboration, and societal impact across the Institute\u2019s research enterprise."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2026-03-25 14:09:24","changed_gmt":"2026-03-25 17:36:38","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679734":{"id":"679734","type":"image","title":"research-awards-2026-thumb.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003E2026 Institute Research Award Winners\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774447779","gmt_created":"2026-03-25 14:09:39","changed":"1774447779","gmt_changed":"2026-03-25 14:09:39","alt":"Banner graphic with a gold star trophy and the text \u201cInstitute Research Award Winners 2026.\u201d","file":{"fid":"263929","name":"research-awards-2026-thumb.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/25\/research-awards-2026-thumb.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/25\/research-awards-2026-thumb.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1526793,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/25\/research-awards-2026-thumb.png?itok=986wY4bh"}}},"media_ids":["679734"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688969":{"#nid":"688969","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Turning Carbon Into Chemistry","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe building blocks of proteins, amino acids are essential for all living things. Twenty different amino acids build the thousands of proteins that carry out biological tasks. While some are made naturally in our bodies, others are absorbed through the food we eat.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAmino acids also play a critical role commercially where they are manufactured and added to pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, cosmetics, animal feeds, and industrial chemicals \u2014 an energy-intensive process leading to greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and pollution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA landmark new system developed at Georgia Tech could lead to an alternative: a commercially scalable, environmentally sustainable method for amino acid production that is carbon negative, using more carbon than it emits.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe breakthrough builds on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-carbon-negative-method-produce-essential-amino-acids\u0022\u003Ea method that the team pioneered\u003C\/a\u003E in 2024 and solves a key issue \u2013 increasing efficiency to an unprecedented 97% and reducing the bioprocess cost by over 40%.\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s\u0026nbsp;the highest reported conversion of CO2 equivalents into amino acids using any synthetic biology system to date.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPublished in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EACS Synthetic Biology,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ethe study, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acssynbio.5c00352\u0022\u003ECell-Free-Based Thermophilic Biocatalyst for the Synthesis of Amino Acids From One-Carbon Feedstocks\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d was led by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/catalog.gatech.edu\/programs\/bioengineering-phd\/\u0022\u003EBioengineering\u003C\/a\u003E Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERay Westenberg\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/peralta-yahya.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProfessor Pamela Peralta-Yahya\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who holds joint appointments in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. The team also included\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EShaafique Chowdhury\u003C\/strong\u003E (Ph.D. ChBE 25) and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKimberly Wennerholm\u003C\/strong\u003E (ChBE 23)\u003Cstrong\u003E;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ealongside\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Washington\u003C\/a\u003E collaborators\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chainreaction.anl.gov\/ryan-cardiff\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERyan Cardiff\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, then a Ph.D. student and now a Chain Reaction Innovations Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory, and Charles W. H. Matthaei Endowed Professor in Chemical Engineering\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cheme.washington.edu\/facultyfinder\/james-carothers\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames M. Carothers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E; in addition to\u0026nbsp;Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Synthetic Biology Team Leader\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pnnl.gov\/people\/alex-beliaev\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlexander S. Beliaev\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022This work shifts the narrative from simply reducing carbon emissions to actually consuming them to create value,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;Peralta-Yahya.\u0026nbsp;\u201cWe are taking low-cost carbon sources and building essential ingredients in a truly carbon-negative process that is efficient, effective, and scalable.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHeat-Loving Organisms\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe work builds on the cell-free technology the team used in their earlier study. \u201cPreviously, we discovered that a system that uses the machinery of cells, without using actual living cells, could be used to create amino acids from carbon dioxide,\u201d Peralta-Yahya explains. \u201cBut to create a commercially viable system, we needed to increase the system\u2019s efficiency and reduce the cost.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team discovered that bits of leftover cells were consuming starting materials, and \u2014 like a machine with unnecessary gears or parts \u2014 this limited the system\u2019s efficiency. To optimize their \u201cmachine,\u201d the team would need to remove the extra background machinery.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022Leftover cell parts were using key resources without helping produce the amino acids we were looking for,\u201d says Peralta-Yahya. \u201cWe knew that heating the system could be one way to purify it because heat can denature these components.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe challenge was in how to protect the essential system components from the high temperatures, she adds. \u201cWe wondered if introducing enzymes produced by a heat-loving bacterium,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EMoorella thermoacetica,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Emight protect our system, while still allowing us to denature and remove that inefficient background machinery.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe results were astounding: after introducing the enzymes, heating and \u201ccleaning\u201d the system, and letting it cool to room temperature, synthesis of the amino acids serine and glycine leaped to 97% yield \u2014 nearly three times that of the team\u2019s previous system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScaling for Sustainability\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETo make the system viable for large-scale use, the team also needed to reduce costs. \u201cOne of the most costly components in this system is the cofactor tetrahydrofolate (THF),\u201d Peralta-Yahya shares. \u201cReducing the amount of THF needed to start the process was one way to make the system more inexpensive and ultimately more commercially viable.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBy linking reaction steps so waste from one step fueled the next, the team devised a method to recycle THF within the system that reduces the amount of THF needed by five-fold \u2014 lowering bioprocessing costs by 42%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis decrease in cost and increase in yield is a critical step forward in creating a method with real potential for use in industry and manufacturing,\u201d Peralta-Yahya says. \u201cThis system could pave the way for moving this carbon-negative technology out of the lab and onto the continuous, industrial scale.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: The Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E); U.S. Department of Energy; and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research Program.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acssynbio.5c00352\u0022 title=\u0022DOI URL\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acssynbio.5c00352\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have developed a breakthrough system to manufacture valuable amino acids. It\u2019s the most efficient system of its kind \u2014 and removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers have developed a breakthrough system to manufacture valuable amino acids. It\u2019s the most efficient system of its kind \u2014 and removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-03-17 16:04:13","changed_gmt":"2026-03-25 14:16:42","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679657":{"id":"679657","type":"image","title":"Amino Acids","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn illustration of a chain of amino acids forming a protein (Credit: Adobe Stock)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773763467","gmt_created":"2026-03-17 16:04:27","changed":"1773763467","gmt_changed":"2026-03-17 16:04:27","alt":"Blue and orange spirals against a light blue background.","file":{"fid":"263840","name":"AdobeStock_421110334_Preview.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/AdobeStock_421110334_Preview.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/AdobeStock_421110334_Preview.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":483310,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/17\/AdobeStock_421110334_Preview.jpeg?itok=nVtDwueb"}}},"media_ids":["679657"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"660370","name":"Space"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689157":{"#nid":"689157","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Explore New Remote Sensing Uses for Scheimpflug Principle","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn optical principle discovered more than a century ago may soon find new applications in such areas as monitoring atmospheric turbulence, tracking airborne objects, and mapping the environment, thanks to researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApplying the Scheimpflug technique, the researchers are developing inexpensive rangefinder camera technology, advanced sensors and computational techniques to both complement and provide an alternative to established light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology in certain applications. The technique works best in short- and medium-distance metrology, and can be used passively or in collaboration with laser-based techniques.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Scheimpflug technique is a complete alternative to time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR, and we\u2019re looking for everything we can do with it,\u201d said Nathan Meraz, a GTRI senior research scientist who has been refining the new applications for several years. \u201cIt measures things differently, and since it\u2019s a camera sensor, there\u2019s a lot more information to process compared to a LiDAR signal. And there are also data fusion aspects.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA paper on the technique and its potential remote sensing applications was presented during 2025 at the SPIE Defense + Commercial Systems (DCS) Conference. The research was supported by GTRI\u2019s Independent Research and Development (IRAD) program and also has been advanced by teams of student researchers from the GTRI Research Internship Program (GRIP).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\/newsroom\/researchers-explore-new-remote-sensing-uses-scheimpflug-principle\u0022\u003ESee the complete article on the GTRI news site\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn optical principle discovered more than a century ago may soon find new applications in such areas as monitoring atmospheric turbulence and mapping the environment.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"An optical principle discovered a century ago may soon find new applications in such areas as atmospheric monitoring and environmental mapping."}],"uid":"27303","created_gmt":"2026-03-24 17:49:38","changed_gmt":"2026-03-24 17:54:22","author":"John Toon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679725":{"id":"679725","type":"image","title":"Dual laser prototype highlighting the low-cost Scheimpflug optical ranging technology","body":"\u003Cp\u003EExample of a functional dual-laser prototype using 3D printed materials and off-the-shelf components, highlighting the compact low-cost paradigm exhibited by the Scheimpflug optical ranging technology for wide-domain application. (Credit: Sean McNeil, GTRI)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774373652","gmt_created":"2026-03-24 17:34:12","changed":"1774374024","gmt_changed":"2026-03-24 17:40:24","alt":"Scheimpflug optical ranging technology","file":{"fid":"263917","name":"scheimpflug_24.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/24\/scheimpflug_24.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/24\/scheimpflug_24.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1933741,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/24\/scheimpflug_24.jpg?itok=pM6Vk3As"}}},"media_ids":["679725"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["gtri.media@gtri.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689154":{"#nid":"689154","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Create First AI for Generative Polymer Design","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe words on this page mean something because they are assembled in a particular order and follow the complex rules of grammar and syntax. Creating new chemical polymers follows a similar kind of structure, with rules about what elements and groups of atoms go together and how to assemble them to make sense.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThinking about polymers in that way has led Georgia Tech materials scientists to create new generative artificial intelligence tools that are like Claude or ChatGPT for new materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are the first foundational models for generative polymer design that have also been validated through physical experiments: users specify the properties they need in a polymer and the model will suggest a chemical structure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELed by Regents\u2019 Entrepreneur \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mse.gatech.edu\/people\/rampi-ramprasad\u0022\u003ERampi Ramprasad\u003C\/a\u003E, the researchers \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s44387-026-00087-1\u0022\u003Edescribed their latest model this month in the Nature journal \u003Cem\u003Enpj Artificial Intelligence\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 including a test material they created and validated in the lab to prove the models work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/researchers-create-first-ai-generative-polymer-design\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead the full story on the College of Engineering website.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy training a model on the allowed \u201cwords\u201d and \u201cgrammar\u201d of chemistry, Georgia Tech materials scientists can design polymers based on the properties users need.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By training a model on the allowed \u201cwords\u201d and \u201cgrammar\u201d of chemistry, Georgia Tech materials scientists can design polymers based on the properties users need."}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2026-03-24 16:32:52","changed_gmt":"2026-03-24 16:35:38","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679723":{"id":"679723","type":"image","title":"polymer-generative-AI-Rampi-Ramprasad-6206-t_0.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers have created a chemical language AI model to generate new polymer structures based on the properties those polymers need to exhibit. Led by Rampi Ramprasad, standing, the team included postdoctoral scholar Wei Xiong, Ph.D. student Anagha Savit, and research scientist Harikrishna Sahu, who are seated left to right. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774369988","gmt_created":"2026-03-24 16:33:08","changed":"1774374861","gmt_changed":"2026-03-24 17:54:21","alt":"Rampi Ramprasad and three members of his research team discuss their AI model for generative polymer design in his office.","file":{"fid":"263918","name":"polymer-generative-AI-Rampi-Ramprasad-6206-t_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/24\/polymer-generative-AI-Rampi-Ramprasad-6206-t_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/24\/polymer-generative-AI-Rampi-Ramprasad-6206-t_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":960941,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/24\/polymer-generative-AI-Rampi-Ramprasad-6206-t_0.jpg?itok=LpeWtDrh"}}},"media_ids":["679723"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"193176","name":"Rampi Ramprasad"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187023","name":"go-data"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jstewart@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJoshua Stewart\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jstewart@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689114":{"#nid":"689114","#data":{"type":"news","title":"ATDC Startups Secure Rare  FDA \u2018Breakthrough Device\u2019 Status ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s\u0026nbsp;uncommon\u0026nbsp;for any startup to receive the Food and\u0026nbsp;Drug\u0026nbsp;Administration\u2019s\u202f(FDA) Breakthrough Devices\u202fdesignation.\u0026nbsp;For the\u0026nbsp;roughly 40%\u0026nbsp;of applicants who receive the designation, it\u0026nbsp;shows that\u0026nbsp;the technology has real potential to improve patient outcomes and should get priority attention from the agency.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atdc.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAdvanced Technology Development Center\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(ATDC)\u0026nbsp;in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commercialization.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOffice of Commercialization\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Eannounced two of its\u0026nbsp;health technology\u0026nbsp;(HealthTech) portfolio\u0026nbsp;companies,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nephrodite.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENephrodite\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.orthopreserve.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOrthoPreserve\u003C\/a\u003E, earned\u0026nbsp;the designation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAchieving this rare milestone\u0026nbsp;underscores\u0026nbsp;the caliber of founders, science, and support in ATDC\u2019s\u0026nbsp;30-company\u0026nbsp;HealthTech\u0026nbsp;portfolio, the incubator\u2019s largest focus\u0026nbsp;area.\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s\u0026nbsp;also a\u0026nbsp;win for\u0026nbsp;Georgia\u0026nbsp;because it\u0026nbsp;reflects\u0026nbsp;the strength of the state\u2019s\u0026nbsp;health\u0026nbsp;innovation\u0026nbsp;ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis designation is one of the strongest signals the FDA gives that\u0026nbsp;a technology\u0026nbsp;could change the\u0026nbsp;standard of care,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Greg Jungles, HealthTech catalyst at\u0026nbsp;ATDC.\u0026nbsp;\u201cFor ATDC to\u0026nbsp;have two in the same year is remarkable.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u202fBreakthrough Device\u202fProgram\u0026nbsp;doesn\u2019t\u0026nbsp;waive evidence requirements, but it\u202faccelerates learning\u202fwith the FDA, ATDC\u2019s Jungles said. \u201cThat means shorter response times,\u202fmore frequent meetings, and\u202fprioritized review. Teams avoid dead ends and align earlier on study designs and endpoints.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the founders\u0026nbsp;of both startups,\u0026nbsp;their technologies\u0026nbsp;come one step closer to moving their innovations to market.\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u2019s\u0026nbsp;technology\u0026nbsp;improves\u0026nbsp;the lives of dialysis\u0026nbsp;patients.\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;device addresses challenges faced by\u0026nbsp;those who suffer from chronic knee pain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENephrodite: Advancing Continuous Artificial Kidney Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDr. Nikhil\u0026nbsp;Shah\u0026nbsp;and Dr. Hiep Nguyen,\u0026nbsp;cofounders\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite, aim\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;improve\u0026nbsp;care for dialysis patients\u0026nbsp;with end-stage kidney disease\u0026nbsp;who need transplants. These patients\u0026nbsp;often\u0026nbsp;spend\u0026nbsp;three to four hours in a\u0026nbsp;dialysis\u0026nbsp;clinic\u0026nbsp;up to\u0026nbsp;three times a week. Being\u0026nbsp;tethered to stationary machines\u0026nbsp;with needles\u0026nbsp;drawing blood via arm grafts\u0026nbsp;complicates\u0026nbsp;everyday\u0026nbsp;activities\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;from work\u0026nbsp;tasks\u0026nbsp;to the ability to travel.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDialysis addresses chronic kidney disease, which means kidneys no longer work properly. The treatments filter out toxins,\u0026nbsp;waste, and other fluids in the blood. Kidney disease\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/kidney-disease\/ckd-facts\/index.html\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecosts Medicare\u0026nbsp;$124.5 billion\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And those costs are expected to rise because of increasing rates of kidney failure and chronic kidney disease.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDialysis, while lifesaving\u0026nbsp;when it was pioneered\u0026nbsp;in 1952, is incredibly burdensome,\u201d Shah said.\u0026nbsp;Besides being\u0026nbsp;a long process\u0026nbsp;that keeps the patient in a fixed location,\u0026nbsp;it\u2019s\u0026nbsp;physically tiring.\u0026nbsp;\u201cTaking out your blood\u0026nbsp;continually\u0026nbsp;many, many times over, and over the course of four hours\u0026nbsp;is the equivalent of running\u0026nbsp;the Boston Marathon, hitting the finish line, and then someone saying, \u2018You\u0027re not done;\u0026nbsp;go do\u0026nbsp;it again,\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u201d\u0026nbsp;he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA surgeon by training,\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;expertise\u0026nbsp;in transplantation and oncology, Shah\u0026nbsp;is also an adjunct associate professor\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing. He\u0026nbsp;worked with\u0026nbsp;Nguyen\u0026nbsp;to develop a\u0026nbsp;continuously\u0026nbsp;functioning mechanical artificial kidney, leading to\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u2019s\u0026nbsp;formation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;FDA\u2019s\u0026nbsp;breakthrough designation\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;its\u0026nbsp;artificial kidney\u0026nbsp;allows the company\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;pursue approvals to\u0026nbsp;begin tests in\u0026nbsp;human trials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe company traces its beginnings to a German aerospace facility outside Munich,\u0026nbsp;where\u0026nbsp;Nguyen and\u0026nbsp;Shah\u0026nbsp;watched engineers\u0026nbsp;demonstrate\u0026nbsp;a pediatric artificial heart\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.berlinheart.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBerlin Heart\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat\u2019s\u0026nbsp;how we got started,\u201d Shah said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cSeeing\u0026nbsp;an artificial heart that led us to\u0026nbsp;think about doing this for kidneys\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;because the kidney space has been largely ignored for 70 years.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBacked by a German federal grant,\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u0026nbsp;grew, moving from Germany to Boston, Massachusetts, then\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;Austin, Texas, before calling Atlanta home.\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;company joined\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;tapped\u0026nbsp;into other Georgia Tech programs.\u0026nbsp;This\u0026nbsp;included\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medtech.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECenter for MedTech Excellence\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gamep.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;drew on\u0026nbsp;student talent as\u0026nbsp;the researchers\u0026nbsp;quietly\u0026nbsp;worked\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;their\u0026nbsp;continuous mechanical artificial kidney.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENephrodite\u0026nbsp;began\u0026nbsp;interviewing\u0026nbsp;patients\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;find out what they wanted\u0026nbsp;the artificial kidney needed to solve.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey learned patients\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;the ability to be mobile.\u0026nbsp;Patients also\u0026nbsp;desire\u0026nbsp;an alternative\u0026nbsp;therapy to large needles being inserted into arm grafts\u0026nbsp;because the injection sites are prone to\u0026nbsp;infection\u0026nbsp;and the grafts can fail. In addition, the process\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;painful and disfiguring. Finally,\u0026nbsp;patients want\u0026nbsp;a quality of life\u0026nbsp;independent of\u0026nbsp;machines.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThose\u0026nbsp;quality-of-life\u0026nbsp;needs, especially being free and mobile,\u0026nbsp;were\u0026nbsp;absolutely universal,\u201d Shah said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENephrodite\u0026nbsp;began developing the technology to\u0026nbsp;build\u0026nbsp;its device\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;a filter surgically implanted in the pelvis area.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe developed an implant designed to run\u0026nbsp;constantly, connected to larger blood vessels\u0026nbsp;in the pelvis\u0026nbsp;to\u202favoid arm graft failures, and paired with an external interface that lets patients sleep at night while the system removes toxins and excess fluid,\u201d Shah\u0026nbsp;explained.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe device also has\u0026nbsp;built-in sensors, with\u0026nbsp;data uploaded to the cloud,\u0026nbsp;enabling\u0026nbsp;medical care teams\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;remotely\u0026nbsp;monitor\u0026nbsp;their patients\u0026nbsp;while freeing\u0026nbsp;patients from frequent\u0026nbsp;in-clinic\u0026nbsp;visits.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShah said\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u2019s\u0026nbsp;device\u0026nbsp;could restore everyday\u202findependence,\u0026nbsp;while potentially\u202flowering infection risk.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u0027s like having an actual kidney, but\u0026nbsp;without\u0026nbsp;all the issues\u0026nbsp;of an unhealthy one,\u201d Shah said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOrthoPreserve: Innovating a Minimally Invasive Meniscus Implant\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EOrthoPreserve\u2019s technology aims\u0026nbsp;to address issues\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;people have with their meniscus,\u0026nbsp;the C\u2011shaped piece of cartilage in a knee joint that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone and shin bone.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough\u0026nbsp;patients undergo a now-routine surgery to address it,\u0026nbsp;incomplete recoveries are\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;common.\u0026nbsp;An estimated\u0026nbsp;quarter\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;patients\u202flater experience\u0026nbsp;recurring knee pain.\u0026nbsp;No FDA-approved implant\u202fcurrently exists for this population.\u0026nbsp;Now,\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserveis developing a minimally invasive,\u202fartificial meniscus implant\u202fto\u202frestore cushioning,\u0026nbsp;relieve pain, and\u202fdelay\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;or even\u0026nbsp;prevent\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;knee replacement\u202ffor\u0026nbsp;some patients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere are a million meniscus\u0026nbsp;surgeries every year, and 25% of those patients still live with recurring pain,\u201d said Jonathan Schwartz,\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;founder and CEO.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPatients\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;face\u202fdaily pain\u202ffrom\u0026nbsp;ordinary activities, such as\u0026nbsp;prolonged\u0026nbsp;standing\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;walking\u0026nbsp;a dog. Other activities like\u0026nbsp;jogging and\u0026nbsp;recreational sports\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;trigger flares\u202fthat\u0026nbsp;can lead to\u0026nbsp;swelling and\u0026nbsp;prolonged\u0026nbsp;discomfort, Schwartz said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cThose patients have\u202fno\u0026nbsp;reliable\u0026nbsp;options today,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re building a minimally invasive implant to\u202frestore cushioning\u202fand help people get back to the activities they love.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrhoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;durable implant\u0026nbsp;restores cushioning, and it\u0026nbsp;could help people\u202freturn to normal activities\u0026nbsp;and\u202fdelay invasive knee replacement. Along with this comes\u0026nbsp;potential cost and recovery benefits for the healthcare\u0026nbsp;system.\u202f \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESchwartz\u202fcreated the implant as his\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/tech-alum-launches-meniscus-implant-startup\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech master\u2019s thesis\u003C\/a\u003E\u202fin the lab of\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/ku\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDavid Ku\u003C\/a\u003E\u202fin\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Lawrence P. Huang Endowed Chair for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Regents\u0027 Professor\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. After industry experience,\u0026nbsp;Schwartz\u0026nbsp;returned to\u0026nbsp;further\u0026nbsp;develop\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;technology,\u0026nbsp;building on Georgia Tech\u2019s translational\u0026nbsp;expertise\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrthoPreserve\u0026nbsp;has completed\u202fmechanical testing and a successful\u202fstudy. The company\u0026nbsp;is raising a\u202f$2 million seed\u202fto complete validations and begin human trials, which Schwartz expects to start in\u0026nbsp;18 months.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe\u0026nbsp;FDA\u0026nbsp;breakthrough designation validates that nothing like this\u0026nbsp;technology\u0026nbsp;exists,\u0026nbsp;and that it has the potential to disrupt the standard of care,\u201d Schwartz\u0026nbsp;said,\u0026nbsp;adding the\u0026nbsp;U.S.\u2019\u0026nbsp;market\u0026nbsp;opportunity\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;roughly\u0026nbsp;$1.5 billion. \u201cWe finally have a minimally invasive\u0026nbsp;option to bridge the gap between meniscus surgery and knee replacement.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat FDA Breakthrough Designation Means for\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s\u0026nbsp;HealthTech Startups\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving a\u0026nbsp;faster\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;clearer path is a\u202fderisking milestone\u202ffor investors\u0026nbsp;who are\u0026nbsp;evaluating\u0026nbsp;capital intensive\u0026nbsp;medical\u0026nbsp;device\u0026nbsp;technologies,\u0026nbsp;Jungles\u0026nbsp;said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis\u0026nbsp;breakthrough device designation is a really big deal for medical\u0026nbsp;device companies,\u201d Jungles said, adding\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;startups often fear navigating the FDA\u0026nbsp;approval\u0026nbsp;process.\u0026nbsp;\u201cBut this designation\u0026nbsp;adds to the legitimacy of their technologies\u0026nbsp;and the problemsthey are solving. The designation will help them get to market faster, assuming their data continues to meet expectations.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EATDC launched its\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atdc.org\/industry\/healthtech\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHealthTech vertical\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;in 2018,\u0026nbsp;which is\u0026nbsp;now\u0026nbsp;sponsored by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/catalyst.wellstar.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECatalyst by Wellstar\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s HealthTech\u0026nbsp;portfoilo\u0026nbsp;companies\u0026nbsp;include\u0026nbsp;medical devices, biotech, and digital health, among other segments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EATDC\u2019s Role in Accelerating HealthTech Innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENephrodite\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;founders\u0026nbsp;noted\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s\u202fcoaching\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;programming\u0026nbsp;as critical in navigating fundraising and regulatory milestones.\u0026nbsp;Another\u0026nbsp;factor, they said,\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s\u0026nbsp;connection\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;labs and facilities\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;prototyping support and clinical advisors\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;across\u0026nbsp;metro\u0026nbsp;Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe meet with ATDC coaches every two to four weeks to troubleshoot and plan,\u201d Schwartz said. \u201cHaving that level of seasoned guidance, all\u0026nbsp;without consultant-level costs,\u0026nbsp;has been huge.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJungles added\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;two\u0026nbsp;Breakthrough device\u0026nbsp;designations in the same year\u0026nbsp;reflects\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s selection rigor, noting\u0026nbsp;he\u2019s\u0026nbsp;evaluated hundreds of technologies since the HealthTech vertical launched.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt reflects the caliber\u0026nbsp;of the companies in\u0026nbsp;ATDC, specifically in the medical\u0026nbsp;device space,\u201d Jungles said. \u201cIt\u2019s the strength of their teams, the persistence of the founders, and the collaboration of the ecosystem in Georgia and Atlanta.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFDA Breakthrough Device designation is rare for health technology startups.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Milestone designation signals strong potential to reshape care for dialysis patients and those with chronic knee pain."}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2026-03-20 21:15:57","changed_gmt":"2026-03-24 15:34:46","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679705":{"id":"679705","type":"image","title":"Shah and Nguyen headshots","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDr. Nikhil\u0026nbsp;Shah\u0026nbsp;and Dr. Hiep Nguyen,\u0026nbsp;are cofounders\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite, an ATDC startup.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774043491","gmt_created":"2026-03-20 21:51:31","changed":"1774043761","gmt_changed":"2026-03-20 21:56:01","alt":"Shah and Nguyen headshots","file":{"fid":"263896","name":"Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-17.49.33.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/20\/Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-17.49.33.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/20\/Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-17.49.33.png","mime":"image\/png","size":289138,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/20\/Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-17.49.33.png?itok=tG6Q9aU1"}},"679703":{"id":"679703","type":"image","title":"Jonathan Schwartz headshot","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJonathan Schwartz,\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;founder and CEO.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774042486","gmt_created":"2026-03-20 21:34:46","changed":"1774042827","gmt_changed":"2026-03-20 21:40:27","alt":"Headshot of Jonathan Schwartz.","file":{"fid":"263894","name":"J-schwartz-headshot_W.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/20\/J-schwartz-headshot_W.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/20\/J-schwartz-headshot_W.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":514027,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/20\/J-schwartz-headshot_W.jpg?itok=fyQrz_1r"}}},"media_ids":["679705","679703"],"groups":[{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4238","name":"atdc"},{"id":"194965","name":"Greg Jungles"},{"id":"194966","name":"Catalyst by Wellstar"},{"id":"14713","name":"FDA"},{"id":"189701","name":"breakthrough device designation"},{"id":"194967","name":"Nephrodite"},{"id":"194968","name":"OrthoPreserve"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"193654","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EP\u00e9ralte C. Paul\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:peralte@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eperalte@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E404.316.1210\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689137":{"#nid":"689137","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Four Challenges to the U.S. Energy Transition","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEfficiently transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy means looking at so much more than just the technology we use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReliable energy is required to keep safe in cold winters and hot summers, making it a matter of national security. There are also vying economic policies to consider, political and financial incentives to navigate, and questions of social and economic inequality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExperts in Georgia Tech\u2019s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts examine \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/03\/us-energy-transition-challenges\u0022\u003Ethe challenges we face with the U.S. energy transition,\u003C\/a\u003E and work to help make it safe, fair, and effective for all.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChallenge No. 1: Managing National Security \u2014 with Adam N. Stulberg, professor and chair of the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChallenge No. 2: Confronting Inequality \u2014 with Bijesh Mishra, a postdoctoral scholar in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChallenge No. 3: Choosing the Right Economic Policies \u2014 with Bobby Harris, an assistant professor in the School of Economics.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChallenge No. 4: Navigating Financial and Political Incentives \u2014 with Kate Pride Brown, a sociologist in the School of History and Sociology.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/03\/us-energy-transition-challenges\u0022\u003ERead the article on the Ivan Allen College website.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EReliable energy is required to keep safe in cold winters and hot summers, making it a matter of national security. There are also vying economic policies to consider, political and financial incentives to navigate, and questions of social and economic inequality. Experts in Georgia Tech\u2019s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts examine the challenges we face with the U.S. energy transition, and work to help make it safe, fair, and effective for all.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Reliable energy is a matter of national security. There are also vying economic policies to consider, political and financial incentives to navigate, and questions of social and economic inequality to consider."}],"uid":"35766","created_gmt":"2026-03-23 18:34:56","changed_gmt":"2026-03-23 20:13:07","author":"dminardi3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679717":{"id":"679717","type":"image","title":"MERCURY--1-.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774291064","gmt_created":"2026-03-23 18:37:44","changed":"1774291064","gmt_changed":"2026-03-23 18:37:44","alt":"Power lines running through open land.","file":{"fid":"263909","name":"MERCURY--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/23\/MERCURY--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/23\/MERCURY--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1363201,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/23\/MERCURY--1-.jpg?itok=3CSxj0Wp"}}},"media_ids":["679717"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1285","name":"Sam Nunn School of International Affairs"},{"id":"1282","name":"School of Economics"},{"id":"1288","name":"School of History and Sociology"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"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:dminardi3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EDi Minardi\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dminardi3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689026":{"#nid":"689026","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Film Production Brings Temporary Disruptions to Tech Square","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech will host a film production requiring intermittent pedestrian and vehicular traffic holds as well as parking lane closures near the Historic Academy of Medicine\u202fand the George Tower | Scheller Tower\u202fbeginning\u202fSunday, March 22, and lasting through Tuesday, March 24.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAffected areas include:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAcademy of Medicine exterior spaces, parking lot, and interior spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGeorge Tower | Scheller Tower exterior spaces, adjacent parking lot, and first floor event space.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStreet parking closures on West Peachtree Street, Biltmore Place, and Fifth Street.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIntermittent pedestrian and vehicular traffic holds on Biltmore Place and Fifth Street (only on Monday, March 23).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese temporary disruptions will occur at varying times, but expect the greatest impact to occur between\u202f\u003Cstrong\u003E7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, March 23.\u003C\/strong\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlease plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time. Signage and security officers will be on-site to assist.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech will host a film production requiring\u003Cstrong\u003E\u202f\u003C\/strong\u003Eintermittent\u003Cstrong\u003E\u202f\u003C\/strong\u003Epedestrian and vehicular traffic holds as well as parking lane closures in Tech Square.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech will host a film production requiring\u202fintermittent\u202fpedestrian and vehicular traffic holds as well as parking lane closures in Tech Square."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 20:49:57","changed_gmt":"2026-03-23 16:15:51","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679683":{"id":"679683","type":"image","title":"Film-Crew-at-Work.jpg","body":null,"created":"1773869694","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 21:34:54","changed":"1773869694","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 21:34:54","alt":"Filming crew at work","file":{"fid":"263873","name":"Film-Crew-at-Work.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/Film-Crew-at-Work.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/Film-Crew-at-Work.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3103243,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/Film-Crew-at-Work.jpg?itok=rQi4Icmr"}}},"media_ids":["679683"],"groups":[{"id":"64319","name":"Administration and Finance"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003EAdam Hardy\u003Cbr\u003EFilm Logistics Project Lead\u003Cbr\u003E404.862.9377\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["thardy40@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689131":{"#nid":"689131","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EVs Can Generate Widespread Economic Benefits, New Study Says","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPutting more electric cars on the road doesn\u2019t just benefit those with enough money to buy the often-pricey vehicles, it also pushes down prices at the gas pump while strengthening U.S. energy security, according to new research from Georgia Tech\u2019s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0301421526000728?via%3Dihub\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Estudy\u003C\/a\u003E, published in \u003Cem\u003EEnergy Policy,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ewidespread adoption of electric vehicles, or EVs, by 2035 would cut energy bills for U.S. households by more than 6% \u2014 including more than 4% at the gas pump. It also would drive oil imports down by 7% and increase exports by nearly 4%, the researchers say.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, those benefits are imperiled by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/big-beautiful-bill-electric-vehicle-tax-credit\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Erepeal\u003C\/a\u003E of national electric vehicle incentives and the recent decision by the federal government to roll back EV-boosting rules meant to increase vehicle \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/business\/autos\/trump-administration-weakens-fuel-economy-rules-for-carmakers-fa9b3d71?gaa_at=eafs\u0026amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqeX57g4q9GLShBcjIFIZeRtjX7NjyDJmBolpl0vIaJEXcs32htIB52oYQz5gpc%3D\u0026amp;gaa_ts=69b1909f\u0026amp;gaa_sig=gRFDWFIG2xcnH6ClMNnf25yC7qPEZR-5AponfzV3_iaeZVKrXYWYAOKJTdGZG5b609V1RR0fH_6bm4jq4K2DHg%3D%3D\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Efuel efficiency\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-climate-change-epa-clean-air-act-c149d5ea6ec71c862e6c4b578adf92cd\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Ereduce pollution\u003C\/a\u003E, according to the study\u2019s authors, Ph.D. candidate Niraj K. Palsule; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/marilyn-a-brown\u0022\u003EMarilyn A. Brown\u003C\/a\u003E, Regents\u2019 Professor and Brook Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems; and former graduate student Suprita Chakravarthy. Their study was conducted prior to the federal decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cProponents of eliminating fuel efficiency standards and other EV-boosting policies often frame those regulatory approaches as consumer-unfriendly, but our analysis shows that such policies have many long-term benefits, both for consumers and for the nation\u2019s energy security,\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/b0a6873a-34fe-56a6-a7a1-6a4d6520620c\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EPalsule\u003C\/a\u003E said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more on the study, read the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/featured-news\/2026\/03\/-economic-benefits-of-electric-vehicles\u0022\u003Efull story\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWidespread Electric vehicle adoption would lower energy prices 6% and strengthen national energy security, according to the new study from researchers in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Widespread Electric vehicle adoption would lower energy prices 6% and strengthen national energy security, according to the new study from researchers in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy."}],"uid":"34600","created_gmt":"2026-03-23 15:50:46","changed_gmt":"2026-03-23 15:53:53","author":"mpearson34","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679711":{"id":"679711","type":"image","title":"brown-palsule-ev-research.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERegents\u0027 Professor Marilyn A. Brown and Ph.D. candidate Niraj Palsule co-authored the study.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774281065","gmt_created":"2026-03-23 15:51:05","changed":"1774281065","gmt_changed":"2026-03-23 15:51:05","alt":"Two people talking at a standing desk with a monitor and laptop.","file":{"fid":"263902","name":"brown-palsule-ev-research.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/23\/brown-palsule-ev-research.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/23\/brown-palsule-ev-research.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":134287,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/23\/brown-palsule-ev-research.jpg?itok=GWk0WRNm"}}},"media_ids":["679711"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"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\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMichael Pearson\u003C\/strong\u003E\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":""}},"689007":{"#nid":"689007","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Mobile App Turns Phones into At-Home Fetal Heart Monitors","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new mobile app will soon put the ability to monitor a baby\u2019s prenatal heartbeat in the hands of pregnant women who may worry about their baby\u2019s health in between doctor\u2019s visits.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudies show that one in five pregnant women experiences \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/perinatal-anxiety-one-in-five-women-experience-it-but-many-still-suffer-alone-before-or-after-childbirth-133667\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eperinatal anxiety\u003C\/a\u003E, which is characterized by intense negative thoughts about their pregnancy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDopFone turns any smartphone speaker into a Doppler radar by emitting a low-pitched ultrasound and detecting reflected signals of abdominal surface vibrations caused by a fetal heartbeat.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.alexandertadams.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlex Adams\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing, said he came up with the idea for DopFone as he and his wife, Elise, experienced two miscarriages. At the time, she couldn\u2019t reliably measure the fetal heart rate with a standard fetal Doppler monitor.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose experiences exposed gaps in the maternal healthcare process.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere are a lot of great devices in hospitals and clinics, but there\u2019s not much outside of those venues, even for high-risk pregnancies,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThis is about filling the gaps between checkups.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.poojitagarg.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPoojita Garg\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E joined Adams to work on DopFone while completing her master\u2019s degree at Georgia Tech. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Washington and is co-advised by Professor Swetak Patel, who earned his Ph.D. from Georgia Tech in 2008.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarg is working with the University of Washington School of Medicine to conduct DopFone\u2019s first clinical trials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarg tested DopFone on 23 patients and achieved a plus-minus of 4.9 beats per minute, well within the clinical standard range of eight beats per minute for reliable fetal heart rate measurement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdams said it measured within two beats per minute in most cases, with an error rate of less than one percent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAbout one million pregnancies in the U.S. end in miscarriage, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medicine.yale.edu\/news-article\/dr-harvey-kliman-study-finds-the-placenta-holds-answers-to-many-unexplained-pregnancy-losses\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eaccording to a study from the Yale School of Medicine\u003C\/a\u003E, and doctors know little about what causes them. Adams said that number is probably higher because many go unreported.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdams and Garg said it\u2019s unclear whether the innovation could reduce the number of miscarriages. However, consistent fetal heart rate data collection outside of the doctor\u2019s office could provide a better idea of what happens leading up to a miscarriage.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFrom there, we can take preventative action,\u201d Adams said. \u201cIf nothing else, we can give a sense of comfort to those who may be worried.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpanding Access\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile couples can purchase portable fetal heart rate monitors, Adams and Garg see DopFone as a low-cost alternative for those who live in areas with limited or inaccessible healthcare systems.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of potential for using it in what doctors like to call maternity deserts,\u201d Garg said. \u201cThese are areas where a pregnant person, at the time of delivery, would have to travel long distances to reach a hospital. This technology will be useful globally in underdeveloped areas of the world.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers also mentioned that external add-ons and attachments aren\u2019t part of their design goals. They prefer to rely on the phone\u2019s built-in features to keep the technology accessible.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe real value is that 96% of America already has the technology in their pocket, along with 60% of the world\u2019s population,\u201d Adams said. \u201cHalf of the battle is having the right tools. The more we can get from what\u2019s already in the phone, the more we can guarantee people have access to it.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENot a Substitute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome patients may feel a constant need to check their unborn child\u2019s heart rate, and Garg acknowledged that a tool like DopFone could increase that anxiety. She and Adams said a future version of the app will tell the parent if the heart rate is within a healthy range.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of tradeoffs between a tool that could provide reassurance or create anxiety,\u201d she said. \u201cWe want the use of this tool to be recommended by a doctor and for doctors and their care teams to be kept in the loop.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe also said DopFone is not meant to replace anything that is done in a clinic.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere are devices that make the whole process possible at home, but this is something that should be done in a clinic, so that\u2019s the line we want to draw,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDopFone uses smartphone speakers to emit a low-pitched ultrasound that detects reflected signals of abdominal surface vibrations caused by fetal cardiac activity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.alexandertadams.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlex Adams\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing, said he came up with the idea for DopFone as he and his wife, Elise, suffered through two miscarriages.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.poojitagarg.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPoojita Garg\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E joined Adams to work on DopFone while completing her master\u2019s at Georgia Tech. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Washington and is co-advised by Professor Swetak Patel, who earned his Ph.D. from Georgia Tech in 2008.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarg is working with the University of Washington School of Medicine to conduct DopFone\u2019s first clinical trials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarg tested DopFone on 23 patients and achieved a plus-minus of 4.9 beats per minute, well within the clinical standard for reliable fetal heart rate measurement of plus-minus 8 beats per minute.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new app will allow pregnant women to conduct an ultrasound and receive an accurate fetal heart rate from their mobile phones."}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 13:23:19","changed_gmt":"2026-03-23 13:16:06","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679666":{"id":"679666","type":"image","title":"DopFone-PR-Photo-with-blur.jpg","body":null,"created":"1773840209","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 13:23:29","changed":"1773840209","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 13:23:29","alt":"Woman holds mobile phone to the belly of a pregnant woman","file":{"fid":"263850","name":"DopFone-PR-Photo-with-blur.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/DopFone-PR-Photo-with-blur.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/DopFone-PR-Photo-with-blur.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":113510,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/DopFone-PR-Photo-with-blur.jpg?itok=A5qhfUr7"}}},"media_ids":["679666"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"181431","name":"maternal"},{"id":"7677","name":"ultrasound"},{"id":"34741","name":"mobile app"},{"id":"29561","name":"pregnancy"},{"id":"190383","name":"pregnant women"},{"id":"168908","name":"smartphone"},{"id":"188420","name":"babies"},{"id":"178046","name":"fetal monitoring"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688801":{"#nid":"688801","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Energy Day: Meeting AI\u2019s Growing Energy Demands","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\u0022\u003EEnergy Day\u003C\/a\u003E returns this year on March 19 with an expanded focus and a new collaborative momentum. Cohosted by the Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and\u0026nbsp;Systems\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IMS) and the \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(SEI) \u003C\/strong\u003Ewith plenary session support from the\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E, Energy Day 2026 convenes leaders from academia, industry, government, and students to address the challenges associated with meeting the rapidly growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESet in the heart of Tech Square on the Georgia Tech campus, this year\u2019s event explores how energy systems, materials, technologies, supply chains, and policy must evolve in response to AI\u2019s accelerating impact. As digital infrastructure expands and computation intensifies, the need for reliable, resilient, and sustainable power has never been more urgent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEnergy Day reflects Georgia Tech\u2019s strength in connecting world-class research in materials and components with the infrastructure and partnerships needed to translate discovery into scalable energy technologies that serve industry, society, and the future economy,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/people\/eric-vogel\u0022\u003EEric Vogel\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of the IMS and the Hightower Professor in Materials Science and Engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Day 2026 also marks an important milestone with the introduction of its first group of corporate sponsors:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gevernova.com\/\u0022\u003EGE Vernova\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.southerncompany.com\/\u0022\u003ESouthern Company\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.georgiapower.com\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Power\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/corporate.exxonmobil.com\/\u0022\u003EExxonMobil\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/southwirespark.com\/\u0022\u003ESouthwire Spark\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/gems-setra\/\u0022\u003EGems Setra\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tek.com\/en\u0022\u003ETektronix\u003C\/a\u003E. Their support reflects a shared commitment to advancing energy solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTektronix is excited to be part of Energy Day because advancing the future of energy starts with precise measurement and trusted insights,\u201d said Christopher Bohn, president of Tektronix. \u201cFrom power electronics and high voltage systems to grid scale renewables and AI driven control technologies, the breakthroughs discussed here directly align with the innovations we support through our products and solutions. Collaborating with Georgia Tech allows us to engage early with emerging research and the next generation of engineers\u2014critical collaborators in building a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy ecosystem.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe keynote address will be delivered by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/vanessazchan\/\u0022\u003EVanessa Z. Chan\u003C\/a\u003E, a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of\u0026nbsp;innovation, commercialization, and emerging technologies. Chan will provide insights on accelerating technological discovery, emphasizing how AI is transforming energy and materials design. She will discuss how commercialization strategies must rapidly evolve across multidisciplinary energy domains from grid modernization to advanced batteries and clean manufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding on the themes introduced in the keynote, the program transitions into a fireside chat with Georgia Tech EVPR\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/leadership\u0022\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/a\u003E featuring\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kulkarniam\/\u0022\u003EAmit Kulkarni\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/james-jim-walsh\/\u0022\u003EJim Walsh\u003C\/a\u003E. Kulkarni is vice president of Product Management and Strategy for the Gas Power business within GE Vernova, where he oversees the world\u2019s largest portfolio of power generation equipment. Walsh, vice president of GE Vernova\u2019s Consulting Services, leads teams providing innovative solutions across the full spectrum of power generation, delivery, and utilization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext comes a policy-focused panel that will explore the surge in power demand driven by AI, how the United States is addressing today\u2019s most urgent energy challenges, and the long-term implications of today\u2019s decisions for a sustainable energy future. Bringing together leading voices in U.S. environmental and energy policy, the panel features\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/joseph-aldy-0794942\/\u0022\u003EJoe Aldy\u003C\/a\u003E of Harvard University and former special assistant to the president for Energy and Environment;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/al-mcgartland-161689a\/\u0022\u003EAl McGartland\u003C\/a\u003E of New York University\u2019s Institute for Policy Integrity and former Environmental Protection Agency lead economist and director of the National Center for Environmental Economics; and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kevinrennert\/\u0022\u003EKevin Rennert\u003C\/a\u003E, fellow and director of the Comprehensive Climate Strategies Program at Resources for the Future and former staff member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second panel focuses on critical materials \u2014 the foundation of advanced energy systems and digital technologies. As AI, data centers, and advanced energy technologies drive demand for critical materials, securing them now requires integration and coordination across the entire value chain. Panelists include \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/people\/rachel-galloway\u0022 id=\u0022menur1su2\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/people\/rachel-galloway\u0022\u003ERachel Galloway\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;British consul general in Atlanta;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/vijaymurugesan\/\u0022\u003EVijay Murugesan\u003C\/a\u003E, head of Materials Intelligence and Digital Innovation at Amazon; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/colinspellmeyer\/?utm_source=share_via\u0026amp;utm_content=profile\u0026amp;utm_medium=member_ios\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/colinspellmeyer\/?utm_source=share_via\u0026amp;utm_content=profile\u0026amp;utm_medium=member_ios\u0022\u003EColin Spellmeyer\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;executive strategic sourcing leader at GE Vernova; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haslam.utk.edu\/people\/profile\/charles-sims\/\u0022\u003ECharles Sims\u003C\/a\u003E, Tennessee Valley Authority Distinguished Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Tennessee; and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nnnyeboah\/\u0022 id=\u0022menur1sua\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nnnyeboah\/\u0022\u003ENortey Yeboah\u003C\/a\u003E, principal engineer at Southern Company. Together, they will offer perspectives on the policy and economic frameworks shaping the energy supply chain, from developing raw resources to manufacturing the technologies essential to future energy systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the afternoon, participants can dive deeper into specialized topics through three focused technical tracks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\/track1_meet_demand_for_power\u0022\u003EMeeting the Demand for Power\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d will examine how emerging technologies, advanced nuclear systems, and renewable integration can work together to deliver reliable, resilient electricity.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\/track2-data-center-infrastructure-and-resources\u0022\u003EData Center Infrastructure and Resources\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d will explore innovations in thermal management technologies, energy-efficient computing, and the broader resource impacts of expanding digital infrastructure.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\/track3-grid-technologies-and-markets\u0022\u003EGrid Technologies and Markets\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d will highlight strategies for strengthening grid capacity, incorporating demand-side management, and optimizing carbon performance as energy systems evolve.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMeeting the rapidly rising electricity demand driven by AI requires bold ideas, coordinated action, and research that moves at the speed of innovation,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of the SEI. \u201cEnergy Day 2026 brings together the people and expertise needed to shape resilient, sustainable energy systems for the future. At Georgia Tech, we see this event as a catalyst for new partnerships, new solutions, and a shared commitment to strengthening the nation\u2019s energy foundation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Day 2026 is designed for researchers advancing emerging energy technologies, policymakers navigating shifting regulatory and geopolitical landscapes, industry professionals seeking insight into emerging tools and supply chains, and students preparing to enter one of the most consequential sectors of the decade. It also welcomes anyone interested in AI, sustainability, electrification, and critical materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin us to explore the future of energy. To learn more and register, visit:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\u0022 target=\u0022_new\u0022\u003EEnergy Day 2026\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energyday\u0022\u003EEnergy Day\u003C\/a\u003E returns this year on March 19 with an expanded focus and a new collaborative momentum. Cohosted by the Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and\u0026nbsp;Systems\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IMS) and the \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(SEI) with plenary session support from the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E, Energy Day 2026 convenes leaders from academia, industry, government, and students to address the challenges associated with meeting the rapidly growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Join us on March 19 as we explore one of the most urgent questions facing the nation: How do we power an AI\u2011driven future?"}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-03-06 20:46:52","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 16:57:12","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679541":{"id":"679541","type":"image","title":"EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772830025","gmt_created":"2026-03-06 20:47:05","changed":"1772830025","gmt_changed":"2026-03-06 20:47:05","alt":"Georgia Tech Energy Day 2026 Header Image with three boxes showing an image of a datacenter, an electric bulb with energy sources around it and a multi-colored critical mineral ","file":{"fid":"263714","name":"EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/06\/EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/06\/EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":147447,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/06\/EnergyDayEmailHeader.jpg?itok=i6baP0eA"}}},"media_ids":["679541"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"194607","name":"Batteries"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E | Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688798":{"#nid":"688798","#data":{"type":"news","title":"$8.9 Million Approved for Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia\u2019s forest industry has long been a pillar of the state\u2019s rural economy. But in recent years, mill closures and shifting markets have put pressure on landowners, workers, and entire communities, particularly in south Georgia. A recently approved $8.9 million \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatrees.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Forestry-Task-Force-Report-FINAL.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Forestry Innovation Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E will help chart a new path forward, creating more value from Georgia\u2019s abundant forest resources and expanding opportunities for the people and regions depending on them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is pleased to partner with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatrees.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Forestry Commission\u003C\/a\u003E on the approved $8.9 million Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative included in Gov. Brian Kemp\u2019s amended FY 2026 budget. This effort aims to transform low-value wood and mill byproducts into high-value materials, strengthening Georgia\u2019s forest-based economy and supporting new commercial opportunities across the state. The initiative will establish pilot facilities and accelerate technology to business transfer in partnership with industry, with the long-term goal of enabling multiple manufacturing sites across Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe appreciate the state\u2019s investment in helping move these innovations from the lab to Georgia businesses,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2863\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECarson Meredith\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/renewablebioproducts.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERenewable Bioproducts Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (RBI). \u201cWe also acknowledge the critical support of industry collaborators and partners like the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gfagrow.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Forestry Association\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gffgrow.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Forestry Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe work builds on collaborative interdisciplinary research at Georgia Tech involving \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E Professors \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/andreas-bommarius\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAndreas Bommarius\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/christopher-luettgen\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChris Luettgen\u003C\/a\u003E and Meredith; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/stefan-france\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EStefan France\u003C\/a\u003E and Professor of the Practice \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/anthony-j-bo-arduengo\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EA.J. \u201cBo\u201d Arduengo\u003C\/a\u003E; and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial Systems and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/valerie-thomas\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EValerie Thomas\u003C\/a\u003E. Gary Black, RBI program manager, has also contributed to this effort. It is led by RBI\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rbi1.gatech.edu\/research\/center-for-renewables-based-economy-from-wood\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECenter for a Renewables-Based Economy from Wood\u003C\/a\u003E (ReWOOD.) The effort reflects years of cross-disciplinary collaboration among faculty and staff committed to advancing sustainable, wood-based technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is pleased to partner with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatrees.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Forestry Commission\u003C\/a\u003E on the approved $8.9 million Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative included in Gov. Brian Kemp\u2019s amended FY 2026 budget. This effort aims to transform low-value wood and mill byproducts into high-value materials, strengthening Georgia\u2019s forest-based economy and supporting new commercial opportunities across the state.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is pleased to partner with the Georgia Forestry Commission on the approved $8.9 million Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative included in Gov. Brian Kemp\u2019s amended FY 2026 budget. "}],"uid":"36757","created_gmt":"2026-03-06 17:18:30","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 13:02:58","author":"ychernet3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679569":{"id":"679569","type":"image","title":"georgia-forest.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is pleased to partner with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatrees.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Forestry Commission\u003C\/a\u003E on the approved $8.9 million Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative included in Gov. Brian Kemp\u2019s amended FY 2026 budget.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773166846","gmt_created":"2026-03-10 18:20:46","changed":"1773166846","gmt_changed":"2026-03-10 18:20:46","alt":"Tall pine trees in a sunlit forest with dense green grasses and undergrowth covering the forest floor.","file":{"fid":"263745","name":"georgia-forest.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/10\/georgia-forest.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/10\/georgia-forest.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1769985,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/10\/georgia-forest.jpeg?itok=tKeLvrC4"}}},"media_ids":["679569"],"groups":[{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EJennifer Martin\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jennifer.martin@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ejennifer.martin@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688758":{"#nid":"688758","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Target the Tumor. Spare the Body.","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher Nick Housley is developing a drug\u2011delivery system designed to send cancer treatments directly to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. His team\u2019s approach uses self\u2011assembling nanohydrogels (SANGs) that circulate through the body, remain inactive in healthy environments, and release their drug payload only when they encounter the unique chemical conditions created by tumors. This \u201ccancer\u2011agnostic\u201d strategy avoids the pitfalls of traditional targeted therapies, which can lose effectiveness as tumors evolve, and aims to reduce the harsh side effects patients often endure. Early preclinical results show that the nanohydrogels successfully concentrated drugs at tumor sites, and Housley\u2019s team is now preparing for broader testing to move the technology toward clinical trials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/45127\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech researcher is working to send cancer drugs to tumors \u2014 and avoid healthy tissue."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher Nick Housley is developing a drug\u2011delivery system designed to send cancer treatments directly to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Early preclinical results show that the nanohydrogels successfully concentrated drugs at tumor sites, and Housley\u2019s team is now preparing for broader testing to move the technology toward clinical trials.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Housley and his team are developing self\u2011assembling nanohydrogels that deliver cancer drugs only when they reach tumor\u2011specific conditions, aiming to reduce side effects and make treatment more precise across multiple cancer types."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2026-03-05 23:19:22","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 13:02:20","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679537":{"id":"679537","type":"image","title":"20260226-Cancer-Delivery-System-Story-6.jpg","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENick Housley\u2019s latest advancement is a drug\u2011delivery system called SANGs, short for \u201cself\u2011assembling nanohydrogels.\u201d As these nanohydrogels move through the body, they keep the cancer\u2011fighting drug contained, passing through healthy tissue without releasing medicine. When they encounter the unique conditions created by a tumor, they remain in that environment and release the drug precisely where it\u2019s needed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1772752775","gmt_created":"2026-03-05 23:19:35","changed":"1772752775","gmt_changed":"2026-03-05 23:19:35","alt":"A person wearing a blue lab coat stands with arms crossed in a laboratory filled with shelves of scientific equipment, supplies, and a refrigerator unit in the background.","file":{"fid":"263710","name":"20260226-Cancer-Delivery-System-Story-6.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/05\/20260226-Cancer-Delivery-System-Story-6.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/05\/20260226-Cancer-Delivery-System-Story-6.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":14461101,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/05\/20260226-Cancer-Delivery-System-Story-6.jpg?itok=hcwCBuaP"}}},"media_ids":["679537"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688806":{"#nid":"688806","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Effective Carbon Removal Requires Transparency, Says New Georgia Tech Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECarbon dioxide continues to push global temperatures toward dangerous thresholds that affect everything from public health to economies. To mitigate these effects, researchers are looking into carbon removal methods such as direct air capture machines that can chemically bind with carbon or simple ecological strategies like adding trees to unwooded areas. These approaches could potentially supplement the decarbonization of transport, industry, and the energy system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut as carbon removal grows, so does a core problem: The carbon removal industry is largely unregulated, particularly for more novel technologies without long-standing norms around reporting and verification. In today\u2019s \u201cvoluntary carbon market,\u201d a private company can claim it removed a certain amount of carbon, list that amount for sale, and allow another company to buy it to offset its emissions \u2014 with little independent oversight or transparency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new \u003Cem\u003ENature NPJ Climate Action\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s44168-025-00324-4#additional-information\u0022\u003Earticle\u003C\/a\u003E argues that this system isn\u2019t enough to meet global climate goals, and could even end up causing harm. In the paper, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/chris-reinhard\u0022\u003EChris Reinhard\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;Georgia Power Chair and associate professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, and Noah Planavsky of the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture call for a fundamental shift: Carbon removal should be quantifiable, economically viable, and pursued in ways that create benefits for local communities \u2014 and greater transparency in carbon removal practice is necessary.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe argue that it\u2019s important to understand and quantify carbon removal practices that can benefit local communities, like better crop yields, and that this understanding is really only possible if these practices are pursued transparently,\u201d Reinhard said. \u201cThe data used to quantify carbon removal and how much it costs need to be transparent \u2014 the surest route toward learning what works and building public trust in carbon removal as a solution.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETransparency Trouble\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReinhard and Planavsky bring a unique technical and policy perspective to the issue. As geochemists, they study how Earth\u2019s chemical composition and geological processes control the carbon cycle. Reinhard also co-founded a carbon removal startup he has since divested from. That insider experience and academic background helped them see the disconnect between what\u2019s technologically possible and what market logic culturally or commercially incentivizes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday\u2019s carbon removal startups often guard their methods and data as proprietary intellectual property. Without regulatory requirements or pressure from corporate carbon buyers, these startups have little reason to disclose carbon accounting practices, cost structures, or actual long-term impacts. The researchers argue that policy guidance and advocacy are needed to shift the industry toward meaningful openness.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur expertise is most firmly grounded in the technical dimensions of these carbon removal processes,\u201d Reinhard said, \u201cbut we saw an opportunity here to push for better policy and start this dialogue about what transparency really means, in part to foster more public debate about what carbon removal ought to be doing for society.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommunity Beyond Carbon\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe authors also stress that carbon removal should deliver benefits beyond atmospheric cleanup that communities can see and advocate for. For example, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/farming-future-planet-how-liming-could-be-key-carbon-removal\u0022\u003Eliming\u003C\/a\u003E, or adding limestone to soil, can remove carbon while also improving crop yields and reducing erosion. Coastal ecosystem\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/fixing-flooding\u0022\u003Erestoration\u003C\/a\u003E can\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/mitigating-climate-change-through-restoration-coastal-ecosystems\u0022\u003Esequester carbon\u003C\/a\u003E while strengthening shorelines and supporting fisheries. Georgia Tech\u2019s own\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/direct-air-capture\u0022\u003Edirect air capture work\u003C\/a\u003E builds community engagement into the process to ensure that carbon removal is equitable.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReinhard and Planavsky say the next best step for the carbon removal industry is to identify which removal pathways offer the clearest benefits, what they cost, and where transparency gaps are most damaging. This foundation will help create policies that make carbon removal reliable, verifiable, and community-centered.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWithout oversight, they argue, carbon removal risks remaining a niche, market-defined practice \u2014 when the climate challenge demands a trusted, scalable, and democratically governed solution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECITATION: Reinhard, C.T., Planavsky, N.J. The importance of radical transparency for responsible carbon dioxide removal. \u003Cem\u003Enpj Clim. Action\u003C\/em\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003E5\u003C\/strong\u003E, 7 (2026). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s44168-025-00324-4\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe researchers suggest that carbon removal can have clear benefits on the road to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it needs more oversight to be responsibly adopted at large scales.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The researchers suggest that carbon removal can have clear benefits on the road to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it needs more oversight to be responsibly adopted at large scales."}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-03-09 13:52:38","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 13:01:54","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679553":{"id":"679553","type":"image","title":"Smole Stack from Adobe","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAdobeStock_480044761\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773075283","gmt_created":"2026-03-09 16:54:43","changed":"1773075368","gmt_changed":"2026-03-09 16:56:08","alt":"Smoke stack billowing smke","file":{"fid":"263728","name":"smoke-stack-adobeimage.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/09\/smoke-stack-adobeimage.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/09\/smoke-stack-adobeimage.png","mime":"image\/png","size":726512,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/09\/smoke-stack-adobeimage.png?itok=gzc0xV-8"}}},"media_ids":["679553"],"groups":[{"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":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:tess.malone@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ETess Malone\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Research Writer\/Editor\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688556":{"#nid":"688556","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Space Startups Take Off at Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s faculty startup engine\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/quadrant-i.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EQuadrant-i\u003C\/a\u003E, together with the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/space.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESpace Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SRI), launched the first cohort of the CreationsVC Space Fellows Program. Funded by space technology venture capital firm\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/creations.vc\/\u0022\u003ECreationsVC\u003C\/a\u003E, the program enables faculty to explore promising early-stage innovations and their potential for future commercial impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis first set of CreationsVC Fellows offers an exciting cross-section of innovative hardware and software technologies built on Georgia Tech\u2019s legacy of space exploration, hardware development, and product commercialization,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/w-jud-ready\u0022\u003EJud Ready\u003C\/a\u003E, SRI executive director.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the first year of the three-year program, CreationsVC provides $125,000 to promote and accelerate innovations that have both space and terrestrial applications. The series offers participants training focused on customer discovery, engaging and compelling storytelling, value proposition design and quantification, and lean\/agile project\/product management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCreationsVC is centered on a deep appreciation for innovation and big thinking,\u201d said Steve Braverman, co-founder and managing partner of CreationsVC. \u201cWe felt this was the right time to align our efforts in sourcing and supporting dual-value technologies that will have an impact on both Earth and space.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe six startups tackle real-world space research problems like supply chain management, how artificial intelligence works in space, and navigation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are excited CreationsVC is providing us with an opportunity to try new approaches to accelerate deep tech development,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/jonathan-goldman\u0022\u003EJonathan Goldman\u003C\/a\u003E, Quadrant-i\u2019s director.\u0026nbsp;\u201cThese are the toughest kinds of startups to build, and we look forward to the learning we will gain from forcing our innovators out of their comfort zones to embrace some new and valuable skills.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMeet the cohort:\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompany: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cimtech.ai\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECIMTech.ai\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFounders:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/shimeng-yu\u0022\u003EShimeng Yu\u003C\/a\u003E, James Read\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ECE)\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EObjective: \u003C\/strong\u003ETo develop energy-efficient, radiation-tolerant artificial intelligence processors using a persistent type of ferroelectric memory. The startup aims to improve applications requiring high power efficiency, such as battery-powered devices and space-based systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Q-i: \u201c\u003C\/strong\u003EThe advantage of Q-i is in helping technical founders turn their research into products that solve customers\u2019 problems,\u201d noted James Read. \u201cFor us, that means talking with potential customers and hearing their pain points directly from the source. Now we\u2019re use that information to build a convincing narrative around our startup\u2019s value for stakeholders and investors.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompany: SkyCT\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFounders\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/morris-b-cohen\u0022\u003EMorris Cohen,\u003C\/a\u003E Matthew Strong\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool:\u003C\/strong\u003E ECE\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EObjective:\u003C\/strong\u003E To provide\u0026nbsp;up-to-date mapping of the electrical properties of the upper atmosphere, with applications to GPS-free navigation, long-range communication, and satellite and launch vehicle viability.\u0026nbsp;The startup uses the radio energy released by lightning strikes to create this map.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Q-i: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u201cThis weird region about 50 miles up from Earth\u2019s surface is both really hard to track and measure, and also impacts a surprising array of applications,\u201d said Cohen. \u201cIt\u2019s sometimes called the `ignorosphere\u2019 because of how difficult it is to measure, and it\u2019s time we change that.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompany: Penumbra Autonomy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFounders:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/panagiotis-tsiotras\u0022\u003EPanagiotis Tsiotras,\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jdflorez\/\u0022\u003EJuan Diego Florez-Castillo\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/iasonvelentzas\/\u0022\u003EIason Velentzas\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (AE)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EObjective:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003ETo commercialize algorithms that help spacecraft maneuver when they have limited information on their environment. The algorithms use state-of-the-art computer vision and localization techniques. This could benefit manufacturing, assembly, and refueling in orbit, as well as enable monitoring, situational awareness, and debris removal.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Q-i: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u201cThe program offers a conduit to entrepreneurship opportunities and spinoff companies in the space domain by providing guidance and commercialization \u2018know-how,\u2019\u201d said Panagiotis\u0026nbsp;Tsiotras.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompany: TerraMorph\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFounders:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/yashwanth-kumar-nakka\u0022\u003EYashwanth Kumar Nakka\u003C\/a\u003E, Sadhana Kumar, Vincent Griffo, Sachin Kelkar\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool:\u003C\/strong\u003E AE\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EObjective:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;To create an autonomous rover platform with adaptive, reconfigurable mobility. The rover will implement software and sensing algorithms to automatically detect terrain type and improve traction and energy usage. This could be used on the moon or Mars, or even terrestrial search and rescue.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Q-i: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u201cTerraMorph\u0026nbsp;was developed to address fundamental challenges in mobility and autonomy across uncertain\u0026nbsp;terrain, \u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;successfully translating that work into impact requires creative guidance, critical feedback, and experienced perspectives beyond the lab,\u201d said Yashwanth Kumar Nakka. \u201cQ-i\u2019s culture of leading by example and fostering strong, ethical teams aligns closely with how we want to build\u0026nbsp;TerraMorph: iteratively, thoughtfully, and with a focus on real-world deployment.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompany: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/openwerks.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOpenWerks\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFounders:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/shreyes-melkote\u0022\u003EShreyes Melkote\u003C\/a\u003E, Mike Yan\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EObjective:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;To deliver real-time manufacturing supply chain visibility for the space and national security industries. OpenWerks technology aims to dramatically reduce current sourcing cycles from eight months down to weeks by connecting corporate buyers directly with verified supplier manufacturing capability and capacity data.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Q-i:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u201cFrom the very beginning, principals at VentureLab and\u0026nbsp; Q-i offered a clear pathway to translate academic research into a viable business,\u201d said Mike Yan. \u201cTheir reputation for guiding Georgia Tech startups through both business and technology derisking, combined with their comprehensive ecosystem of programs and coaches, made them the natural partner for our entrepreneurial journey.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompany: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.8seven8.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E8Seven8\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFounders:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/chandra-raman\u0022\u003EChandra Raman\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EObjective:\u003C\/strong\u003E To manufacture quantum hardware in Georgia. 8Seven8 aims to put high-precision atomic clocks and gyroscopes on a chip for applications ranging from aircraft navigation to industrial automation. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Q-i:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u201cThey have mentored me and my students through the commercialization process, providing opportunities such as the Space Fellows Cohort,\u201d Chandra Raman said. \u201cOne of my former students, Alexandra Crawford, gained valuable business experience through a Q-i entrepreneur\u2019s assistantship, and is now working at 8Seven8 full-time. They have also guided me through the process of obtaining funding through the Georgia Research Alliance for our commercialization effort.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThese six faculty- and student-led startups will tackle space innovations with terrestrial applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"These six faculty- and student-led startups will tackle space innovations with terrestrial applications. "}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-02-26 20:51:28","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 13:01:10","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679462":{"id":"679462","type":"image","title":"Nasa.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPhoto courtesy of NASA\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772139109","gmt_created":"2026-02-26 20:51:49","changed":"1772139109","gmt_changed":"2026-02-26 20:51:49","alt":"Northrop Grumman\u0027s Cygnus XL cargo craft approaches the International Space Station","file":{"fid":"263626","name":"Nasa.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/26\/Nasa.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/26\/Nasa.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":315029,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/26\/Nasa.jpg?itok=Nz3pjuAT"}}},"media_ids":["679462"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"194610","name":"National Interests\/National Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:tess.malone@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ETess Malone\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Research Writer\/Editor\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687527":{"#nid":"687527","#data":{"type":"news","title":"All-Powerful AI Isn\u2019t an Existential Threat, According to New Georgia Tech Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEver since ChatGPT\u2019s debut in 2023, concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) potentially wiping out humanity have dominated\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/safe.ai\/work\/press-release-ai-risk\u0022\u003Eheadlines\u003C\/a\u003E. New research from Georgia Tech suggests that those anxieties are misplaced.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cComputer scientists often aren\u2019t good judges of the social and political implications of technology,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/milton-mueller\u0022\u003EMilton Mueller\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThey are so focused on the AI\u2019s mechanisms and are overwhelmed by its success, but they are not very good at placing it into a social and historical context.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the four decades Mueller has studied information technology policy, he has never seen any technology hailed as a harbinger of doom \u2014\u0026nbsp;until now. So, in a \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Cyber Policy\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/23738871.2025.2597194#abstract\u0022\u003Epaper\u003C\/a\u003E published late last year, he researched whether the existential AI threat was a real possibility.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat Mueller found is that deciding how far AI can go, and its limitations, is something society shapes. How policymakers get involved depends on the specific AI application.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDefining Intelligence\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe AI sparking all this alarm is called artificial general intelligence (AGI) \u2014 a \u201csuperintelligence\u201d that would be all-powerful and fully autonomous.\u0026nbsp;Part of the debate, Mueller realized, is that no one could agree on the definition of what artificial general intelligence is.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome computer scientists claim AGI would match human intelligence, while others argue it could surpass it. Both assumptions hinge on what \u201chuman intelligence\u201d really means. Today\u2019s AI is already better than humans at performing thousands of calculations in an instant, but that doesn\u2019t make it creative or capable of complex problem-solving.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnderstanding Independence\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeciding on the definition isn\u2019t the only issue.\u0026nbsp;Many computer scientists assume that as computing power grows, AI could eventually overtake humans and act autonomously.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMueller argued that this assumption is misguided.\u0026nbsp;AI is always directed or trained toward a goal and doesn\u2019t act autonomously right now. Think of the prompt you type into ChatGPT to start a conversation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen AI seems to disregard instructions, it\u2019s caused by inconsistencies in its instructions, not by the machine coming alive. For example, in a boat race video game Mueller studied, the AI discovered it could get more points by circling the course instead of winning the race against other challengers. This was a glitch in the system\u2019s reward structure, not AGI autonomy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAlignment gaps happen in all kinds of contexts, not just AI,\u201d Mueller said. \u201cI\u0027ve studied so many regulatory systems where we try to regulate an industry, and some clever people discover ways that they can fulfill the rules but also do bad things. But if the machine is doing something wrong, computer scientists can reprogram it to fix the problem.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERelying on Regulation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn its current form, even misaligned AI can be corrected. Misalignment also doesn\u2019t mean the AI would snowball past the point where humans lose control of its outcomes. To do that, AI would need to have a physical capability, like robots, to do its bidding, and the power source and infrastructure to maintain itself. A mere data center couldn\u2019t do that and would need human intervention to become omnipotent. Basic laws of physics \u2014 how big a machine can be, how much it can compute \u2014 would also prevent a super AI.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore importantly, AI is not one homogenous being. Mueller argued that different applications involve different laws, regulations, and social institutions. For example, the data scraping AI does is a copyright issue subject to copyright laws. AI used in medicine can be overseen by the Food and Drug Administration, regulated drug companies, and medical professionals. These are just a few areas where policymakers could intervene from a specific expertise level instead of trying to create universal AI regulations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe real challenge isn\u2019t stopping an AI apocalypse \u2014 it\u2019s crafting smart, sector-specific policies that keep technology aligned with human values.\u0026nbsp;To avoid being a victim of AI, humans can, and should, put up focused guardrails.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe study suggests that the fear of AI destroying society distracts from real policy interventions to better control computing applications.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The study suggests that the fear of AI destroying society distracts from real policy interventions to better control computing applications."}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-01-20 22:19:23","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:57:11","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-20T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-20T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679043":{"id":"679043","type":"image","title":"GIGconference_MMatPodium2.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMilton Mueller speaking at the AI Governance and Global Economic Development, an o\ufb03cial pre-summit event of the AI Impact Summit 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768947605","gmt_created":"2026-01-20 22:20:05","changed":"1768947605","gmt_changed":"2026-01-20 22:20:05","alt":"Milton at podium","file":{"fid":"263155","name":"GIGconference_MMatPodium2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/20\/GIGconference_MMatPodium2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/20\/GIGconference_MMatPodium2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1326513,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/20\/GIGconference_MMatPodium2.jpg?itok=S07ycvKV"}}},"media_ids":["679043"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187023","name":"go-data"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Research Writer\/Editor\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:tess.malone@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688528":{"#nid":"688528","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Safe Artificial Intelligence Isn\u2019t Enough, According to New Georgia Tech Research ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence (AI) loves to cheat. When matched against a chess bot, an OpenAI model preferred hacking into its opponent\u2019s system to winning the game fairly, according to a recent\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/time.com\/7259395\/ai-chess-cheating-palisade-research\/\u0022\u003Estudy\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile chess doesn\u2019t have moral stakes, more serious ethical issues could arise in everything from medicine to self-driving cars as AI becomes even more pervasive. So, what does it mean for AI to be safe?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNo one is saying developing safe AI will be easy, but we need to make sure we cover as many ethical concerns as possible,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tylercookphd.com\/\u0022\u003ETyler Cook\u003C\/a\u003E, a research affiliate at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and assistant program director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ailearning.emory.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECenter for AI Learning\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at Emory University. \u201cHumans also care about being treated fairly. We care about not being deceived. We should aim for much more than safety.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI is too complex for simple guardrails, Cook argues in a recent \u003Cem\u003EScience and Engineering Ethics\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/philpapers.org\/rec\/COOACF-3\u0022\u003Epaper\u003C\/a\u003E. But AI still needs to be limited and incorporated with human values of fairness, honesty, and transparency so it doesn\u2019t make ethically dubious decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI is not just a problem to manage. It\u2019s a technology whose impact depends on the values we choose to build in it, Cook claims. Developers must think carefully about the world their systems will shape. AI shouldn\u2019t make our world, but instead integrate into it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESafe vs. Autonomous AI\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome computer scientists would say \u201csafe\u201d AI, or AI that doesn\u2019t cause harm, is the answer. But AI is not a simple machine like a lawnmower that needs just a blade guard to prevent harm.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEstablishing AI safety is more complex than adding protective features. Being prudent with how much autonomy AI gets is also paramount.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe don\u0027t want AI systems deciding that they don\u0027t want to pursue fairness anymore,\u201d Cook said. \u201cWe don\u0027t want AI to be autonomous with respect to its ethical goals or values.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuch ethical autonomy\u0026nbsp;could lead to unpredictable or undesirable outcomes. Consider algorithmic bias: Human biases, combined with machine automation, can lead to unequal consequences. An AI mortgage lender could favor certain applicant demographics over others, for example.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECook posits there is a middle ground between merely safe AI and autonomous ethical AI \u2014 \u201cend-constrained ethical AI.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs designers of AI systems, computer scientists should choose what we want the AI to prioritize: fairness, honesty, transparency,\u201d Cook said. \u201cThat\u0027s why I use the language of constraint. We\u0027re constraining the AI\u2019s values so they can actually benefit society.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnd\u2011constrained ethical AI asks designers to set those boundaries intentionally, not as an afterthought. And if developers take that responsibility seriously, AI doesn\u2019t have to reinvent our world \u2014 it can strengthen the one we already have.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11948-025-00577-6\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EA Case for End-Constrained Ethical Artificial Intelligence\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0022 \u003Cem\u003EScience and Engineering Ethics \u003C\/em\u003E32.7 (2026).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDOI: 10.1007\/s11948-025-00577-6\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFairness, honesty, and transparency are needed in AI for it to benefit humanity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Fairness, honesty, and transparency are needed in AI for it to benefit humanity. "}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-02-25 20:09:25","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:56:26","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679437":{"id":"679437","type":"image","title":"TylerCook.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETyler Cook is a research affiliate at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and assistant program director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ailearning.emory.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECenter for AI Learning\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at Emory University.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772050249","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 20:10:49","changed":"1772050249","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 20:10:49","alt":"Tyler Cook","file":{"fid":"263600","name":"TylerCook.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/TylerCook.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/TylerCook.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":10662433,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/TylerCook.jpeg?itok=Klp1uhgX"}}},"media_ids":["679437"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687586":{"#nid":"687586","#data":{"type":"news","title":"AI Tool Turns Disaster Zones Into Living Classrooms","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn AI-powered tool is changing how researchers study disasters and how students learn from them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlas.gatech.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular\u0026amp;id=10139\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInternational Disaster Reconnaissance (IDR) course\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, students now use \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.filio.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFilio\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a platform built by School of Computing Instruction Senior Lecturer \u003Cstrong\u003EMax Mahdi Roozbahani\u003C\/strong\u003E, to capture immersive 360\u00b0 media, photos, and video that transform real disaster sites in India and Nepal into living digital classrooms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOffered by the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and taught by IDR director and Regents\u2019 Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EDavid Frost\u003C\/strong\u003E, the course pairs traditional fieldwork with Roozbahani\u2019s expertise in immersive technology and data-driven learning, transforming on-the-ground observations into reusable, interactive educational resources.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow Computing Can Capture Data\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDisasters are not only physical events; they are also information events, Roozbahani says. Effective response and long-term resilience depend on the ability to observe, record, and communicate critical data under pressure. Georgia Tech\u2019s IDR course pairs structured on-campus preparation with international field experiences, enabling students to study the cascading effects of major disasters, including how local building practices, governance, and culture shape damage and recovery.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen students step into a disaster zone, they learn quickly that resilience is a systems problem: physical, social, and informational. Our job in computing is to help them capture and reason about that system responsibly,\u201d Roozbahani said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearning from the 2025 Himalayas Expedition\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring spring break last year, the cohort traveled along the Teesta River corridor in Sikkim, India. The region is shaped by steep terrain, fast-moving water, and critical infrastructure in narrow valleys.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe visit followed the October 2023 glacial lake outburst flood from South Lhonak Lake, which destroyed the Teesta III hydropower dam and impacted downstream towns, including Dikchu and Rangpo. Field stops across India included Lachung, Chungthang, Dikchu, Rangpo, Gangtok, and New Delhi.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents explored both upstream and downstream consequences.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUpstream, the team examined how steep terrain and river confinement amplify flood forces, creating cascading risks for infrastructure. Using Filio\u2019s interactive 360\u00b0 media, students captured conditions in Lachung and Chungthang, allowing viewers to explore the landscape through a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/app.filio.io\/photo-viewer?src=https:\/\/visual.filio.io\/f-67d1cabeb82b05102bf91a4c\/_d6LpRAkr0ymi1OqCtGeAYrXo8xBGTJmACPN0SGXP50QlCE8FLR-f-67da18bc11c485642674bf73_=s0-photo-r0\u0026amp;rotation=0\u0026amp;type=360\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E360\u00b0 photo\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/app.filio.io\/video-viewer?src=https:\/\/visual.filio.io\/f-67d1cabeb82b05102bf91a4c\/_IX5yWxXjRjtueg1qeGFhV62K8GDhLlarQ6uFC9g4zkjIl7rCM3-f-67dcd50f11c485642674d269_=s0-video\u0026amp;rotation=0\u0026amp;type=360\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E360\u00b0 video\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E that reveal how topography and river dynamics intensify disaster impacts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey studied community-scale effects downstream, including damaged buildings, disrupted access, and prolonged recovery timelines.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERangpo offered a glimpse of recovery in motion, with materials staged for rebuilding bridges and roads essential to commerce and emergency response.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUsing Immersive Media as a Learning Tool\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents documented their field experience using \u003Cem\u003EFilio\u003C\/em\u003E, an AI-powered visual reporting platform developed by Roozbahani through Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECREATE-X\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E ecosystem. Filio captures high-resolution photos, video, and 360\u00b0 immersive media, preserving both the facts and the context of disaster sites; what the site felt like, what was lost, and what communities prioritized in recovery.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA 360\u00b0 capture lets students return months later and ask better questions. That second look is where learning accelerates,\u201d Roozbahani said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupported by alumni and faculty mentors, including Tech alumnus \u003Cstrong\u003EChris Klaus\u003C\/strong\u003E and Georgia Tech mentor \u003Cstrong\u003EBill Higginbotham\u003C\/strong\u003E, the platform is evolving into a reusable educational library for future courses on immersive technology, responsible AI, and global resilience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKathmandu: The Context of Culture\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe course concluded in Kathmandu, Nepal, where students examined how heritage, governance, and the everyday use of public space shape resilience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough Filio\u2019s immersive documentation \u2014 including a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/app.filio.io\/photo-viewer?src=https:\/\/visual.filio.io\/f-67d1cafeb82b05102bf91a4d\/_n2OFrWLzHNcdTkMl6uD9j0tSrOPybGLZccsNcarj8vwZaZIbuu-f-67dedf3f11c485642674d820_=s0-photo-r0\u0026amp;rotation=0\u0026amp;type=360\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E360\u00b0 photo\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/app.filio.io\/video-viewer?src=https:\/\/visual.filio.io\/f-67d1cafeb82b05102bf91a4d\/_CD25dUToZ6BgfmfrayfHHtsThQGJIQWu82xqmzSy884UXHnbEB-f-67dd5a9b11c485642674d302_=s0-video\u0026amp;rotation=0\u0026amp;type=360\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E360\u00b0 video\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E from Kathmandu \u2014 the focus broadened from hazard impacts to cultural context, highlighting how recovery is not only about rebuilding structures, but also about preserving identity, memory, and community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELooking Ahead: A Growing Resource for All Students\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrost and Roozbahani envision the IDR immersive media library as a reusable resource for students even when they cannot travel, supporting future courses on immersive technology, responsible AI, and global resilience. Spring 2026 cohorts will continue to build on this foundation by documenting, analyzing, and sharing insights that can improve education and real-world disaster response.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn AI-powered tool is changing how researchers study disasters and how students learn from them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlas.gatech.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular\u0026amp;id=10139\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInternational Disaster Reconnaissance (IDR) course\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, students now use \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.filio.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFilio\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a platform built by School of Computing Instruction Senior Lecturer \u003Cstrong\u003EMax Mahdi Roozbahani\u003C\/strong\u003E, to capture immersive 360\u00b0 media, photos, and video that transform real disaster sites in India and Nepal into living digital classrooms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"An AI-powered tool is changing how researchers study disasters and how students learn from them. "}],"uid":"36613","created_gmt":"2026-01-22 15:11:14","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:54:39","author":"Emily Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679052":{"id":"679052","type":"image","title":"1-IDR-Spring-2025---Lachung---Chungthang03182025.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EStudents visited Lachung and Chungthang in Sikkim, India. Upstream in the Teesta Valley, students examined how steep terrain and river confinement amplify flood forces and how failures can cascade across an entire corridor of infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1769095217","gmt_created":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","changed":"1769095217","gmt_changed":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","alt":"Students visited Lachung and Chungthang in Sikkim, India. Upstream in the Teesta Valley, students examined how steep terrain and river confinement amplify flood forces and how failures can cascade across an entire corridor of infrastructure. ","file":{"fid":"263164","name":"1-IDR-Spring-2025---Lachung---Chungthang03182025.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/1-IDR-Spring-2025---Lachung---Chungthang03182025.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/1-IDR-Spring-2025---Lachung---Chungthang03182025.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1897568,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/22\/1-IDR-Spring-2025---Lachung---Chungthang03182025.jpg?itok=zDRmcY2d"}},"679053":{"id":"679053","type":"image","title":"2-IDR-Spring-2025---Dikchu03172025.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDownstream in the town Dikchu in Sikkim, India, the class focused on community-scale consequences: damaged buildings, disrupted access, and long recovery timelines.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1769095217","gmt_created":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","changed":"1769095217","gmt_changed":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","alt":"Downstream in the town Dikchu in Sikkim, India, the class focused on community-scale consequences: damaged buildings, disrupted access, and long recovery timelines.","file":{"fid":"263165","name":"2-IDR-Spring-2025---Dikchu03172025.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/2-IDR-Spring-2025---Dikchu03172025.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/2-IDR-Spring-2025---Dikchu03172025.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":543269,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/22\/2-IDR-Spring-2025---Dikchu03172025.jpg?itok=vdI7egUR"}},"679054":{"id":"679054","type":"image","title":"3-IDR-Spring-2025---Rangpo03162025.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERangpo in Sikkim, India offered a view of recovery in motion such as materials staged for rebuilding near bridges and roads that keep commerce and emergency response moving.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1769095217","gmt_created":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","changed":"1769095217","gmt_changed":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","alt":"Rangpo in Sikkim, India offered a view of recovery in motion such as materials staged for rebuilding near bridges and roads that keep commerce and emergency response moving.","file":{"fid":"263166","name":"3-IDR-Spring-2025---Rangpo03162025.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/3-IDR-Spring-2025---Rangpo03162025.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/3-IDR-Spring-2025---Rangpo03162025.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1479166,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/22\/3-IDR-Spring-2025---Rangpo03162025.jpg?itok=MuIfiKjX"}},"679055":{"id":"679055","type":"image","title":"4-IDR-Spring-2025---Kathmandu--Nepal03212025.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIn Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, the course broadened from hazard impacts to cultural context, exploring how heritage, governance, and everyday use of public space shape resilience.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1769095217","gmt_created":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","changed":"1769095217","gmt_changed":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","alt":"In Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, the course broadened from hazard impacts to cultural context, exploring how heritage, governance, and everyday use of public space shape resilience.","file":{"fid":"263167","name":"4-IDR-Spring-2025---Kathmandu--Nepal03212025.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/4-IDR-Spring-2025---Kathmandu--Nepal03212025.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/4-IDR-Spring-2025---Kathmandu--Nepal03212025.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2316531,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/22\/4-IDR-Spring-2025---Kathmandu--Nepal03212025.jpg?itok=KBCQfvza"}},"679056":{"id":"679056","type":"image","title":"cover-photo.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering students captured 360 media, using Filio, to study disaster sites in India and Nepal. Photos provided by Roozbahani.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1769095217","gmt_created":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","changed":"1769095217","gmt_changed":"2026-01-22 15:20:17","alt":"School of Civil and Environmental Engineering students captured 360 media, using Filio, to study disaster sites in India and Nepal. Photos provided by Roozbahani. ","file":{"fid":"263168","name":"cover-photo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/cover-photo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/cover-photo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":833758,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/22\/cover-photo.jpg?itok=jiNPLFL8"}}},"media_ids":["679052","679053","679054","679055","679056"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660374","name":"School of Computing Instruction"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"193866","name":"school of computing instruction"},{"id":"172752","name":"Georgia Tech School of Civil and Environmental Engineering"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:emily.smith@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EEmily Smith\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Computing\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688391":{"#nid":"688391","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Robot Pollinator Could Produce More, Better Crops for Indoor Farms","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new robot could solve one of the biggest challenges facing indoor farmers: manual pollination.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIndoor farms, also known as vertical farms, are popular among agricultural researchers and are expanding across the agricultural industry. Some benefits they have over outdoor farms include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYear-round production of food crops\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELess water and land requirements\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENot needing pesticides\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReducing carbon emissions from shipping\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReducing food waste\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.agritecture.com\/blog\/2021\/7\/20\/5-ways-vertical-farming-is-improving-nutrition\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Esome studies\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E indicate that indoor farms produce more nutritious food for urban communities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, these farms are often inaccessible to birds, bees, and other natural pollinators, leaving the pollination process to humans. The tedious process must be completed by hand for each flower to ensure the indoor crop flourishes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/ai-ping-hu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAi-Ping Hu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a principal research engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), has spent years exploring methods to efficiently pollinate flowering plants and food crops in indoor farms to find a way to efficiently pollinate flower plants and food crops in indoor farms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHu,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/shreyas-kousik\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAssistant Professor Shreyas Kousik of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and a rotating group of student interns have developed a robot prototype that may be up to the task.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe robot can efficiently pollinate plants that have both male and female reproductive parts. These plants only require pollen to be transferred from one part to the other rather than externally from another flower.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENatural pollinators perform this task outdoors, but Hu said indoor farmers often use a paintbrush or electric tootbrush to ensure these flowers are pollinated.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKnowing the Pose\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn early challenge the research team addressed was teaching the robot to identify the \u201cpose\u201d of each flower. Pose refers to a flower\u2019s orientation, shape, and symmetry. Knowing these details ensures precise delivery of the pollen to maximize reproductive success.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s crucial to know exactly which way the flowers are facing,\u201d Hu said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou want to approach the flower from the front because that\u2019s where all the biological structures are. Knowing the pose tells you where the stem is. Our device grasps the stem and shakes it to dislodge the pollen.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEvery flower is going to have its own pose, and you need to know what that is within at least 10 degrees.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EComputer Vision Breakthrough\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHarsh Muriki\u003C\/strong\u003E is a robotics master\u2019s student at Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing, who used computer vision to solve the pose problem while interning for Hu and GTRI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuriki attached a camera to a FarmBot to capture images of strawberry plants from dozens of angles in a small garden in front of Georgia Tech\u2019s Food Processing Technology Building. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/farm.bot\/?srsltid=AfmBOoqh1Z8vSs3WflZisgw5DsOUSo8shD4VtY0Y8_VmVpVyt0Iwalxo\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFarmBot\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is an XYZ-axis robot that waters and sprays pesticides on outdoor gardens, though it is not capable of pollination.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe reconstruct the images of the flower into a 3D model and use a technique that converts the 3D model into multiple 2D images with depth information,\u201d Muriki said. \u201cThis enables us to send them to object detectors.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuriki said he used a real-time object detection system called YOLO (You Only Look Once) to classify objects. YOLO is known for identifying and classifying objects in a single pass.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVed Sengupta\u003C\/strong\u003E, a computer engineering major who interned with Muriki, fine-tuned the algorithms that converted 3D images into 2D.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis was a crucial part of making robot pollination possible,\u201d Sengupta said. \u201cThere is a big gap between 3D and 2D image processing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s not a lot of data on the internet for 3D object detection, but there\u2019s a ton for 2D. We were able to get great results from the converted images, and I think any sector of technology can take advantage of that.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESengupta, Muriki, and Hu co-authored a paper about their work that was accepted to the 2025 International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Atlanta.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMeasuring Success\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe pollination robot, built in Kousik\u2019s Safe Robotics Lab, is now in the prototype phase.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHu said the robot can do more than pollinate. It can also analyze each flower to determine how well it was pollinated and whether the chances for reproduction are high.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt has an additional capability of microscopic inspection,\u201d Hu said. \u201cIt\u2019s the first device we know of that provides visual feedback on how well a flower was pollinated.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more information about the robot, visit the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/saferoboticslab.me.gatech.edu\/research\/towards-robotic-pollination\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESafe Robotics Lab project page\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EManual pollination is one of the biggest challenges for indoor farmers. These farms are often inaccessible to birds, bees, and other natural pollinators, leaving the pollination process to humans. The tedious process must be completed by hand for each flower to ensure the indoor crop flourishes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech research led by Ai-Ping Hu and Shreyas Kousik team is working to solve that. A robot they\u0027ve developed can efficiently pollinate plants that have both male and female reproductive parts. These plants only require pollen to be transferred from one part to the other rather than externally from another flower.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A research team that expands GTRI, the College of Engineering, and the College of Computing have developed a robot capable of pollinating flowers in indoor farms."}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-02-19 18:58:12","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:54:01","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-19T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-19T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679370":{"id":"679370","type":"image","title":"Harsh-Muriki_86A0006.jpg","body":null,"created":"1771527500","gmt_created":"2026-02-19 18:58:20","changed":"1771527500","gmt_changed":"2026-02-19 18:58:20","alt":"Harsh Muriki","file":{"fid":"263520","name":"Harsh-Muriki_86A0006.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/19\/Harsh-Muriki_86A0006.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/19\/Harsh-Muriki_86A0006.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":140654,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/19\/Harsh-Muriki_86A0006.jpg?itok=rd0rv1Yt"}}},"media_ids":["679370"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187991","name":"go-robotics"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"11506","name":"computer vision"},{"id":"180840","name":"computer vision systems"},{"id":"669","name":"agriculture"},{"id":"194392","name":"AI in Agriculture"},{"id":"170254","name":"urban gardening"},{"id":"94111","name":"farming"},{"id":"14913","name":"urban farming"},{"id":"23911","name":"bees"},{"id":"6660","name":"flowers"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ndeen6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ENathan Deen\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Computing\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688478":{"#nid":"688478","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Student Getting Research Boost Through Google Ph.D. Fellowship","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech Ph.D. candidate is getting a boost to his research into developing more efficient multi-tasking artificial intelligence (AI) models without fine-tuning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Stoica is one of 38 Ph.D. students worldwide researching machine learning who were named a\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.google\/programs-and-events\/phd-fellowship\/recipients\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E 2025 Google Ph.D. Fellow\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStoica is designing AI training methods that bypass fine-tuning, which is the process of adapting a large pre-trained model to perform new tasks. Fine-tuning is one of the most common ways engineers update large-language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to add new capabilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf an AI company wants to give a model a new capability, it could create a new model from scratch for that specific purpose. However, if the model already has relevant training and knowledge of the new task, fine-tuning is cheaper.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStoica argues that fine-tuning still uses large amounts of data, and that other methods can help models learn more effectively and efficiently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFull fine-tuning yields strong performance, but it can be costly, and it risks catastrophic forgetting,\u201d Stoica said. \u201cMy research asks if we can extend a model\u2019s capabilities by imbuing it with the expertise of others, without fine-tuning?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cReducing cost and improving efficiency is more important than ever. We have so many publicly available models that have been trained to solve a variety of tasks. It\u2019s redundant to train a new model from scratch. It\u2019s much more efficient to leverage the information that already exists to get a model up to speed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStoica said the solution is a cost-effective method called model merging. This method combines two or more AI models into a single model, improving performance without fine-tuning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn a basic level, Stoica said an example would be combining a model that is efficient at classifying cats with one that works well at dogs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMerging is cheap because you just take the parameters, the weights of your existing models, and combine them,\u201d he said. \u201cYou could take the average of the weights to create a new model, but that sometimes doesn\u2019t work. My work has aimed to rearrange the weights so they can communicate easily with each other.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough his Google fellowship, Stoica seeks to apply model merging to create a cutting-edge vision encoder. A vision encoder converts image or video data into numerical representations that computers can understand. This enables tasks such as image or facial recognition and generative image captioning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI want to be at the frontier of the field, and Google is clearly part of that,\u201d Stoica said. \u201cThe vision encoder is very large-scale, and Google has the infrastructure to accommodate it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Stoica is one of 38 Ph.D. students worldwide researching machine learning who were named a\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.google\/programs-and-events\/phd-fellowship\/recipients\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E 2025 Google Ph.D. Fellow\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStoica is designing AI training methods that bypass fine-tuning, which is the process of adapting a large pre-trained model to perform new tasks. Fine-tuning is one of the most common ways engineers update large-language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to add new capabilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Stoica is one of 38 Ph.D. students worldwide researching machine learning who were named a 2025 Google Ph.D. Fellow."}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-02-23 17:43:54","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:53:05","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-23T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-23T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679394":{"id":"679394","type":"image","title":"IMG_2942-copy-2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1771868657","gmt_created":"2026-02-23 17:44:17","changed":"1771868657","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 17:44:17","alt":"George Stoica","file":{"fid":"263553","name":"IMG_2942-copy-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/23\/IMG_2942-copy-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/23\/IMG_2942-copy-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":112361,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/23\/IMG_2942-copy-2.jpg?itok=KCVheh-u"}}},"media_ids":["679394"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"3165","name":"google"},{"id":"9143","name":"Graduate Research Fellowship"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688487":{"#nid":"688487","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Study Could Show How TikTok\u2019s Algorithm Affects Youth Mental Health","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-02-18\/mark-zuckerberg-tesimony-la-social-media-trial?utm_source=chatgpt.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Etook the witness stand\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court to defend his company from accusations that social media harms children.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA lawsuit filed by a 20-year-old plaintiff alleges Instagram and other social media apps are designed to make young users addicted to their platforms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, social media experts believe the algorithms that drive content on these platforms play a role in hooking users and keeping them scrolling for extensive periods of time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new study led by Georgia Tech might confirm this suspicion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing recently acquired data from more than 10,000 adolescent users,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.munmund.net\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMunmun De Choudhury\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E will audit TikTok\u2019s recommendation algorithm and study its impact on young people\u2019s behavior and mental health.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDe Choudhury is leading a multi-institutional research team on a four-year, $1.7 million grant from the Huo Family Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe hope to learn the different types of negative exposures that young people experience when using TikTok,\u201d De Choudhury said. \u201cThis can help us characterize what they\u2019re watching and build computational methods to understand the consumption behaviors of these participants and how they\u2019re affected by the algorithm.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDe Choudhury, a professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing, is collaborating with Amy Orben, a professor at the University of Cambridge, and Homa Hosseinmardi, an assistant professor at UCLA, on the project.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESocial media platforms have become increasingly reluctant to share their data in recent years, posing a challenge for researchers like De Choudhury.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe can\u2019t do the type of studies we did 10 years ago with X (formerly Twitter) because the API is much more restrictive,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are limited ways to programmatically access people\u2019s data now.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe must go through a tedious, manual process to get around declining access to social media data. This data-gathering process is essential given the sensitive nature of mental health research. You want data that is shared with consent.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrben collected TikTok data from more than 10,000 young people in the UK who consented to provide their personal data archives in accordance with the European Union\u2019s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe collected data includes watch histories, which De Choudhury said distinguishes this research from other social media studies that focus on what users post.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe don\u2019t understand passive social media consumption very well, so we hope to close that gap and learn what that looks like,\u201d she said. \u201cThat could complement or contrast what we know about people\u2019s active engagement on these platforms. Is what they\u2019re consuming directly related to what they\u2019re posting? How does passive consumption affect young people\u2019s mental health?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA clearer picture of how algorithm-based content affects young people could result in design interventions to minimize negative effects. De Choudhury said studying data from young people is critical because it\u2019s not too late to steer them away from unhealthy behavioral patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSome of the earliest signs or symptoms of mental health conditions appear in adolescence,\u201d she said. \u201cIf appropriate care and support are provided, maybe it\u2019s possible to prevent these symptoms from becoming full-blown in the future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBeyond TikTok\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat the research team learns about TikTok could also provide broader insight into other social media platforms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETikTok has been influential in how social media platforms display video content. Competitors like Instagram and X modeled their video presentation after TikTok\u2019s, which can easily lead to doomscrolling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur hope is that our findings can be generalized, with the caveat the data we have is exclusively from TikTok,\u201d De Choudhury said. \u201cOther platforms have similar video-sharing and consumption features where the video automatically plays from one to the next. We hope what we learn from TikTok will be applicable to people\u2019s activities elsewhere, though it will require future work beyond this project to draw concrete conclusions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESimulating Feeds with AI\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDe Choudhury said an additional part of the study will be using artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate video feeds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2024, Hosseinmardi led a study at the University of Pennsylvania on YouTube\u2019s recommendation algorithm and used bots that either followed or ignored the recommendations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDe Choudhury said they will use a similar method for TikTok.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe feeds will be realistic but generated by AI to see the potential pathways to consumption rabbit holes,\u201d she said. \u201cThis should give us some insight into how algorithms influence the negative and positive exposures people might be having on TikTok.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFoundation Expands Reach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBased in the UK and established in 2009, the Huo Family Foundation supports community education initiatives in the UK, the U.S., and China.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe organization announced in January its launch of the Huo Family Foundation Science Programme.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/huofamilyfoundation.org\/news\/updates\/huo-family-foundation-awards-17-6m-for-groundbreaking-research\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe new program is committing $17.6 million to fund 20 new multi-year research grants\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E that explore the impact of digital technology on the brain development, social behavior, and mental health of young people.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDigital technology is profoundly shaping childhood and young adulthood, yet there is limited causal evidence of its effects,\u201d\u0026nbsp;said Yan Huo, founder of the Huo Family Foundation, in a press release.\u0026nbsp;\u201cWe are proud to support exceptional researchers advancing vital scientific understanding.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELed by Georgia Tech professor Munmun De Choudhury, a multi-institutional research team is launching a $1.7 million study to examine how TikTok\u2019s recommendation algorithm influences the mental health of adolescent users. The project focuses on passive consumption by analyzing the watch histories of over 10,000 young participants and using AI to simulate content \u0022rabbit holes.\u0022 By identifying patterns of negative exposure, the researchers aim to develop design interventions that can steer teenagers away from unhealthy behavioral patterns and support early mental health care.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech-led research team is conducting a multi-year study using data from more than 10,000 adolescents to investigate how TikTok\u2019s recommendation algorithm and passive content consumption impact youth mental health."}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-02-24 14:29:28","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:52:52","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679406":{"id":"679406","type":"image","title":"208A9267-2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1771943377","gmt_created":"2026-02-24 14:29:37","changed":"1771943377","gmt_changed":"2026-02-24 14:29:37","alt":"Munmun De Choudhury","file":{"fid":"263567","name":"208A9267-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/208A9267-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/208A9267-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":104533,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/24\/208A9267-2.jpg?itok=3fEZjVVt"}}},"media_ids":["679406"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"143","name":"Digital Media and Entertainment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"167543","name":"social media"},{"id":"190947","name":"tiktok"},{"id":"10343","name":"mental health"},{"id":"10824","name":"Children And Adolescents"},{"id":"5660","name":"algorithms"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688516":{"#nid":"688516","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Is This Your AI? Researchers Crack AI Blackbox","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence (AI) systems power everything from chatbots to security cameras, yet many of the most advanced models operate as \u201cblack boxes.\u201d Companies can use them, but outsiders can\u2019t see how they were built, where they came from, or whether they contain hidden flaws.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis lack of transparency creates real risks. A model could contain security vulnerabilities or hidden backdoors. It could also be a lightly modified version of an open-source system \u2014 repackaged in violation of its license \u2014 with no easy way to prove it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new framework, ZEN, to help solve this problem. The tool can recover a model\u2019s unique \u201cfingerprint\u201d directly from its memory, allowing experts to trace its origins and reconstruct how it was assembled.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAnalyzing a proprietary AI model without identifying where it came from and how it is constructed is like trying to fix a car engine with the hood welded shut,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/davidoygenblik.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDavid Oygenblik\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a Ph.D. student at Georgia Tech and the study\u2019s lead author.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cZEN not only X-rays the engine but also provides the complete wiring diagram.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZEN works by taking a snapshot of a running AI system and extracting information about both its mathematical structure and the code that defines it. It compares that fingerprint against a database of known open-source models to determine the system\u2019s origin.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf it finds a match, ZEN identifies the exact changes and generates software patches that allow investigators to recreate a working replica of the proprietary model for testing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat capability has major implications for both security and intellectual property protection.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith ZEN, a security analyst can finally test a black-box model for hidden backdoors, and a company can gather concrete evidence to prove its software license was infringed,\u201d Oygenblik said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo evaluate the system, the research team tested ZEN on 21 state-of-the-art AI models, including Llama 3, YOLOv10, and other well-known systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZEN correctly traced every customized model back to its original open-source foundation \u2014 achieving 100% attribution accuracy. Even when models had been heavily modified \u2014 differing by more than 83% from their original versions \u2014 ZEN successfully identified the changes and enabled full reconstruction for security testing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers will present their findings at the 2026 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ndss-symposium.org\/\u0022\u003ENetwork and Distributed System Security (NDSS) Symposium\u003C\/a\u003E. The paper, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ndss-symposium.org\/ndss-paper\/achieving-zen-combining-mathematical-and-programmatic-deep-learning-model-representations-for-attribution-and-reuse\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAchieving Zen: Combining Mathematical and Programmatic Deep Learning Model Representations for Attribution and Reuse\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, was authored by Oygenblik, master\u2019s student \u003Cstrong\u003EDinko Dermendzhiev\u003C\/strong\u003E, Ph.D. students \u003Cstrong\u003EFilippos Sofias\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003EMingxuan Yao\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003EHaichuan Xu\u003C\/strong\u003E, and \u003Cstrong\u003ERunze Zhang\u003C\/strong\u003E, post-doctorate scholars \u003Cstrong\u003EJeman Park\u003C\/strong\u003E, and \u003Cstrong\u003EAmit Kumar Sikder\u003C\/strong\u003E, as well as Associate Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EBrendan Saltaformaggio\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers have developed a technique to identify the origins of proprietary \u201cblack-box\u201d AI models, even when their internal structure and training data are hidden. Because many commercial AI systems cannot be externally inspected, it is difficult to detect security vulnerabilities, intellectual property theft, licensing violations, or trace a model\u2019s lineage. The new approach enables researchers to attribute models, determine whether one was derived from another, and identify potential misuse of protected data. By improving transparency and enabling verification of model provenance, the work strengthens accountability and trust in AI systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have developed a technique to identify the origins of proprietary \u201cblack-box\u201d AI models, even when their internal structure and training data are hidden."}],"uid":"36253","created_gmt":"2026-02-25 17:33:20","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:52:42","author":"John Popham","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679429":{"id":"679429","type":"image","title":"Is-this-your-AI.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772040810","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 17:33:30","changed":"1772040810","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 17:33:30","alt":"A graphic showing an AI model in an outstretched hand. ","file":{"fid":"263592","name":"Is-this-your-AI.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Is-this-your-AI.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Is-this-your-AI.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1346270,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/Is-this-your-AI.jpg?itok=ehbGALRW"}}},"media_ids":["679429"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.ndss-symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026-s1628-paper.pdf","title":"Read the Paper"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660367","name":"School of Cybersecurity and Privacy"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"193860","name":"Artifical Intelligence"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"365","name":"Research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Popham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u0026nbsp;School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jpopham3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688223":{"#nid":"688223","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Department of Energy Award to Power Nuclear Research With Machine Learning","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe future of clean energy depends on algorithms as much as it does atoms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/people\/qi-tang\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is building machine learning (ML) models to accelerate nuclear fusion research, making it more affordable and more accurate. Backed by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Tang\u2019s work brings clean, sustainable energy closer to reality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang has received an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/early-career\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEarly Career Research Program (ECRP) award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E from the DOE Office of Science. The grant supports Tang with $875,000 disbursed over five years to craft ML and data processing tools that help scientists analyze massive datasets from nuclear experiments and simulations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is the first faculty member from Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Computing and School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) to receive the ECRP. He is the seventh Georgia Tech researcher to earn the award and the only GT awardee among this year\u2019s 99 recipients.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore than a milestone, the award reflects a shift in how nuclear research is done. Today, progress depends on computing and data science as much as on physics and engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am honored and excited to receive the ECRP award through DOE\u2019s Advanced Scientific Computing Research program, an organization I care about deeply,\u201d said Tang, an assistant professor in the School of CSE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am grateful to my former colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory and collaborators at other national laboratories, including Lawrence Livermore, Sandia, and Argonne. I am also thankful for my Ph.D. students at Georgia Tech, whose dedication and creativity make this award possible.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-faculty-applies-high-performance-computing-scientific-machine-learning-interests-studies\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew Faculty Applies High-Performance Computing, Scientific Machine Learning Interests to Studies in Plasma Physics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA problem in nuclear research is that fusion simulations are challenging to understand and use. These simulations generate enormous datasets that are too large to store, move, and analyze efficiently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pamspublic.science.energy.gov\/WebPAMSExternal\/Interface\/Common\/ViewPublicAbstract.aspx?rv=a756f612-3409-44b8-89ea-7421bf0840e5\u0026amp;rtc=24\u0026amp;PRoleId=10\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn his ECRP proposal to DOE\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Tang introduced new ML methods to improve the analysis and storage of particle data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang\u2019s approach balances shrinking data so it is easier to store and transfer while preserving the most important scientific features. His multiscale ML models are informed by physics, so the reduced data still reflects how fusion systems really behave.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith Tang\u2019s research, scientists can run larger, more realistic fusion models and analyze results more quickly. This accelerates progress toward practical fusion energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn contrast to generic black-box-type compression tools, we aim at preserving the intrinsic structures of the particle dataset during the data reduction processes,\u201d Tang said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTaking this approach, we can meet our goal of achieving high-fidelity preservation of critical physics with minimum loss of information.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EComputing is essential in modern research because of the amount of data produced and captured from experiments and simulations. In the era of exascale supercomputers, data movement is a greater bottleneck than actual computation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDOE operates three of the world\u2019s four exascale supercomputers. These machines can calculate one quintillion (a billion billion) operations per second.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe exascale era began in 2022 with the launch of Frontier at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Aurora followed in 2023 at Argonne National Laboratory. El Capitan arrived in 2024 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith Tang\u2019s data reduction approaches, all of DOE\u2019s supercomputers spend more time on science and less time waiting for data transfers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cQi\u2019s work in computational plasma physics and nuclear fusion modeling has been groundbreaking,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003EHaesun Park\u003C\/strong\u003E, Regents\u2019 Professor and Chair of the School of CSE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are proud of Qi and what this award means for him, Georgia Tech, and the Department of Energy toward leveraging computation to solve challenges in science and engineering, such as sustainable energy.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch6\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrevious Georgia Tech recipients of DOE Early Career Research Program awards include:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h6\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/26\/doe-recognizes-georgia-tech-researchers-prestigious-early-career-awards\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EItamar Kimchi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor, School of Physics\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/26\/doe-recognizes-georgia-tech-researchers-prestigious-early-career-awards\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESourabh Saha\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/wenjing-liao-awarded-doe-early-career-award-model-simplification-deep-learning\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWenjing Lao\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor, School of Mathematics\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/news\/2018\/06\/professor-lively-receives-does-early-career-award\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERyan Lively\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Thomas C. DeLoach Professor, School of Chemical \u0026amp; Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/josh-kacher\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJosh Kacher\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/khabar.com\/community-newsmakers\/devesh-ranjan-receives-early-career-award-from-u-s-department-of-energy\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDevesh Ranjan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. School Chair and professor, Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/people\/qi-tang\u0022\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E is building machine learning (ML) models to accelerate nuclear fusion research, making it more affordable and more accurate. Backed by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Tang\u2019s work brings clean, sustainable energy closer to reality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang has received an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/early-career\u0022\u003EEarly Career Research Program (ECRP) award\u003C\/a\u003E from the DOE Office of Science. The grant supports Tang with $875,000 disbursed over five years to craft ML and data processing tools that help scientists analyze massive datasets from nuclear experiments and simulations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is the first faculty member from Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Computing and School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) to receive the ECRP. He is the seventh Georgia Tech researcher to earn the award and the only GT awardee among this year\u2019s 99 recipients.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u0027s Qi Tang has received an Early Career Research Program award from the Department of Energy\u0027s Office of Science. The $875,000 grant supports Tang for five years to craft ML tools that analyze data from nuclear experiments and simulations. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-02-12 15:11:55","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:52:31","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679267":{"id":"679267","type":"image","title":"Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg","body":null,"created":"1770909124","gmt_created":"2026-02-12 15:12:04","changed":"1770909124","gmt_changed":"2026-02-12 15:12:04","alt":"DOE ECRP Qi Tang","file":{"fid":"263400","name":"Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":125283,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/12\/Qi-TangStory-Cover.jpg?itok=mPLUykJZ"}}},"media_ids":["679267"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/department-energy-award-power-nuclear-research-machine-learning","title":"Department of Energy Award to Power Nuclear Research with Machine Learning"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"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\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688648":{"#nid":"688648","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New \u2018Touchable Sound\u2019 Museum Display Makes Data More Accessible","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBlind and low vision (BLV) people may soon have access to and more easily understand scientific data in museum exhibits through new \u201ctouchable sound\u201d displays.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor Jessica Roberts and Ph.D. student Emily Amspoker of Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing are working with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gacoast.uga.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u2019s Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in Savannah\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Together, they\u2019ve developed a prototype display that uses sonification and texture to convey sea floor habitat information from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/graysreef.noaa.gov\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGray\u2019s Reef National Marine Sanctuary\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E off the coast of Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESonification is the process of translating data points into sound.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe display functions as a map that BLV users can follow to learn about each habitat. It is made from a wooden board with laser-cut patterns engraved into the surface. Each pattern represents information about the four types of habitats found in Gray\u2019s Reef. Each pattern has a distinct sound that corresponds to a legend on the board, which provides an audio description of each habitat.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe four habitats are:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFlat sand \u2014 smooth sandy seafloor with little topographic variation that provides habitat for burrowing organisms such as worms, clams, and sand dollars.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERippled sand \u2014 sandy bottom shaped into small wave-like ridges by currents and wave action; supports microhabitats of small invertebrates and attracts fish feeding on buried prey.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESparse live bottom \u2014 areas of exposed hard surfaces with scattered attached organisms like sponges, corals, and algae, offering structure and shelter for reef-associated fish and invertebrates.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDense live bottom \u2014 hard-bottom reef areas with abundant attached marine life, providing high biodiversity and offering food, and breeding sites for numerous species.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy allowing learners to explore these habitats, the team hopes to emphasize the importance of protecting diverse ocean habitats.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur job was to figure out how we can use sounds and touch to represent each of the four habitat types so our visitors can explore the ocean without being able to see it,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERoberts said the project is critical to advance understanding of how science and informal learning can be more inclusive to those who have difficulty processing visual data displays.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis was particularly exciting to figure out how we could broaden accessibility to data sets because just like so much other scientific data, it\u2019s out there and available, but when it\u2019s presented to the public, it\u2019s usually in visual form,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are many open questions about how to do this well within a museum with complex scientific data. We\u2019re moving the needle on that, but there\u2019s a long way to go.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERight Combination\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmspoker and Roberts created three different versions of the prototype. One was sound-only, one was texture-only, and the other was a combination of sound and texture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe expected the multimodal version would work best,\u201d Amspoker said. \u201cWe found people used sound and texture in different ways when interacting with it. In cases where people relied on texture, it was still difficult to tell when they crossed the barrier from one texture to another. Sound was very useful in that case.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmspoker said computer vision and an app she designed allow the technology to be deployed on any surface, whether a mobile device, a wooden board, or even a classroom floor. A camera set up above the display tracks the user\u2019s hand movements.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt figures out where you are on the board, and then our code uses the location of your finger to decide what sound should play from the computer,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat\u2019s nice about our system is it only needs a computer and a webcam, and you can use whatever materials you have on hand for the map.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding on a Legacy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERoberts said she is building on the work of a previous NSF-funded collaboration with Dr. Amy Bower, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts who is blind.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBower lost her vision in graduate school, but because of her lifelong interest in oceanography, she set out to create ways to learn about ocean data through sound.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2021, she launched the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/accessibleoceans.whoi.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAccessible Oceans\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E project through the National Science Foundation\u2019s Advancing Informal STEM Learning program. The interdisciplinary team, including Roberts and collaborators Leslie Smith of Your Ocean Consulting and Jon Bellona of the University of Oregon, created auditory displays of sonified data for museums.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2023, the team published \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tos.org\/oceanography\/article\/expanding-access-to-ocean-science-through-inclusively-designed-data-sonifications\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ean article in \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOceanography,\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E the official magazine of the Oeanography Society\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cInformal learning environments are increasingly recognizing the importance of employing multiple modalities to engage all learners and are leveraging sound to enhance visitor experience,\u201d the authors wrote.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhile sonic additions of music, soundscapes, and field recordings add qualitative value, there is a need to explore the potential of sound to facilitate engagement with quantitative information. Data sonification is a promising avenue for increasing accessibility to data within the museum context.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have created a prototype \u201ctouchable sound\u201d museum exhibit that helps blind and low-vision visitors explore scientific data by combining tactile maps with sonification of seafloor habitats. The display translates information about different ocean environments into distinctive textures and sounds so users can follow a physical map of Gray\u2019s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and hear data-driven audio cues. The team hopes this multimodal approach will make complex visual data more inclusive and broaden access to informal science learning.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers have developed a prototype \u201ctouchable sound\u201d museum display that uses sonification and tactile maps to make complex scientific data about ocean habitats more accessible to blind and low-vision visitors."}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-03-03 15:13:03","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:52:09","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679503":{"id":"679503","type":"image","title":"2026-Jessica-Roberts-Reef-Data-Sonification-2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772550793","gmt_created":"2026-03-03 15:13:13","changed":"1772550793","gmt_changed":"2026-03-03 15:13:13","alt":"Jessica Roberts","file":{"fid":"263675","name":"2026-Jessica-Roberts-Reef-Data-Sonification-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/2026-Jessica-Roberts-Reef-Data-Sonification-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/2026-Jessica-Roberts-Reef-Data-Sonification-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":118705,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/03\/2026-Jessica-Roberts-Reef-Data-Sonification-2.jpg?itok=UaqIj7yh"}}},"media_ids":["679503"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"360","name":"accessibility"},{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"9092","name":"museums"},{"id":"181370","name":"oceanography"},{"id":"176552","name":"data sonification"},{"id":"1102","name":"blind"},{"id":"2751","name":"visually impaired"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688916":{"#nid":"688916","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Undergrads Earn National Recognition for Computing Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo Georgia Tech undergraduates are being recognized for their contributions to computing research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERyan\u0026nbsp;Punamiya\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(CS 2025)\u0026nbsp;and \u003Cstrong\u003ESummer Abramson\u003C\/strong\u003E, a third-year\u0026nbsp;computational\u0026nbsp;media student, have been honored by the Computing Research Association (CRA) through its 2025\u20132026 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cra.org\/about\/awards\/outstanding-undergraduate-researcher-award\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOutstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award (URA) program.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPunamiya\u0026nbsp;was named a runner-up for the prestigious award, while Abramson received an honorable mention among hundreds of applicants from universities across North America.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cra.org\/about\/awards\/outstanding-undergraduate-researcher-award\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award program\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;recognized eight awardees in 2026, along with eight runners-up, nine finalists, and over 200 honorable mentions from thousands of applications.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvancing\u0026nbsp;Robotics Research\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPunamiya\u0026nbsp;knew early on that he\u0026nbsp;didn\u2019t\u0026nbsp;want to wait until starting his Ph.D. to do meaningful and impactful robotics research.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPunamiya\u0026nbsp;joined the Robot Learning and Reasoning Lab (RL2) directed by Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;Danfei\u0026nbsp;Xu. While there, he contributed to the lab\u2019s Meta-sponsored\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-algorithm-teaches-robots-through-human-perspective\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEgoMimic\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;project, which trains robots to perform human tasks using recordings captured by Meta\u2019s Project Aria research glasses.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPunamiya\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;also the first author of a paper accepted to the 2025 Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS),\u0026nbsp;one of the world\u2019s most prestigious artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning conferences.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRyan is the strongest undergraduate I\u0027ve worked with,\u201d Xu said, \u201cincluding students who went on to Stanford, Berkeley, and leadership roles in major tech companies.\u0026nbsp;He\u2019s\u0026nbsp;already\u0026nbsp;operating\u0026nbsp;at the level of a strong\u0026nbsp;third-year Ph.D.\u0026nbsp;student.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPunamiya\u0026nbsp;said it was a challenge to balance his undergraduate coursework with his research in Xu\u2019s lab.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou get out how much you put in,\u201d\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cI built my class schedule to give myself as much time to do research as possible. It also boils down to having the right research mentors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201c(Xu) never saw me as an\u0026nbsp;undergrad\u0026nbsp;who\u2019s\u0026nbsp;just there to do grunt work. I was\u0026nbsp;fortunate\u0026nbsp;he saw my curiosity and cultivated me as a researcher.\u0026nbsp;That\u2019s\u0026nbsp;really how\u0026nbsp;you get more\u0026nbsp;undergrads\u0026nbsp;motivated to research \u2014 giving them the chance to be independent and explore ideas of their own.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPunamiya\u0026nbsp;said his work in Xu\u2019s lab has already helped him identify the research areas he wants to focus on as he considers his next steps. He will continue developing generalized training models for robots using human data so they can perform tasks instantly upon deployment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The amount of data needed to train a robot is difficult to obtain even for top industry companies,\u0022 he said. \u0022We have embodied robot data available in billions of humans. With the advent of extended reality devices, we can get a scalable source of diverse interactions within environments.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPunamiya\u0026nbsp;graduated in December and recently started an internship at Nvidia. He mentioned he has been accepted into several Ph.D. programs, including Georgia Tech, and he is choosing where to continue his research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s the first time my research has been\u0026nbsp;acknowledged\u0026nbsp;externally by the robotics community,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s\u0026nbsp;good to\u0026nbsp;know\u0026nbsp;the problem\u0026nbsp;I\u2019m\u0026nbsp;working on is important, and that motivates me. Robotics is an exciting field. We are doing things now that two years ago were difficult to do.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearching Inclusion in Computing Education\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAbramson conducts research in the People-Agents Research for Computing Education (PARCE) Laboratory under the mentorship of\u0026nbsp;Pedro Guillermo Feij\u00f3o-Garc\u00eda, a faculty member\u0026nbsp;in the School of Computing Instruction. He and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Olufisayo Omojokun, nominated her for the award.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer work focuses on the intersection of computing education and human-AI interaction, where she\u2019s been exploring ways to create more equitable technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is such a huge milestone, and I couldn\u0027t be prouder of Summer,\u201d Feij\u00f3o-Garc\u00eda said. \u201cMentoring her for almost two years has been an amazing experience.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAbramson has received the Georgia Tech President\u2019s Undergraduate Research Award (PURA) twice, which supports her research exploring how user-centered design curricula can help address attrition among women in computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019ve had the amazing opportunity to pursue research at the intersection of student identity, community belonging, and how we can build tools that support our diverse student population,\u201d Abramson said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDr. Pedro and I have a goal to build community through a human-first approach, and I could not be more grateful for his support and guidance in my own journey. The CRA highlights the best of what the computing discipline has to offer, and I am incredibly honored for our work to be recognized.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAbramson will spend the summer researching how user-centered design curricula can help promote confidence, belonging, and retention for women in computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENominees for the PURA program were recognized for contributing to multiple research projects, authoring or coauthoring papers, presenting at conferences, developing widely used software artifacts, and supporting their communities as teaching assistants, tutors, and mentors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESchool of Computing Instruction Communications Officer Emily Smith contributed to this story.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMain Photo: Ryan Punamiya works with a robot during the 2025 International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Atlanta. Photo by Terence Rushin\/College of Computing.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERyan\u0026nbsp;Punamiya\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;(CS 2025)\u0026nbsp;and \u003Cstrong\u003ESummer Abramson\u003C\/strong\u003E, a third-year\u0026nbsp;computational\u0026nbsp;media student, have been honored by the Computing Research Association (CRA) through its 2025\u20132026 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cra.org\/about\/awards\/outstanding-undergraduate-researcher-award\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOutstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award (URA) program.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPunamiya\u0026nbsp;was named a runner-up for the prestigious award, while Abramson received an honorable mention among hundreds of applicants from universities across North America.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cra.org\/about\/awards\/outstanding-undergraduate-researcher-award\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award program\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;recognized eight awardees in 2026, along with eight runners-up, nine finalists, and over 200 honorable mentions from thousands of applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Ryan Punamiya (CS 2025) and Summer Abramson, a third-year computational media student, have been honored by the Computing Research Association (CRA) through its 2025\u20132026 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award (URA) program. "}],"uid":"36530","created_gmt":"2026-03-13 14:57:26","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 12:51:21","author":"Nathan Deen","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679613":{"id":"679613","type":"image","title":"ICRA-2025_P9A0421-Enhanced-NR.jpg","body":null,"created":"1773413856","gmt_created":"2026-03-13 14:57:36","changed":"1773413856","gmt_changed":"2026-03-13 14:57:36","alt":"Ryan Punamiya","file":{"fid":"263795","name":"ICRA-2025_P9A0421-Enhanced-NR.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/13\/ICRA-2025_P9A0421-Enhanced-NR.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/13\/ICRA-2025_P9A0421-Enhanced-NR.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":133995,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/13\/ICRA-2025_P9A0421-Enhanced-NR.jpg?itok=r8p0C5IW"}}},"media_ids":["679613"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"193158","name":"Student Competition Winners (academic, innovation, and research)"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"101271","name":"Computing Research Association"},{"id":"22861","name":"undergraduate research awards"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688962":{"#nid":"688962","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Chef and Humanitarian Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s Receives Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EWorld-renowned chef Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s believes that food is a powerful tool in \u201cbuilding longer tables\u201d and forging unity in times of crisis. In pursuit of this mission, he founded World Central Kitchen in 2010.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003ETraveling to war zones and natural disasters around the world, Andr\u00e9s and the organization have delivered nearly one billion meals to those in need. For his efforts, the internationally recognized humanitarian received the 2026 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage, which is awarded to individuals who, by standing up for moral principles at great personal risk, have made a significant impact on society.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EThe prize honors the legacy of Ivan Allen Jr., former mayor of Atlanta and a Georgia Tech alumnus known for his courageous leadership during the Civil Rights Movement. It was presented to Andr\u00e9s by President \u00c1ngel Cabrera.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u201cHe has turned culinary skill into a weapon against despair, and his unwavering stand for human dignity amid gunfire and rubble demonstrates unparalleled courage. He confronts famine, war, and disaster with unyielding moral conviction \u2014 not from an office thousands of miles away from harm, but right at the heart of our most pressing global crises,\u201d Cabrera said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EGrowing up in Spain, Andr\u00e9s watched as his mother made the most of every ingredient between paychecks, and his father invited all who were hungry to their table. As a chef and a humanitarian, Andr\u00e9s feels that he embodies the ideals instilled in him at a young age.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u201cMy mother taught me to cook for the few and do it with love. From my father, I learned how to feed anyone who showed up; to care for the many. Those early lessons of the power of food to nurture a family, to take care of friends or people who you didn\u2019t know but that you were welcoming to your longer table anyway, became very important to me,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EAs a sailor in the Spanish Navy, Andr\u00e9s traveled the world before eventually moving to New York City, where he began his career as a cook at Eldorado Petit, a Spanish restaurant. Now, among the most decorated chefs in the culinary industry, as a two-star Michelin recipient, the Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s Group operates 40 restaurants. In 2010, when tragedy struck Haiti in the form of a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake, Andr\u00e9s knew he wanted to do more to spread hope through food.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u201cWhen you go to many situations \u2014 war, hurricanes, or other disasters \u2014 you realize that food and water are one of the most important things that you can do for people. It is the very basis of starting to look to the future with hope,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EWorld Central Kitchen was operational in Ukraine within hours of the Russian invasion in 2022, and missions continue today both in Ukraine and Gaza. In 2025, Andr\u00e9s was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden. To an audience inside the Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech, Andr\u00e9s explained how World Central Kitchen has illuminated the goodness of humanity as thousands of restaurant employees, volunteers, and community members join together in missions across the globe.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u201cWhen I go to emergencies, I always realize that in the worst moments of humanity, the best of humanity always shows up. I often feel selfish because when I go, I come back so fulfilled by the hope and empathy I find everywhere,\u201d Andr\u00e9s said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EAlong with his humanitarian work, Andr\u00e9s is an Emmy Award-winning television personality,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENew York Times\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;bestselling author, and educator, and has twice been named one of\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ETime\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;magazine\u2019s \u201c100 Most Influential People.\u201d Despite the accolades, his friends say that Andr\u00e9s is most fulfilled when he is helping others; at the event, he was introduced by Jon Riberas, chairman of Gonvarri Steel Industries in Madrid, and Enric Sala, founder and leader of Pristine Seas, a global conservation initiative.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u201cWhen people think of Jos\u00e9, they often think of the world-class chef. The man who brought the soul of Spain to the American table. But those of us who know him well, and those who have seen him in the mud of a hurricane or the dust of a conflict, know that the apron is merely the armor,\u201d Sala said. \u201cIvan Allen Jr. risked his career because he knew that the human condition Georgia Tech talks about is not just a theory, it\u2019s a responsibility. Jos\u00e9 lives that same responsibility.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EDuring a fireside chat with Cabrera, Andr\u00e9s also spoke about the importance of reducing food waste, the role of food in driving economic development for communities, and investing in programs that train people to staff kitchens and restaurants.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EPrevious recipients of the award include John Lewis, Andrew Young, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Christiane Amanpour.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EThanks to a generous grant from the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Foundation, the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage includes a $100,000 stipend.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s, chef, humanitarian, and founder of World Central Kitchen, received the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage for his leadership in providing meals to communities in crisis. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s, chef, humanitarian, and founder of World Central Kitchen, received the\u0026nbsp;Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage\u0026nbsp;for his leadership in providing meals to communities in crisis.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s, chef, humanitarian, and founder of World Central Kitchen, received the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage for his leadership in providing meals to communities in crisis.\u00a0"}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-17 13:34:36","changed_gmt":"2026-03-20 00:33:37","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679699":{"id":"679699","type":"video","title":"Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s Receives the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage ","body":null,"created":"1773966777","gmt_created":"2026-03-20 00:32:57","changed":"1773966777","gmt_changed":"2026-03-20 00:32:57","video":{"youtube_id":"lGKWr7Z_y2Q","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lGKWr7Z_y2Q"}},"679653":{"id":"679653","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera presents the 2026 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage to Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s. ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera presents the 2026 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage to Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s. Photo by Joya Chapman.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773754627","gmt_created":"2026-03-17 13:37:07","changed":"1773754627","gmt_changed":"2026-03-17 13:37:07","alt":"Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera presents the 2026 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage to Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s. ","file":{"fid":"263836","name":"DSC_8723-web.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/DSC_8723-web.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/DSC_8723-web.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1133700,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/17\/DSC_8723-web.jpg?itok=luB2iaiC"}}},"media_ids":["679699","679653"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ivanallenprize.gatech.edu\/","title":"Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage"},{"url":"https:\/\/wck.org\/story\/","title":"World Central Kitchen"}],"groups":[{"id":"58132","name":"Ivan Allen Prize"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"178928","name":"Ivan Allen Jr Prize for Social Courage"},{"id":"9895","name":"Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage"},{"id":"182236","name":"President \u00c1ngel Cabrera"},{"id":"167378","name":"special events"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689061":{"#nid":"689061","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Guide to Spring Break in Atlanta","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFlowers are beginning to blossom around campus, and that means spring break is\u0026nbsp;almost here. For those staying on campus during the break, March 23 \u2013 27,\u0026nbsp;don\u2019t\u0026nbsp;fret \u2014 Atlanta\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;a vibrant city full of exciting events and activities for students to enjoy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheer On the Yellow Jackets\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESoftball\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. Duke University\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFriday, March 20, 6 p.m. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESaturday, March 21, 3 p.m. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESunday, March 22, 4 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. University of West Georgia\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETuesday, March 24, 6 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. Georgia State University\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWednesday, March 25, 6 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESwimming and Diving\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENCAA Men\u2019s Swimming Championships\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMarch 25 \u2013 28, all day\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBaseball\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. NC State\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFriday, March 27, 7 p.m. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESaturday, March 28, 7 p.m. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESunday, March 29, 3 p.m. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWomen\u2019s Tennis\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. Penn State\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESunday, March 22, noon\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. University of Miami\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFriday, March 27, 4 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. Florida State University\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESunday, March 29, noon\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMen\u2019s Tennis\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. Stanford University\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThursday, March 26, 4 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. University of California\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESaturday, March 28, 11 a.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003Evs. The Citadel\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESaturday, March 28, 4 p.m. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETrack and Field\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYellow Jacket Invitational\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMarch 20 \u2013 21, all day\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EView the complete schedule of athletic events at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ramblinwreck.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eramblinwreck.com\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta Science Festival\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: Through March 21, 10 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m. each day\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: Various locations\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen to all, the Atlanta Science Festival\u0026nbsp;showcases\u0026nbsp;a variety of events in and around metro Atlanta, ranging from hydroponics and the physics of rock \u2019n\u2019 roll to theater productions and escape rooms.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantasciencefestival.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMore information\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHope Beneath the Wings Community Mural Paint Day\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: March 21, 10 a.m. \u2013 noon\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: All Saints\u2019 Episcopal Church\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin artist\u0026nbsp;Aysha\u0026nbsp;Pennerman\u0026nbsp;for a community\u0026nbsp;paint\u0026nbsp;day. Wear clothes you\u0026nbsp;don\u2019t\u0026nbsp;mind getting paint on, because\u0026nbsp;it\u2019s\u0026nbsp;you who will be helping to paint the mural! The project invites the community to meditate on the concept of hope.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.midtownatl.com\/do\/hope-mural-by-aysha-pennerman-community-paint-day\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMore information\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUSA Jigsaw Nationals and Convention\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: March 27 \u2013 29, 8:30 a.m. \u2013 6:30 p.m. each day\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: Atlanta Convention Center at America\u2019s Mart\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe USA Jigsaw Nationals showcase speed puzzling, including individual competitors racing to finish 500-piece puzzles, and teams of four competing to finish two 1,000-piece puzzles. The event also features casual puzzling and seminars for attendees.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usajigsaw.org\/2026-nationals\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMore information\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELittle 5 Fest\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: March 28, 1 \u2013 8 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: Little 5 Points\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnjoy live music, skate ramps, and vendors at the Little 5 Fest. The\u0026nbsp;festival\u0026nbsp;features a variety of bands from Atlanta and beyond, along with a range of food and drinks to try. Come experience the culture of one of Atlanta\u2019s most eclectic and lively neighborhoods.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.little5pointsofficial.com\/l5fest\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMore information\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u2018Spinning a Yarn\u2019: The Exhibit\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: Through April 4, during museum hours\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSpinning a yarn\u201d is typically associated with women\u2019s storytelling, and this exhibit invites attendees to contemplate how stories are shaped by memory and imagination, rather than in a linear fashion. The exhibit\u0026nbsp;showcases\u0026nbsp;a variety of artistic mediums, including oil painting.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.adamatl.org\/spinningayarn\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMore information\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESee the Sights\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether\u0026nbsp;you\u2019re\u0026nbsp;an Atlanta native or new to the city, there are plenty of attractions for you to fit into your spring break schedule.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.georgiaaquarium.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Aquarium\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.worldofcoca-cola.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EWorld of Coca-Cola\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/zooatlanta.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EZoo Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cfbhall.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECollege Football Hall of Fame\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/high.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHigh Museum of Art\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/malu\/index.htm\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMartin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantabg.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAtlanta Botanical Garden\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fernbankmuseum.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFernbank\u0026nbsp;Museum of Natural History\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETake a Hike\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs spring nears and the weather warms up, take a walk on the Beltline or enjoy a hike on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.atlantatrails.com\/hiking-trails\/atlantas-best-hiking-trails-our-top-10-favorite-hikes\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Etrails around the metro area\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"If you\u0027re staying in town for Spring Break, there are exciting events and activities to explore. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u0027re staying in town for Spring Break, there are exciting events and activities to explore.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"If you\u0027re staying in town for Spring Break, there are exciting events and activities to explore. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-03-19 18:28:27","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 20:47:31","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679697":{"id":"679697","type":"image","title":"_WestGA_031026_DK-35.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA rainbow forms over Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium as Georgia Tech baseball takes on West Georgia. Photo by Danny Karnik\/Georgia Tech Athletics.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773952304","gmt_created":"2026-03-19 20:31:44","changed":"1773952304","gmt_changed":"2026-03-19 20:31:44","alt":"Rainbow over Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium","file":{"fid":"263889","name":"_WestGA_031026_DK-35.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/_WestGA_031026_DK-35.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/_WestGA_031026_DK-35.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":21995835,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/19\/_WestGA_031026_DK-35.jpg?itok=eDqgQvLZ"}}},"media_ids":["679697"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"167637","name":"spring break"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:stucomm@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EEllie Jenkins\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688745":{"#nid":"688745","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Mentor Spotlight: Alison Sizer \u2014 From Apple and Nike to Supporting Founders ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAlison Sizer started as someone who loved innovation and problem-solving. For 14 years, she worked at Apple and Nike, where she learned how to blend innovation with customer insight: how to spot patterns, translate problems into opportunities, and turn ideas into strategies for growth.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApplying what she\u2019d learned along the way, Sizer started Growth Impact to support startups and stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. As a part of her business, she created partnerships and networks between the U.S. and South Africa, bridging the gap between startups and corporations to encourage co-creation and pilot projects. During this time, she saw how much early\u2011stage founders needed clear frameworks, honest guidance, and hands\u2011on support.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI started Growth Impact to support startups and stakeholders such as venture studios, investors, and accelerators. I support early-stage startups in finding product-market fit, customer understanding, go-to-market strategy, and business model development,\u201d she said. \u201cI also help startups with fundraising readiness and enterprise readiness. I support stakeholders by helping to assess viability, and de-risk new ventures, as well as connecting startups to enterprises.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEventually, her work brought her in contact with Georgia Tech. She was working with a South African innovation lab to enable pilot projects between startups and enterprises with the goal of facilitating the co-creation of digital solutions, which led her to Rahul Saxena, director of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECREATE-X\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESizer said she reached out to see if any potential CREATE-X startups or enterprises would want to connect to the companies she was working with in South Africa.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOver the last few years, there\u0027s been quite a lot of interest in Georgia Tech and Atlanta in terms of a tech and innovation hub in the U.S., and there\u0027s a lot of investment happening too, in both the city of Atlanta and in Georgia Tech, in entrepreneurship and innovation and technology,\u201d she said. \u201cI think it\u0027s an interesting market.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce connected, she kept meeting Georgia Tech founders, many from CREATE\u2011X.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuietly, she began helping where she could, making introductions for CREATE-X founders outside of Atlanta. For Augment Health, she made investor and potential partner introductions. For the founder of Strapt, she made introductions to investors, shared market insight, and highlighted the company in her own newsletter, which has an audience of innovation ecosystem stakeholders, including more investors. And for ZenVR, she made a connection to WeFunder for funding, which resulted in $250,000 raised. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollaborating with CREATE-X on a webinar, Sizer also taught \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/launch\/startup-launch\u0022\u003EStartup Launch\u003C\/a\u003E alumni about customer understanding and segmentation, value proposition, and other topics for health and wellness founders. Beyond connecting, Sizer shaped mindsets.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn her business, one founder she worked with was building non\u2011toxic performance apparel for women \u2014 a product selling through Amazon, REI, and even the U.S. military. The founder had ambition but struggled to balance DTC (direct to consumer) sales, retail, and B2B opportunities. Sizer helped her analyze her data, identify her real early adopters, and rebuild her value proposition and messaging. With a clearer customer understanding and stronger brand direction, the founder revamped her website and refined her pitch.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI love that thrill of them being excited about implementing some of the ideas and things we talk about, seeing the growth in their business, and the positive change in their business. That really excites me,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAtlanta is an enterprise-heavy city with Fortune 500 companies, SaaS (Software as a Service) companies, and a growing biotech sector. The startup ecosystem is growing in Atlanta, and with that comes advantages.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI have noticed that there\u0027s a lot of strong support for Atlanta and Georgia entrepreneurs from other Atlanta and Georgia entrepreneurs,\u201d she said. \u201cThey all support each other.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the years, Sizer has advised or mentored over 100 startups and built investor connections. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy business is Growth Impact, because growth and impact are part of my core values. I\u0027m glad to give back and support early entrepreneurs, sharing knowledge, tools, and resources,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a founder, Sizer went through her own learning curve. When she first launched her company, she assumed her target customers would be venture capital firms and spent months talking to pre\u2011seed and seed investors, only to discover that VCs either didn\u2019t fund the kind of operational support she offered or they expected founders to pay for it themselves. Meanwhile, the founders she spoke with said they needed her help but didn\u2019t have the budget. She said it was a classic chicken\u2011and\u2011egg problem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI said, OK, this is not my target customer. The target customer is the startup,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u0027s where the pivot point was for me.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003EThat shift reshaped her entire business and reinforced the same advice she now gives students: Talk to customers, listen deeply, and don\u2019t be afraid to adjust when the data points you in a new direction.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe officially joined the CREATE\u2011X mentor community last year to help more founders, guiding them in finding product-market fit, and understanding who needs this solution and why.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne thing Sizer emphasized, however, is the need for founders to continue to take initiative and be resilient in the face of challenges.\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cA mentor can guide you or ask the right questions, but the founder has to find the path,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EReady to build something real?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeet mentors like Alison Sizer in Startup Launch, where you can develop a startup to solve real-world problems and build entrepreneurial skills. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/airtable.com\/appaTqlTL2zQkXBBR\/pagdkIvjQbvDbSD2F\/form\u0022\u003EApply to Startup Launch\u003C\/a\u003E today; applications close Tuesday, March 17.\u003Cbr\u003EInterested in mentoring?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWant to mentor and support the next generation of Georgia Tech founders?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFill out our \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/airtable.com\/app1gcnb0ECVgdEF4\/pag4g0e8mxV9qWn8k\/form\u0022\u003Eengagement form\u003C\/a\u003E to join CREATE\u2011X\u2019s mentor network.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EAlison Sizer brings more than a decade of innovation experience from Apple and Nike to her work supporting early\u2011stage founders through her company, Growth Impact. After building cross\u2011continental partnerships between the U.S. and South Africa, she connected with CREATE-X and began advising founders on customer insight, product\u2011market fit, and go\u2011to\u2011market strategy. She has since made high\u2011impact investor and partner introductions, taught customer discovery frameworks, and helped entrepreneurs rethink their value propositions through data\u2011driven guidance. Now an official CREATE\u2011X mentor, Sizer continues to champion founders by sharing tools, networks, and honest insight to help them build resilient, customer\u2011focused ventures.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Alison Sizer, a former Apple and Nike strategist turned founder of Growth Impact, now mentors CREATE\u2011X startups by helping them deepen customer understanding, refine value propositions, and build pathways to growth through her global innovation network."}],"uid":"36436","created_gmt":"2026-03-05 15:20:30","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 19:25:50","author":"bdurham31","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679530":{"id":"679530","type":"image","title":"Alison Sizer ","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThe image shows Alison Sizer \u0026nbsp;standing in a modern, well\u2011lit workspace with open shelving, plants, and a large \u201cLet\u2019s...\u201d wall sign visible in the background. She\u0027s wearing a light gray blazer over a teal top and is posed with one arm resting on a wooden table. The setting includes contemporary furniture, natural light from large windows, and a neutral, inviting color palette that conveys a professional yet relaxed environment.\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1772722040","gmt_created":"2026-03-05 14:47:20","changed":"1772723141","gmt_changed":"2026-03-05 15:05:41","alt":"Alison Sizer in a blazer standing in a modern workspace with wooden tables, open shelving, and natural light.","file":{"fid":"263703","name":"Alison-TRT_3162.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/05\/Alison-TRT_3162.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/05\/Alison-TRT_3162.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":103307,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/05\/Alison-TRT_3162.jpeg?itok=lco1cU-e"}}},"media_ids":["679530"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appaTqlTL2zQkXBBR\/pagdkIvjQbvDbSD2F\/form","title":"Apply to Startup Launch"},{"url":"https:\/\/airtable.com\/app1gcnb0ECVgdEF4\/pag4g0e8mxV9qWn8k\/form","title":"Mentor with CREATE-X"}],"groups":[{"id":"583966","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:breanna.durham@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBreanna Durham\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarketing Strategist\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689055":{"#nid":"689055","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Hundreds of Hungry Mosquitoes, a Student Volunteer and a Mesh Suit","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFour minutes is too long.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-right zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724202\/original\/file-20260316-57-8quhxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Man\u0026apos;s arm with multiple pink raised welts\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724202\/original\/file-20260316-57-8quhxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=237\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724202\/original\/file-20260316-57-8quhxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=827\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724202\/original\/file-20260316-57-8quhxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=827\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724202\/original\/file-20260316-57-8quhxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=827\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724202\/original\/file-20260316-57-8quhxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1040\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724202\/original\/file-20260316-57-8quhxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1040\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724202\/original\/file-20260316-57-8quhxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1040\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ESome of Chris Zuo\u2019s itchy results after his session with the mosquitoes.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EDavid L. Hu\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s the note undergraduate Chris Zuo sent me along with photos of countless mosquito bites on his bare skin. This full-body massacre wasn\u2019t the result of a camping trip gone awry. He\u2019d spent that limited amount of time in a room with 100 hungry mosquitoes while wearing nothing but a mesh suit we thought would have protected him.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThus began our three-year journey trying to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/sciadv.adz7063\u0022\u003Eunderstand the behavior\u003C\/a\u003E of a deceivingly simple insect, the mosquito. It may sound like a professor\u2019s sadistic plan, but, really, we did everything by the book. Our university\u2019s institutional review board approved our procedures, making sure Chris was safe and not coerced in any way. The mosquitoes were disease-free and native to our home state of Georgia. And this session resulted in the first and last bites anyone received during the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBesides my role as torturer of students, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=pydtIvYAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=ao\u0022\u003EI\u003C\/a\u003E am an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/press.princeton.edu\/our-authors\/hu-david\u0022\u003Eauthor\u003C\/a\u003E and professor at Georgia Tech with over 20 years of experience studying the movement of animals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMosquitoes are the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/deadliest-animals\u0022\u003Eworld\u2019s most dangerous animal\u003C\/a\u003E. The diseases they carry, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/malaria\u0022\u003Efrom malaria\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/dengue-and-severe-dengue\u0022\u003Eto dengue\u003C\/a\u003E, cause over \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/vector-borne-diseases\u0022\u003E700,000 deaths per year\u003C\/a\u003E. More people have died from mosquitoes than wars.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe world \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/09\/29\/health\/mosquitoes-malaria-strategies-house.html\u0022\u003Espends US$22 billion per year\u003C\/a\u003E on billions of liters of insecticides, millions of pounds of larvicides, and millions of insecticide-treated bed nets \u2013 all to fight a tiny insect that weighs 10 times less than a grain of rice and has only \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0250381\u0022\u003E200,000 neurons\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet, people are losing the war on mosquitoes. These insects are evolving to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aam8327\u0022\u003Ethrive in cities\u003C\/a\u003E and spreading disease \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.pt.2017.11.006\u0022\u003Emore rapidly with climate change\u003C\/a\u003E. How can such simple animals find us so easily?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScientists know mosquitoes have terrible eyesight and depend on chemical cues to make up for it. Knowing what attracts a mosquito, though, isn\u2019t enough to predict its behavior. You can know a heat-seeking missile is drawn to heat, but you still won\u2019t know how a missile works.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnter Chris and his self-sacrifice in the mosquito room. By tracking the flight of many mosquitoes around him, we hoped to determine how they made decisions in response to his presence. Understanding how mosquitoes respond to humans is a first step to controlling them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow Mosquitoes Zero In On Their Meal\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOut of 3,500 species of mosquitoes, over 100 species are classified as anthropophilic, meaning they prefer humans for lunch. Certain species of mosquitoes will find the one person among a whole herd of cattle in order to suck human blood.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is quite a feat considering mosquitoes are weak flyers. They stop flying in a slight \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1242\/jeb.178905\u0022\u003E2-3 mph breeze\u003C\/a\u003E, the same air speed generated by a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1242\/jeb.178905\u0022\u003Ehorse\u2019s swinging tail\u003C\/a\u003E. In calmer conditions, mosquitoes use their minuscule brains to follow \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10905-022-09796-2\u0022\u003Ehuman heat, moisture and odors\u003C\/a\u003E that are carried downwind.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECarbon dioxide, the byproduct of respiration of all living animals, is particularly attractive. Mosquitoes notice carbon dioxide as well as you notice the stink of a full dumpster, detecting it up to 30 feet (9 meters) away from a host, where concentrations dip to a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/jmedent\/44.4.617\u0022\u003Efew parts per million\u003C\/a\u003E, like a few cups of dye in an Olympic-size pool.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724198\/original\/file-20260316-57-vumrcy.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Black outline of a G and T in left panel, in right panel black squiggles showing flight paths of mosquitoes around the letters\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724198\/original\/file-20260316-57-vumrcy.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724198\/original\/file-20260316-57-vumrcy.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=320\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724198\/original\/file-20260316-57-vumrcy.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=320\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724198\/original\/file-20260316-57-vumrcy.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=320\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724198\/original\/file-20260316-57-vumrcy.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=402\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724198\/original\/file-20260316-57-vumrcy.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=402\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724198\/original\/file-20260316-57-vumrcy.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=402\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ELike superfans, mosquitoes are drawn to the dark outline of the Georgia Tech logo.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EDavid L. Hu, Georgia Tech\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMosquitoes\u2019 vision isn\u2019t much help as they hunt for their next blood meal. Their two compound eyes have several hundred individual lenses called ommatidia, each about the width of a human hair. They produce a somewhat blurry mosaic or pixelated image. Due to the laws of optics, mosquitoes can discern an adult-size human only at a few meters away. With their vision alone, they cannot distinguish a human from a small tree. They inspect every dark object.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EGathering the Flight-Path Data\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe challenge with studying mosquito flight is that, like trash-talking teenagers, most of what they do is meaningless noise. Mosquitoes flying in an empty room are largely making random changes in flight speed and direction. We needed many flight trajectories to cut through the noise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724200\/original\/file-20260316-57-z0f39m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A man lying on the ground, and shown in two images on a laptop screen in the foreground\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724200\/original\/file-20260316-57-z0f39m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724200\/original\/file-20260316-57-z0f39m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=326\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724200\/original\/file-20260316-57-z0f39m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=326\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724200\/original\/file-20260316-57-z0f39m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=326\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724200\/original\/file-20260316-57-z0f39m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=410\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724200\/original\/file-20260316-57-z0f39m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=410\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724200\/original\/file-20260316-57-z0f39m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=410\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EIn a mesh suit, Chris Zuo awaits the mosquitoes while questioning his life choices.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EDavid L. Hu, Georgia Tech\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of our collaborators, University of California, Riverside, biologist \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=XOveQssAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=ao\u0022\u003ERing Card\u00e9\u003C\/a\u003E, told us that back in the 1980s, scientists conducted \u201cbite studies\u201d by stripping down to their underwear and slapping the mosquitoes that landed on their naked bodies. He said nudity prevented confounding variables, such as the color of a shirt\u2019s fabric.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChris and I looked at each other. Sit naked and wait to become mosquito prey? Instead, we designed the mesh suit that Chris originally wore into the mosquito room. But after seeing Chris\u2019 bites, we needed a better way.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstead, Chris washed long-sleeved clothes in unscented detergent and wore gloves and a face mask. Fully protected, Chris only had to stand and wait, while a cloud of mosquitoes swarmed him.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced us to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/photonicsentry.com\/\u0022\u003EPhotonic Sentry\u003C\/a\u003E, a camera that simultaneously tracks hundreds of flying insects in a room. It records 100 frames per second at 5 mm resolution for a space like a large studio apartment. In just a few hours, Chris and another graduate student, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=pJLlOo8AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=sra\u0022\u003ESoohwan Kim\u003C\/a\u003E, generated more mosquito flight data than had previously been measured in human history.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/A4WUw-ZCoFk?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003E100 mosquitoes flying around Chris Zuo for 10 minutes. Only a fraction of tracks are shown.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=YJlkBuAAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=ao\u0022\u003EJ\u00f6rn Dunkel\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=3V6dgsoAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=sra\u0022\u003EChenyi Fei\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=89drxM4AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0026amp;oi=sra\u0022\u003EAlex Cohen\u003C\/a\u003E, our mathematician collaborators at MIT, told us that the geometry of Chris\u2019 body was still too complicated to study the mosquitoes\u2019 reactions. Mathematicians excel at simplifying complex problems to their essence. Chenyi suggested we go easy on Chris \u2013 why not replace him with a simple dummy: a black Styrofoam ball on a stick combined with a canister of carbon dioxide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the next two years, Chris filmed the mosquitoes circling the Styrofoam dummies mercilessly. Then he vacuumed up the mosquitoes, trying not to get bitten.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EDeciphering the Trajectories\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA mosquito flies like you would an airplane: it turns left or right, accelerates or hits the brakes. We determined a mosquito\u2019s flight behavior as a function of its speed, location and direction with respect to the target as the first step in creating our model of their behavior.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur confidence in our behavioral rules increased as we read more trajectories, ultimately using 20 million mosquito positions and speeds. This idea of incorporating observations to support a mathematical hypothesis is a 200-year-old idea called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medium.com\/@chonghankhai\/bayesian-thinking-in-everyday-life-bf82fe2ab0af\u0022\u003EBayesian inference\u003C\/a\u003E. We illustrated the mosquito behavior we\u2019d observed in a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/acoh64.github.io\/mosquito_app\/\u0022\u003Eweb application\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724564\/original\/file-20260318-57-2aq2gy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u00224 panels showing trajectory of a mosquito in the presence of no target, visual target, CO2 target or both.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724564\/original\/file-20260318-57-2aq2gy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724564\/original\/file-20260318-57-2aq2gy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=169\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724564\/original\/file-20260318-57-2aq2gy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=169\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724564\/original\/file-20260318-57-2aq2gy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=169\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724564\/original\/file-20260318-57-2aq2gy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=212\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724564\/original\/file-20260318-57-2aq2gy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=212\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/724564\/original\/file-20260318-57-2aq2gy.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=212\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EA mosquito\u2019s flight changes with the kind of target presented.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EDavid L. Hu\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing our model, we showed how different targets cause mosquitoes to fly differently. Visual targets cause fly-bys, where mosquitoes fly past the target. Carbon dioxide causes double takes, where mosquitoes slow down near the target. The combination of a visual cue and carbon dioxide creates high-speed orbiting patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUp until now, we had used only experiments with Styrofoam spheres to train our model. The true test was whether it could predict mosquito flights around a human. Chris returned to the chamber, this time wearing all white clothes and a black hat, turning himself into a bull\u2019s-eye. Our model successfully predicted the distribution of mosquitoes around him. We identified zones of danger, where there was a high chance of a mosquito circling around him.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPredicting mosquito behavior is a first step toward outsmarting them. In mosquito-prone areas, people design \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1404493\u0022\u003Ehouses with features to prevent mosquitoes\u003C\/a\u003E from following human cues and entering. Similarly, mosquito traps suck in mosquitoes when they get too close but still allow between \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/jme\/tjz243\u0022\u003E50% and 90% of mosquitoes to escape\u003C\/a\u003E. Many of these designs are based on trial and error. We hope that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/sciadv.adz7063\u0022\u003Eour study provides a more precise tool\u003C\/a\u003E for designing methods for mosquito capture or deterrence.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen Chris\u2019 mother attended his master\u2019s degree defense, I asked her how she felt about her son using himself as bait for mosquitoes. She said she was very proud. So am I \u2013 and not just because I\u2019m relieved Chris didn\u2019t ask me to take his place in the mosquito chamber.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/278486\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hundreds-of-hungry-mosquitoes-a-student-volunteer-and-a-mesh-suit-helped-us-figure-out-how-these-deadly-insects-reach-their-targets-278486\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy tracking the flight of many mosquitoes around a student volunteer, we hoped to determine how they made decisions in response to his presence. Understanding how mosquitoes respond to humans is a first step to controlling them.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By tracking the flight of many mosquitoes around a student volunteer, we hoped to determine how they made decisions in response to his presence. Understanding how mosquitoes respond to humans is a first step to controlling them."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 16:52:12","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 16:57:10","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679694":{"id":"679694","type":"image","title":"Trajectories of mosquitoes flying around a human target. David L. Hu, Georgia Tech","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETrajectories of mosquitoes flying around a human target. David L. Hu, Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773939193","gmt_created":"2026-03-19 16:53:13","changed":"1773939193","gmt_changed":"2026-03-19 16:53:13","alt":"Trajectories of mosquitoes flying around a human target. David L. Hu, Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"263886","name":"file-20260317-57-gbcbz7.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260317-57-gbcbz7.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260317-57-gbcbz7.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2835625,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260317-57-gbcbz7.png?itok=JyAHkg79"}}},"media_ids":["679694"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hundreds-of-hungry-mosquitoes-a-student-volunteer-and-a-mesh-suit-helped-us-figure-out-how-these-deadly-insects-reach-their-targets-278486","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"142761","name":"IRIM"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"108731","name":"School of Mechanical Engineering"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/david-hu-204122\u0022\u003EDavid Hu\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biology, Adjunct Professor of Physics, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689054":{"#nid":"689054","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Develop Biodegradable, Plant\u2011Based Packaging From Natural Fibers","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=YpxchNkAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EJie Wu\u003C\/a\u003E, an engineering graduate student, was studying a type of striking white beetle found in Southeast Asia and attempting to figure out how to mimic its brilliant color when an unexpected discovery upended the experiment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJie and I had been hoping to identify naturally occurring whitening pigments that could be used in paper and paints. The beetle\u2019s white exoskeleton is made from a compound called chitin, which is a type of carbohydrate \u2013 one that is also commonly found in crab and lobster shells.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, Jie extracted chitin nanofibers from crab shells obtained from food waste that are chemically the same as those found in the white beetles. But instead of creating a white material as intended, Jie produced dense, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/bm501416q\u0022\u003Etransparent films\u003C\/a\u003E. The nanofibers more readily assembled in tightly packed films than in the porous structures Jie desired.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-right zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721546\/original\/file-20260303-57-g7dkdj.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Two white beetles\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721546\/original\/file-20260303-57-g7dkdj.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=237\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721546\/original\/file-20260303-57-g7dkdj.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=882\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721546\/original\/file-20260303-57-g7dkdj.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=882\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721546\/original\/file-20260303-57-g7dkdj.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=882\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721546\/original\/file-20260303-57-g7dkdj.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1109\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721546\/original\/file-20260303-57-g7dkdj.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1109\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/721546\/original\/file-20260303-57-g7dkdj.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1109\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAn attempt to mimic the striking white color of \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ECyphochilus\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003E beetles led researchers to a unique discovery.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cyphochilus#\/media\/File:Cyphochilus_beetles.jpg\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EOlimpia1lli\/Wikimedia Commons\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003E, \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\u0022license\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ECC BY-NC-ND\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn a whim, Jie measured the rate at which oxygen passed through the film. The result was astonishing: The barrier allowed less oxygen through than many existing packaging plastics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat serendipitous finding in 2014 shifted \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=3qOG6PUAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Emy team\u003C\/a\u003E of engineering students\u2019 focus from color to packaging. We asked whether natural materials could rival the performance of common plastics. In the years since, our team has used this discovery to create biodegradable films that offer a more sustainable and effective alternative to plastic packaging.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EChallenges of Plastic Packaging\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlastic packaging is commonly used to protect food, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. These plastics keep out moisture and oxygen from the air, so products stay \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/C2012-0-00246-3\u0022\u003Efresh and safe\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost packaging has several layers that work together to keep air out, but these layers hinder reuse and recycling efforts. As a result, most of this plastic barrier packaging is discarded to landfills as single-use materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany researchers have sought alternatives that are renewable, biodegradable or recyclable, yet just as effective. At Georgia Tech, my team of students and post-docs has spent more than a decade tackling this problem. This journey began with that beetle.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBuilding a Better Barrier\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/chitin\u0022\u003EChitin\u003C\/a\u003E is widely available in food waste and mushrooms, and it is used in products such as water filters and wound dressing. However, our early attempts to scale up the film technology based on the beetle-inspired experiment failed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2018, the team made an important leap forward by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acssuschemeng.8b01536\u0022\u003Eusing spray coating to create layers\u003C\/a\u003E of chitin and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.niehs.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/agents\/sya-nano\u0022\u003Ecellulose nanomaterials\u003C\/a\u003E. Cellulose, like chitin, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/cellulose\u0022\u003Eis a carbohydrate polymer\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 a chain of repeating carbohydrate units \u2013 and it is obtained from plants. These abundant natural materials have opposite electric charges, which led to better barrier performance when we combined them than either material alone.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this approach, the team sprayed down a layer of chitin, followed by a layer of cellulose. The opposite charges between the chitin and cellulose created a long-range attraction between them that binds the layers to create a dense interface.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELater, in collaboration with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=BrXwtO4AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EMeisha Shofner\u003C\/a\u003E, a materials scientist, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/harris\u0022\u003ETequila Harris\u003C\/a\u003E, a mechanical engineer, other students showed these coatings could be applied with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsami.2c09925\u0022\u003Escalable, roll-to-roll techniques\u003C\/a\u003E. Roll-to-roll coating methods are preferred in industry because the coatings are applied continuously to large rolls of a substrate material, such as paper or other biodegradable plastics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EBNyjJFB8Zc?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ERoll-to-roll coating allows manufacturers to easily apply thin layers of coating to a base material, called a substrate.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill, humidity posed a major challenge, limiting any real-world applications. Moisture swelled the film, allowing more oxygen to sneak through.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen came another breakthrough. In 2024, another collaborator, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=ZILIcOwAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003ENatalie Stingelin\u003C\/a\u003E, and I discovered that two common food components resisted water vapor when combined: carboxymethylcellulose \u2013 which is found in ice cream, for example \u2013 and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/compound\/Citric-Acid\u0022\u003Ecitric acid\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe result was a film that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/D4SU00425F\u0022\u003Ehindered the transmission of moisture\u003C\/a\u003E. The citric acid reacted with the cellulose to form cross-links, which are chemical junctions that bind the cellulose molecules. Once bound, they reduced the film\u2019s moisture uptake.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe integrated this new discovery with the prior work by combining the citric acid and cellulose, and then casting this mixture as a freestanding film by coating it onto a substrate, such as chitin.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, that formulation did not have strong oxygen barrier properties because it did not contain the highly crystalline cellulose nanomaterials from our first film. Our team\u2019s most \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsapm.5c02909\u0022\u003Erecent achievement\u003C\/a\u003E, from October 2025, combines the above innovations. As a result, we\u2019ve created a bio-based film that is an excellent barrier to both oxygen and moisture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710006\/original\/file-20251220-56-gcunhe.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A diagram showing a rectangle representing a biodegradable film, with an arrow deflecting off of it showing how it keeps out water vapor and oxygen. On the right is the film.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710006\/original\/file-20251220-56-gcunhe.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710006\/original\/file-20251220-56-gcunhe.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=300\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710006\/original\/file-20251220-56-gcunhe.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=300\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710006\/original\/file-20251220-56-gcunhe.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=300\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710006\/original\/file-20251220-56-gcunhe.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=377\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710006\/original\/file-20251220-56-gcunhe.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=377\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710006\/original\/file-20251220-56-gcunhe.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=377\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAn oxygen and water vapor barrier film composed of blended cellulose and chitin.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EJ. Carson Meredith\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EScaling Up Production\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen cast into thin films, these components self-organize into a dense structure that resists swelling with water vapor. Tests showed that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsapm.5c02909\u0022\u003Eeven at 80% humidity\u003C\/a\u003E the film matched or outperformed common packaging plastics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe materials are renewable, biodegradable and compostable. Our team has filed several patent applications, and we are working with industry partners to develop specific packaging uses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne challenge that applications face is a limited supply of the bio-based components compared to the high volume of conventional plastics. Like any new material, it would take time for manufacturers to develop supply chains as the films begin to be used.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, the market demand for purified chitin is small right now, as it is used in niche applications, such as wound dressings and water filtration. Due to its variety of uses, packaging could increase that market demand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe next challenge is scaling up from experimental films to industrial production, which would likely take several years. The team is exploring roll-to-roll coating techniques and working with industry partners to integrate these materials into existing packaging lines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPolicy and consumer demand will also play a role. As governments push for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-stop-at-plastic-bags-and-straws-the-case-for-a-global-treaty-banning-most-single-use-plastics-109857\u0022\u003Ebans on single-use plastics\u003C\/a\u003E and companies set sustainability targets, bio-based films could become part of the solution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe story of this breakthrough reminds me that science often advances through unexpected results. From a failed attempt to mimic a beetle\u2019s color to a promising alternative to plastic, this research shows how curiosity can lead to solutions for some of our biggest challenges.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/271262\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/researchers-develop-biodegradable-plant-based-packaging-from-natural-fibers-new-research-271262\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJie Wu, an engineering graduate student, was studying a type of striking white beetle found in Southeast Asia and attempting to figure out how to mimic its brilliant color when an unexpected discovery upended the experiment.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Jie Wu, an engineering graduate student, was studying a type of striking white beetle found in Southeast Asia and attempting to figure out how to mimic its brilliant color when an unexpected discovery upended the experiment."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-17 16:36:23","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 16:43:18","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679693":{"id":"679693","type":"image","title":"Plastic packaging fills up landfills \u2013 engineers are working on a bio-based alternative that could replace the kind shown here. tuk69tuk\/iStock via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPlastic packaging fills up landfills \u2013 engineers are working on a bio-based alternative that could replace the kind shown here. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/white-plastic-bag-on-black-background-royalty-free-image\/1211742906?phrase=plastic%2Bwrap\u0022\u003Etuk69tuk\/iStock via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773938347","gmt_created":"2026-03-19 16:39:07","changed":"1773938347","gmt_changed":"2026-03-19 16:39:07","alt":"Plastic packaging fills up landfills \u2013 engineers are working on a bio-based alternative that could replace the kind shown here. tuk69tuk\/iStock via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"263885","name":"file-20260303-57-8ad4eq.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260303-57-8ad4eq.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260303-57-8ad4eq.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":128914,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260303-57-8ad4eq.jpg?itok=MPEKR6lv"}}},"media_ids":["679693"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/researchers-develop-biodegradable-plant-based-packaging-from-natural-fibers-new-research-271262","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"117301","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute"},{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1240","name":"School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/j-carson-meredith-2540164\u0022\u003EJ. Carson Meredith\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689043":{"#nid":"689043","#data":{"type":"news","title":"When GPS Lies at Sea: How Electronic Warfare is Threatening Ships and Their\u00a0Crews","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe war in Iran has dominated headlines with reports of airstrikes and escalating military activity. But beyond the immediate devastation, the conflict has also illuminated a quieter and rapidly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/03\/06\/science\/gps-jamming-ships-planes-iran-war\u0022\u003Egrowing danger\u003C\/a\u003E: the vulnerability of ships, and the people who operate them, to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/gps-attacks-near-iran-are-wreaking-havoc-on-delivery-and-mapping-apps\/\u0022\u003Edisruption of their navigation systems\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModern shipping depends heavily on GPS satellite navigation. When those signals are disrupted or manipulated, ships can suddenly appear to their navigators and to other ships to be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/gps-spoofing-is-scrambling-ships-in-the-strait-of-hormuz\/\u0022\u003Esomewhere they are not\u003C\/a\u003E. In some cases, vessels have been shown jumping across maps, drifting miles inland or appearing to circle in impossible patterns. The risk is even higher in war zones, where ships could be misdirected into harm\u2019s way.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=tK7pFfsAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Ecybersecurity researcher\u003C\/a\u003E studying critical infrastructure and maritime systems, I investigate how digital threats affect ships and the people who operate them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo understand the threat from GPS disruptions, it helps to first understand \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/electronics.howstuffworks.com\/gadgets\/travel\/gps.htm\u0022\u003Ehow GPS works\u003C\/a\u003E. GPS systems determine location using signals from satellites orbiting Earth. A receiver calculates its position by measuring how long those signals take to arrive. Because those signals are extremely weak by the time they reach Earth, they are relatively easy to disrupt.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EGPS Jamming and Spoofing\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn GPS jamming, an attacker blocks the real satellite signals by overwhelming them with electromagnetic noise so receivers cannot detect them. When this happens, navigation systems lose their position. On a phone, it might look like the map freezing or jumping erratically.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGPS spoofing is more sophisticated. Instead of blocking signals, an attacker transmits fake satellite signals designed to mimic the real ones. The receiver accepts these signals and gives a false location. Imagine driving north while your navigation system suddenly insists you are traveling south. The receiver is not malfunctioning; it has simply been tricked.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723498\/original\/file-20260312-57-iw7xin.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022a map showing numerous red dots and three red circles\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723498\/original\/file-20260312-57-iw7xin.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723498\/original\/file-20260312-57-iw7xin.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=352\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723498\/original\/file-20260312-57-iw7xin.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=352\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723498\/original\/file-20260312-57-iw7xin.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=352\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723498\/original\/file-20260312-57-iw7xin.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=442\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723498\/original\/file-20260312-57-iw7xin.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=442\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723498\/original\/file-20260312-57-iw7xin.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=442\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ECircular loops in the Black Sea show spoofed ship positions recorded in January 2025. The red points represent false GPS locations broadcast during spoofing events, making vessels appear to move in perfect circles on tracking maps even though they were actually hundreds of miles away. These disruptions are widely believed to be linked to electronic interference in the region during the war in Ukraine. Image created with data from Spire Global.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/spire.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EAnna Raymaker\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor mariners at sea, spoofing can have serious consequences. In the open ocean, there are few landmarks to verify a ship\u2019s position if GPS behaves strangely. Nearshore, the margin for error disappears: Water depths change quickly and hazards are everywhere, especially in narrow routes like the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gcaptain.com\/electronic-fog-of-war-gps-spoofing-distorts-ship-traffic-near-hormuz\/\u0022\u003EStrait of Hormuz near Iran\u003C\/a\u003E, where reports indicate that GPS spoofing has been happening since the outbreak of the war. Because ships are large and slow to maneuver, even small navigation errors can lead to groundings or collisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERed Sea Grounding\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne example came in May 2025. While transiting the Red Sea, the container ship MSC Antonia began showing positions far from its true location. To navigators onboard, this looked like they had jumped hundreds of miles south on the map and started moving in a new direction. This caused the crew to become disoriented, and the ship eventually ran aground. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lloydslist.com\/LL1154079\/MSC-ship-sails-through-Bab-el-Mandeb-for-first-time-since-Red-Sea-exodus\u0022\u003EThe grounding\u003C\/a\u003E caused millions of dollars in damage and required a salvage operation that lasted over five weeks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723496\/original\/file-20260312-63-pvsmuu.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022two copies of a map side-by-side showing a body of water\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723496\/original\/file-20260312-63-pvsmuu.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723496\/original\/file-20260312-63-pvsmuu.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=280\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723496\/original\/file-20260312-63-pvsmuu.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=280\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723496\/original\/file-20260312-63-pvsmuu.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=280\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723496\/original\/file-20260312-63-pvsmuu.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=352\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723496\/original\/file-20260312-63-pvsmuu.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=352\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723496\/original\/file-20260312-63-pvsmuu.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=352\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EMSC Antonia route comparison showing the vessel\u2019s true route and grounding point, left, versus the spoofed route, right. The red and black lines on the right show the spoofed locations where the ship appeared to suddenly jump to on GPS. These lines confused the navigators and caused them to run aground. Images created with data from VT Explorer.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.vtexplorer.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EAnna Raymaker\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIncidents like the MSC Antonia are not isolated. Vessel-tracking data has revealed clusters of ships suddenly appearing in impossible locations, sometimes far inland or moving in perfect circles. These anomalies are increasingly linked to GPS spoofing in regions experiencing geopolitical conflict.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut GPS interference is only one type of cyber threat facing ships. Industry reports have documented \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lrqa.com\/en\/insights\/articles\/notpetya-ransomware-attack-on-maersk-key-learnings\/\u0022\u003Eransomware attacks\u003C\/a\u003E on shipping companies, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/industrialcyber.co\/supply-chain-security\/lab-dookhtegan-cyberattack-on-iranian-oil-tankers-traced-to-supply-chain-compromise-of-fanavas-infrastructure\/\u0022\u003Esupply chain compromises\u003C\/a\u003E and increasing concern about the security of onboard control systems, including engines, propulsion and navigation equipment. As ships become more connected through satellite internet systems and remote monitoring tools, the number of potential entry points for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/industrialcyber.co\/reports\/maritime-cyber-incidents-jump-103-as-cytur-warns-smart-ships-under-fire-urges-secure-by-design-overhaul\/\u0022\u003Ecyberattacks\u003C\/a\u003E is growing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMilitary vessels often address these risks through \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usni.org\/magazines\/proceedings\/2024\/august\/address-risks-starlink-fleet\u0022\u003Estricter network segregation\u003C\/a\u003E and regular training exercises such as \u201cmission control\u201d drills, which simulate operating with compromised communications or navigation systems. Some cybersecurity experts argue that similar practices could help commercial shipping improve its resilience, although smaller crews and limited resources make adopting military-style procedures more difficult.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMariners\u2019 Experiences\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuch of the public discussion around maritime cybersecurity focuses on technical vulnerabilities in ship systems. But an equally important piece of the puzzle is the people who must interpret and respond to these technologies when something goes wrong.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn recent research, my colleagues and I interviewed professional mariners about their experiences with cyber incidents and their preparedness to respond to them. The interviews included navigation officers, engineers and other crew members responsible for ship systems. What emerged was a consistent picture: Cyber threats are increasingly occurring at sea, but crews are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3719027.3744816\u0022\u003Enot well prepared\u003C\/a\u003E to deal with them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany mariners told us that their cybersecurity training focused almost entirely on email phishing and USB drives. That kind of training may make sense in an office, but it does little to prepare crews for cyber incidents on a ship, where navigation and control systems can be the primary targets. As a result, many mariners lack clear guidance on how cyberattacks might affect the equipment they rely on every day.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723678\/original\/file-20260312-57-scxx0h.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022a man inside the bridge of a large ship at sea looks through binoculars with another ship in the background\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723678\/original\/file-20260312-57-scxx0h.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723678\/original\/file-20260312-57-scxx0h.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=384\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723678\/original\/file-20260312-57-scxx0h.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=384\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723678\/original\/file-20260312-57-scxx0h.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=384\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723678\/original\/file-20260312-57-scxx0h.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=483\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723678\/original\/file-20260312-57-scxx0h.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=483\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/723678\/original\/file-20260312-57-scxx0h.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=483\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ECommercial shipping crews are generally poorly trained to deal with cyber threats.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/navigation-bridge-of-oil-tanker-with-watch-officer-royalty-free-image\/520707142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EMenzhiliyAnantoly\/iStock via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis becomes a problem when ship systems begin behaving strangely. Mariners described GPS showing incorrect positions or temporarily losing signal. It can be difficult to tell whether these incidents are equipment failures or signs of cyber interference.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven when mariners suspect something may be wrong, many ships lack clear procedures for responding to cyber incidents. Participants frequently described situations where they would have to improvise if navigation or other digital systems behaved unexpectedly. Unlike equipment failures, which have established checklists and procedures, cyber incidents often fall into a gray area where responsibility and response plans are unclear.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother challenge is the gradual disappearance of traditional navigation practices. For centuries, mariners relied on paper charts and celestial navigation to determine their position. Today, most commercial vessels rely almost entirely on electronic systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany mariners noted that paper charts are not available onboard, and celestial navigation is rarely practiced. If GPS or electronic navigation systems fail, crews have limited ways to independently verify their position. One mariner bluntly described the risk to us: \u201cIf you don\u2019t have charts and you\u2019re being spoofed, you\u2019re a little screwed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SKTdOhUUKDA?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EA crew member explains the instruments on the bridge of an oil tanker.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIncreasing Connectivity, Increasing Risk\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the same time, ships are becoming more connected. Modern vessels increasingly rely on satellite internet systems like Starlink and remote monitoring tools to manage operations and communicate with shore.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile these technologies improve efficiency, they also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-navy\/2024\/09\/03\/how-navy-chiefs-conspired-to-get-themselves-illegal-warship-wi-fi\/\u0022\u003Eexpand the vulnerability of ship systems\u003C\/a\u003E. Connectivity that allows crews to send emails or access the internet can also provide pathways for cyber threats to reach onboard systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs GPS spoofing becomes more common in regions experiencing geopolitical conflict, the challenges mariners described in our research are becoming harder to ignore. The oceans may seem vast and empty, but the digital signals that guide modern ships travel through crowded and contested space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen those signals are manipulated, the consequences do not stay confined to military systems. They reach the commercial vessels that carry most of the world\u2019s goods and the crews responsible for navigating them safely.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/278181\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/when-gps-lies-at-sea-how-electronic-warfare-is-threatening-ships-and-their-crews-278181\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe war in Iran has dominated headlines with reports of airstrikes and escalating military activity. But beyond the immediate devastation, the conflict has also illuminated a quieter and rapidly growing danger: the vulnerability of ships, and the people who operate them, to disruption of their navigation systems.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The war in Iran has dominated headlines with reports of airstrikes and escalating military activity. But beyond the immediate devastation, the conflict has also illuminated a quieter and rapidly growing danger."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-12 12:50:22","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 15:28:16","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679688":{"id":"679688","type":"image","title":"Cyberattacks like GPS spoofing threaten oil supertankers and cargo ships at sea. Ping Shu\/Moment via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECyberattacks like GPS spoofing threaten oil supertankers and cargo ships at sea. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/deck-of-supertanker-royalty-free-image\/1445476540\u0022\u003EPing Shu\/Moment via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773933826","gmt_created":"2026-03-19 15:23:46","changed":"1773933826","gmt_changed":"2026-03-19 15:23:46","alt":"Cyberattacks like GPS spoofing threaten oil supertankers and cargo ships at sea. Ping Shu\/Moment via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"263879","name":"file-20260312-69-xu1md2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260312-69-xu1md2_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260312-69-xu1md2_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":162557,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/19\/file-20260312-69-xu1md2_0.jpg?itok=dj8-Nb4J"}}},"media_ids":["679688"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/when-gps-lies-at-sea-how-electronic-warfare-is-threatening-ships-and-their-crews-278181","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1255","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/anna-raymaker-2620037\u0022\u003EAnna Raymaker\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. Candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682575":{"#nid":"682575","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Hidden Costs of Trade Wars: Expert Analysis on Economic Shifts","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom grocery bills to gas prices and the cost of new cars, Americans are feeling the ripple effects of an increasingly uncertain global economy. According to Georgia Tech experts, while headlines often focus on trade wars or interest rates, the underlying forces at play \u2014 and their long-term consequences \u2014 are more complex.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERecession Risks and the Current Economic Climate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/hsu\/index.html\u0022\u003EAlex Hsu\u003C\/a\u003E, a finance professor in the Scheller College of Business, suggests we may already be in a mild recession, even if it\u2019s not yet officially declared.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRecession declarations are always made after the fact,\u201d he explains. \u201cA real-time clue? Look at crude oil prices \u2014 they\u2019re down 15% this year, often signaling slowing economic activity.\u201d That\u2019s similar to the trend seen in the early months of the 2008 recession, when oil prices dropped sharply as demand weakened. Despite this, the labor market remains strong in certain sectors, creating a mixed economic picture that\u2019s tough to navigate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf you\u2019re trying to get a sense of where the economy is going,\u201d Hsu adds, \u201cwatch weekly jobless claims and energy prices \u2014 those are among the most timely indicators available.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow Tariffs Are (and Aren\u2019t) Affecting Prices\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/expert\/tibor-besedes\u0022\u003ETibor Besede\u0161\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the School of Economics, likens tariffs to sales taxes \u2014 costs added at the border that can eventually be passed to consumers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf a $20,000 imported car is hit with a 25% tariff, someone\u2019s paying that $5,000,\u201d he says. Besede\u0161 warns that most tariffs imposed since early 2025 affect nearly all imported goods \u2014 cars, electronics, toys, and clothing. He cites past studies showing tariffs on Chinese goods were largely paid by U.S. consumers, and this time may be no different. \u201cChina has told its firms not to lower prices. So, we should expect prices here to rise.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, the recent agreement that began on May 14 between the U.S. and China on a new trade deal has offered a moment of relief. As part of the agreement, both countries will temporarily ease tariffs announced in April for 90 days, with China suspending its planned 34% tariff on U.S. goods, while maintaining a 10% tariff during the pause. Similarly, the United States will suspend its 34% reciprocal tariff while keeping a 10% tariff in place.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s a welcome sign that hopefully trade tensions are subsiding and that after 90 days there will be a more permanent deal whereby the tariffs at least do not increase from these reduced levels,\u201d Besede\u0161 says. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to say anything more concrete but, overall, I take this as a positive sign that we may be stepping back from the brink of an all-out trade war and empty shelves in stores.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet even with signs of progress, uncertainty lingers. Hsu, while cautiously optimistic, adds that \u201cThe 90-day pause only prolongs the trade instability. Although it is a good sign that the administration seems willing to negotiate, businesses are still in a holding pattern until a more definitive resolution is reached.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Bigger Picture: Global Alliances and Economic Protectionism\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs countries reorient their trade relations in response to shifting U.S. policies, Besede\u0161 warns that the long-term consequences could leave the U.S. isolated on the global stage.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCountries are starting to look for alternative trading partners,\u0022 he says. \u201cIf the U.S. is not careful, it could lose its influence in global trade, leading to slower economic growth.\u201d He suggests that the growing shift toward regional trade blocs and alternative alliances \u2014 such as the EU-China partnership \u2014 could erode U.S. competitiveness.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHsu concurs, noting that global economic shifts, coupled with increasing tariffs, could exacerbate the risks of a financial crisis. \u201cPay attention to the credit market,\u201d he advises. \u201cWhen liquidity dries up, it can cause the financial system to freeze, leading to contagion.\u201d He notes that the Federal Reserve is closely monitoring these risks and still has a range of policy tools at its disposal to help stabilize the system in the event of a crisis.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Road Ahead\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs Americans navigate rising prices and economic uncertainty, these experts suggest focusing on fundamentals \u2014 energy prices, jobless claims, and the broader flow of trade and investment. Whether tariffs prove to be a temporary disruption or a lasting shift in global commerce, the trade policies of today are shaping the economic realities of tomorrow. And while the recent U.S.-China agreement marks a hopeful step, the full extent of its impact on consumers, businesses, and global relationships remains to be seen.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs Americans face rising prices at the pump, grocery store, and car dealership, Georgia Tech experts say the signals behind today\u2019s economic uncertainty go deeper than headlines suggest. Finance professor Alex Hsu points to falling crude oil prices and weekly jobless claims as timely indicators that may show the U.S. is already in a mild recession \u2014 even if it hasn\u0027t been officially declared. Meanwhile, economist Tibor Besede\u0161 explains how recent tariffs function like hidden taxes, raising consumer costs and risking long-term damage to U.S. global trade influence. A temporary U.S.-China trade truce offers short-term relief, but both experts warn that lasting instability and shifting global alliances could reshape the economy for years to come.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech experts unpack the hidden economic signals driving today\u2019s prices, trade tensions, and global uncertainty."}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2025-05-28 19:57:37","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:17:20","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-05-28T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-05-28T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677152":{"id":"677152","type":"image","title":"Trade Tensions","body":null,"created":"1748462265","gmt_created":"2025-05-28 19:57:45","changed":"1748462265","gmt_changed":"2025-05-28 19:57:45","alt":"America dollar and Yuan banknote with USA and China flags.","file":{"fid":"261021","name":"AdobeStock_1113957903.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/28\/AdobeStock_1113957903.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/28\/AdobeStock_1113957903.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6187109,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/28\/AdobeStock_1113957903.jpeg?itok=3Qa830Ko"}}},"media_ids":["677152"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/03\/11\/trade-agreements-keep-global-economies-stable","title":" Trade Agreements Keep Global Economies Stable"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"167003","name":"tariffs"},{"id":"180822","name":"Trade War"},{"id":"6605","name":"Trade"},{"id":"290","name":"Economy"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Media Relations\u0026nbsp;Representative\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:media@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emedia@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682869":{"#nid":"682869","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Nuclear Scientists Have Long Been Targets in Covert Ops \u2013 Israel Has Brought That Policy Out of the\u00a0Shadows","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAt least \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china\/how-much-damage-have-israeli-strikes-caused-irans-nuclear-programme-2025-06-16\/\u0022\u003E14 nuclear scientists\u003C\/a\u003E are believed to be among those killed in Israel\u2019s Operation \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/livecoverage\/israel-iran-strike-conflict\/card\/netanyahu-says-rising-lion-operation-will-last-as-many-days-as-it-takes--awFq7ykuEj4Mq9D4i0gw?gaa_at=eafs\u0026amp;gaa_n=ASWzDAg2Mjph3LQovyuPsnLTYLAVRZoFSXuoF4exuo_kc7d3RmpImSr6d2xJ\u0026amp;gaa_ts=6851d7f7\u0026amp;gaa_sig=ztPAqgbhbKOzEeSy-6O5L8OMsGbzS0KUQ-0WGvYhqLXH9AUIxSK7wuXNBYgjEAWOAB_B78lrssm5TeZsoK5kVw%3D%3D\u0022\u003ERising Lion\u003C\/a\u003E, launched on June 13, 2025, ostensibly to destroy or degrade Iran\u2019s nuclear program and military capabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeliberately targeting scientists in this way \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/x.com\/IDF\/status\/1933830006557286549\u0022\u003Eaims to disrupt\u003C\/a\u003E Iran\u2019s knowledge base and continuity in nuclear expertise. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2025\/6\/13\/israel-kills-nuclear-scientists-strikes-sites-in-iran-who-did-it-target\u0022\u003EAmong those assassinated\u003C\/a\u003E were \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/06\/13\/world\/middleeast\/iran-military-generals-killed-israel.html\u0022\u003EMohammad Mehdi Tehranchi\u003C\/a\u003E, a theoretical physicist and head of Iran\u2019s Islamic Azad University, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/06\/13\/world\/middleeast\/iran-military-generals-killed-israel.html\u0022\u003EFereydoun Abbasi-Davani\u003C\/a\u003E, a nuclear engineer who led Iran\u2019s Atomic Energy Organization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollectively, these experts in physics and engineering were \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/liveblog_entry\/idf-names-9-iranian-nuclear-scientists-killed-in-simultaneous-opening-strikes-says-they-advanced-efforts-toward-bomb\/\u0022\u003Epotential successors\u003C\/a\u003E to Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, widely regarded as the architect of the Iranian nuclear program, who \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/09\/18\/world\/middleeast\/iran-nuclear-fakhrizadeh-assassination-israel.html\u0022\u003Ewas assassinated\u003C\/a\u003E in a November 2020 attack many blame on Israel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs two \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/rachel-whitlark\u0022\u003Epolitical\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/jenna-jordan\u0022\u003Escientists\u003C\/a\u003E writing a book about state targeting of scientists as a counterproliferation tool, we understand well that nuclear scientists have been targeted since the nuclear age began. We have gathered data on nearly 100 instances of what we call \u201cscientist targeting\u201d from 1944 through 2025.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe most recent assassination campaign against Iranian scientists is different from many of the earlier episodes in a few key ways. Israel\u2019s recent attack targeted multiple nuclear experts and took place simultaneously with military force to destroy Iran\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/06\/14\/middleeast\/iran-israel-nuclear-facilities-damage-impact-intl\u0022\u003Enuclear facilities\u003C\/a\u003E, air defenses and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2025\/6\/15\/which-iranian-oil-and-gas-fields-has-israel-hit-and-why-do-they-matter\u0022\u003Eenergy infrastructure\u003C\/a\u003E. Also, unlike previous covert operations, Israel immediately \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/iran-explosions-israel-tehran-00234a06e5128a8aceb406b140297299\u0022\u003Eclaimed responsibility\u003C\/a\u003E for the assassinations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut our research indicates that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sup.org\/books\/politics\/leadership-decapitation\u0022\u003Etargeting\u003C\/a\u003E scientists may not be effective for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cornellpress.cornell.edu\/book\/9781501760341\/all-options-on-the-table\/\u0022\u003Ecounterproliferation\u003C\/a\u003E. While removing individual expertise may delay nuclear acquisition, targeting alone is unlikely to destroy a program outright and could even increase a country\u2019s desire for nuclear weapons. Further, targeting scientists may trigger blowback given concerns regarding \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.legitimacyasatarget.com\/books\/drones\/\u0022\u003Elegality and morality\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Policy With a Long History\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETargeting nuclear scientists began during World War II when Allied and Soviet forces \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ahf.nuclearmuseum.org\/ahf\/history\/alsos-mission\/\u0022\u003Eraced to capture\u003C\/a\u003E Nazi scientists, degrade Adolf Hitler\u2019s ability to build a nuclear bomb and use their expertise to advance the U.S. and Soviet nuclear programs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022FZnJE\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/FZnJE\/5\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn our data set, we classified \u201ctargeting\u201d as cases in which scientists were captured, threatened, injured or killed as nations tried to prevent adversaries from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Over time, at least four countries have targeted scientists working on nine national nuclear programs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe United States and Israel have allegedly carried out the most attacks on nuclear scientists. But the United Kingdom and Soviet Union have also been behind such attacks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, scientists working for the Egyptian, Iranian and Iraqi nuclear programs have been the most frequent targets since 1950. Since 2007 and prior to the current Israeli operation, 10 scientists involved in the Iranian nuclear program were killed in attacks. Other countries\u2019 nationals have also been targeted: In 1980, Mossad, Israel\u2019s intelligence service, allegedly bombed Italian engineer Mario Fiorelli\u2019s home and his firm, SNIA Techint, as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.routledge.com\/Two-Minutes-Over-Baghdad\/Bar-Joseph-Handel-Perlmutter\/p\/book\/9780714683478?srsltid=AfmBOor77WE0sofh2anZN3uhYqQXqnmPVKGo0Wqxo6Hnvj_Dd3mc2W2s\u0022\u003Ewarning to Europeans\u003C\/a\u003E involved in the Iraqi nuclear project.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiven this history, the fact that Israel attacked Iran\u2019s nuclear program is not itself surprising. Indeed, it has been a strategic goal of successive Israeli prime ministers to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chathamhouse.org\/2024\/09\/could-israels-attacks-hezbollah-open-way-strike-irans-nuclear-facilities\u0022\u003Eexperts had been warning\u003C\/a\u003E of the increased likelihood of an Israeli military operation since mid-2024, due to regional dynamics and Iranian nuclear development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center \u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A damaged car at the scene of explosion.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675434\/original\/file-20250619-62-x39kdh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675434\/original\/file-20250619-62-x39kdh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675434\/original\/file-20250619-62-x39kdh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675434\/original\/file-20250619-62-x39kdh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675434\/original\/file-20250619-62-x39kdh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=502\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675434\/original\/file-20250619-62-x39kdh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=502\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675434\/original\/file-20250619-62-x39kdh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=502\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThe wrecked cars in which four of Iran\u2019s nuclear scientists were assassinated in recent years are displayed on the grounds of a museum in Tehran in 2014.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/the-wrecked-cars-in-which-four-of-irans-nuclear-scientists-news-photo\/467875059?adppopup=true\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EScott Peterson\/Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy then, the balance of power in the Middle East had changed dramatically. Israel systematically degraded the leadership and infrastructure of Iranian proxies \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c7v7p9p0rn7o\u0022\u003EHamas\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aei.org\/articles\/israels-victory-in-lebanon\/\u0022\u003EHezbollah\u003C\/a\u003E. It \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/world\/2025\/06\/19\/iran-israel-conflict-history\/\u0022\u003Elater destroyed\u003C\/a\u003E Iranian air defenses around Tehran and near key nuclear installations. The subsequent fall of Syria\u2019s Assad regime \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/world\/assad-regimes-collapse-devastating-defeat-iran-rcna183369\u0022\u003Ecost Tehran another long-standing ally\u003C\/a\u003E. Together, these developments have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/06\/16\/world\/middleeast\/iran-military-defense.html\u0022\u003Esignificantly weakened Iran\u003C\/a\u003E, leaving it vulnerable to external attack and stripped of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/06\/13\/world\/middleeast\/iran-proxies-axis-hezbollah-israel.html\u0022\u003Eits once-feared proxy network\u003C\/a\u003E, which had been expected to retaliate on its behalf in the event of hostilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith its proxy \u201caxis of resistance\u201d defanged and conventional military capacity degraded, Iranian leadership may have thought that expanding its enrichment capability was its best bet going forward.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd in the months leading up to Israel\u2019s recent attack, Iran expanded its nuclear production capacity, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cn9yll5yjx5o\u0022\u003Emoving beyond 60% uranium enrichment\u003C\/a\u003E, a technical step just short of weapons-grade material. During Donald Trump\u2019s first term, the president \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/05\/08\/world\/middleeast\/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html\u0022\u003Ewithdrew the U.S.\u003C\/a\u003E from a multilateral nonproliferation agreement aimed at curbing Iran\u2019s nuclear program. After being reelected, Trump \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/in-talking-with-tehran-trump-is-reversing-course-on-iran-could-a-new-nuclear-deal-be-next-254770\u0022\u003Eappeared to change tack\u003C\/a\u003E by pursuing new diplomacy with Iran, but those talks have so far failed to deliver an agreement \u2013 and may be put on hold for the foreseeable future amid the war.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china\/iaea-board-declares-iran-breach-non-proliferation-duties-diplomats-say-2025-06-12\/\u0022\u003Edeclared Iran in non-compliance\u003C\/a\u003E with its nuclear-nonproliferation obligations. In response, Iran announced it was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/iran-nuclear-iaea-sanctions-728b811da537abe942682e13a82ff8bd\u0022\u003Efurther expanding its enrichment capacity\u003C\/a\u003E by adding advanced centrifuge technology and a third enrichment site.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven if the international community anticipated the broader attack on Iran, characteristics of the targeting itself are surprising. Historically, states have covertly targeted individual scientists. But the recent multiple-scientist attack occurred openly, with Israel taking responsibility, publicly indicating the attacks\u2019 purpose. Further, while it is not new for a country to use multiple counter-proliferation tools against an adversary over time, that Israel is using both \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/goodauthority.org\/news\/israel-june-2025-attack-on-iran-preemptive-or-preventive\/\u0022\u003Epreventive military force\u003C\/a\u003E against infrastructure and targeting scientists at once is atypical.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, such attacks against scientists are historically lower tech and low cost, with death or injury stemming from gunmen, car bombs or accidents. In fact, Abbasi \u2013 who was killed in the most recent attacks \u2013 survived a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2011\/07\/23\/world\/middleeast\/23iran.html#:%7E:text=acquire%20nuclear%20arms.-,Mr.,Mossad%20and%20the%20United%20States.\u0022\u003E2010 car bombing\u003C\/a\u003E in Tehran. There are outliers, however, including the Fakhrizadeh assassination, which featured a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/09\/18\/world\/middleeast\/iran-nuclear-fakhrizadeh-assassination-israel.html\u0022\u003Eremotely operated machine gun\u003C\/a\u003E smuggled into Iranian territory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIsrael\u2019s Logic In Going After Scientists\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhy target nuclear scientists?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn foreign policy, there are numerous tools available if one state aims to prevent another state from acquiring nuclear weapons. Alongside targeting scientists, there are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/journals\/international-organization\/article\/abs\/secret-success-of-nonproliferation-sanctions\/D0090E1163F6962CAD93BFF45A0C7C62\u0022\u003Esanctions\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov\/node\/328996\u0022\u003Ediplomacy\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09636412.2013.816122\u0022\u003Ecyberattacks\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09636412.2017.1331628\u0022\u003Emilitary force\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETargeting scientists may remove critical scientific expertise and impose costs that increase the difficulty of building nuclear weapons. Proponents argue that targeting these experts may undermine a state\u2019s efforts, deter it from continuing nuclear developments and signal to others the perils of supporting nuclear proliferation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECountries that target scientists therefore believe that doing so is an effective way to degrade an adversary\u2019s nuclear program. Indeed, the Israel Defense Forces \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/x.com\/IDF\/status\/1933830006557286549\u0022\u003Edescribed the most recent attacks\u003C\/a\u003E as \u201ca significant blow to the regime\u2019s ability to acquire weapons of mass destruction.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center \u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A man\u0026apos;s image appears on a street sign poster.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675440\/original\/file-20250619-62-u3vgl1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675440\/original\/file-20250619-62-u3vgl1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675440\/original\/file-20250619-62-u3vgl1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675440\/original\/file-20250619-62-u3vgl1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675440\/original\/file-20250619-62-u3vgl1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675440\/original\/file-20250619-62-u3vgl1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675440\/original\/file-20250619-62-u3vgl1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EPosters featuring images of Iranian nuclear scientists are displayed in Tehran, Iran, on June 14, 2025.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/posters-featuring-images-of-iranian-nuclear-scientists-news-photo\/2219349710?adppopup=true\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EFatemeh Bahrami\/Anadolu via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite Israel\u2019s focus on scientists as sources of critical knowledge, there may be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nti.org\/education-center\/facilities\/isfahan-esfahan-nuclear-technology-center-intc\/\u0022\u003Ethousands more\u003C\/a\u003E working inside Iran, calling into question the efficacy of targeting them. Further, there are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/brill.com\/view\/journals\/icla\/14\/4-5\/article-p789_7.xml\u0022\u003Elegal, ethical and moral concerns\u003C\/a\u003E over targeting scientists.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoreover, it is a risky option that may fail to disrupt an enemy nuclear program while sparking public outrage and calls for retaliation. This is especially the case if scientists, often regarded as civilians, are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/middle-east\/iran-news\/article-857593\u0022\u003Eelevated as martyrs\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETargeting campaigns may, as a result, reinforce domestic support for a government, which could then redouble efforts toward nuclear development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERegardless of whether targeting scientists is an effective counter-proliferation tool, it has been around since the start of the nuclear age \u2013 and will likely persist as part of the foreign policy toolkit for states aiming to prevent proliferation. In the case of the current Israeli conflict with Iran and its targeting of nuclear scientists, we expect the tactic to continue for the duration of the war and beyond.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/259263\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nuclear-scientists-have-long-been-targets-in-covert-ops-israel-has-brought-that-policy-out-of-the-shadows-259263\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAt least 14 nuclear scientists are believed to be among those killed in Israel\u2019s Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13, 2025, ostensibly to destroy or degrade Iran\u2019s nuclear program and military capabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"At least 14 nuclear scientists are believed to be among those killed in Israel\u2019s Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13, 2025, ostensibly to destroy or degrade Iran\u2019s nuclear program and military capabilities."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-06-24 14:35:34","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:17:15","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677269":{"id":"677269","type":"image","title":"Heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPortraits of Iranian military generals and nuclear scientists killed in Israel\u2019s June 13, 2025, attack are displayed on a sign as a plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/portraits-of-iranian-military-generals-and-nuclear-news-photo\/2219542580?adppopup=true\u0022\u003EAtta Kenare\/AFP via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1750778391","gmt_created":"2025-06-24 15:19:51","changed":"1750778391","gmt_changed":"2025-06-24 15:19:51","alt":"Heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran","file":{"fid":"261152","name":"file-20250619-62-2e3xmo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/24\/file-20250619-62-2e3xmo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/24\/file-20250619-62-2e3xmo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":437986,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/24\/file-20250619-62-2e3xmo.jpg?itok=MmGfs28N"}}},"media_ids":["677269"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nuclear-scientists-have-long-been-targets-in-covert-ops-israel-has-brought-that-policy-out-of-the-shadows-259263","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/jenna-jordan-2416124\u0022\u003EJenna Jordan\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor and associate chair, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/rachel-whitlark-2416125\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERachel Whitlark\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682802":{"#nid":"682802","#data":{"type":"news","title":"RNA Has Newly Identified Role: Repairing Serious DNA Damage to Maintain the\u00a0Genome","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/topicpage\/dna-damage-repair-mechanisms-for-maintaining-dna-344\/\u0022\u003EDNA is continually damaged\u003C\/a\u003E by sources both inside and outside your body. One especially severe form of damage called a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/topicpage\/repairing-double-strand-dna-breaks-14432332\/\u0022\u003Edouble-strand break\u003C\/a\u003E involves the severing of both strands of the DNA double helix.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDouble-strand breaks are among the most difficult forms of DNA damage for cells to repair because they disrupt the continuity of DNA and leave no intact template to base new strands on. If misrepaired, these breaks can lead to other mutations that make the genome unstable and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/2041-9414-1-15\u0022\u003Eincrease the risk of many diseases\u003C\/a\u003E, including cancer, neurodegeneration and immunodeficiency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECells primarily \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev-genet-051710-150955\u0022\u003Erepair double-strand breaks\u003C\/a\u003E by either rejoining the broken DNA ends or by using another DNA molecule as a template for repair. However, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/storicilab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Emy team\u003C\/a\u003E and I discovered that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-does-rna-know-where-to-go-in-the-city-of-the-cell-using-cellular-zip-codes-and-postal-carrier-routes-191155\u0022\u003ERNA, a type of genetic material\u003C\/a\u003E best known for its role in making proteins, surprisingly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-51457-9\u0022\u003Eplays a key role in facilitating the repair\u003C\/a\u003E of these harmful breaks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese insights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESealing a Knowledge Gap in DNA Repair\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI have spent the past two decades \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=8ZwKgNUAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Einvestigating the relationship\u003C\/a\u003E between RNA and DNA in order to understand how cells maintain genome integrity and how these mechanisms could be harnessed for genetic engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA long-standing question in the field has been whether RNA in cells helps keep the genome stable beyond acting as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/science\/ap-biology\/gene-expression-and-regulation\/transcription-and-rna-processing\/a\/overview-of-transcription\u0022\u003Ecopy of DNA\u003C\/a\u003E in the process of making proteins and a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.semcdb.2011.02.017\u0022\u003Eregulator of gene expression\u003C\/a\u003E. Studying how RNA might do this has been especially difficult due to its similarity to DNA and how fast it degrades. It\u2019s also technically challenging to tell whether the RNA is directly working to repair DNA or indirectly regulating the process. Traditional models and tools for studying DNA repair have for the most part focused on proteins and DNA, leaving RNA\u2019s potential contributions largely unexplored.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j6YaOqKORYY?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ERNA plays a key role in protein synthesis.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy team and I were curious about whether RNA might actively participate in fixing double-strand breaks as a first line of defense. To explore this, we used the gene-editing tool \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nobel-prize-for-chemistry-honors-exquisitely-precise-gene-editing-technique-crispr-a-gene-engineer-explains-how-it-works-147701\u0022\u003ECRISPR-Cas9\u003C\/a\u003E to make breaks at specific spots in the DNA of human and yeast cells. We then analyzed how RNA influences various aspects of the repair process, including efficiency and outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe found that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-51457-9\u0022\u003ERNA can actively guide the repair process\u003C\/a\u003E of double-strand breaks. It does this by binding to broken DNA ends, helping align sequences of DNA on a matching strand that isn\u2019t broken. It can also seal gaps or remove mismatched segments, further influencing whether and how the original sequence is restored.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, we found that RNA aids in double-strand break repair in both yeast and human cells, suggesting that its role in DNA repair is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-51457-9\u0022\u003Eevolutionary conserved\u003C\/a\u003E across species. Notably, even low levels of RNA were sufficient to influence the efficiency and outcome of repair, pointing to its broad and previously unrecognized function in maintaining genome stability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERNA in Control\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy uncovering RNA\u2019s previously unknown function to repair DNA damage, our findings show how RNA may directly contribute to the stability and evolution of the genome. It\u2019s not merely a passive messenger, but an active participant in genome maintenance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-right zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Diagram of DNA transcription, showing mRNA building from a template strand of DNA\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=237\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=750\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=750\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=750\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=942\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=942\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/673463\/original\/file-20250610-68-mu3egb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=942\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EOne type of RNA that has been effectively used in treatments is mRNA.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/illustration\/simple-diagram-of-transcription-elongation-royalty-free-illustration\/1256666027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EAldona\/iStock via Getty Images Plus\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese insights could help researchers develop new ways to target the genomic instability that underlies many diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Traditionally, treatments and gene-editing tools have focused almost exclusively on DNA or proteins. Our findings suggest that modifying RNA in different ways could also influence how cells respond to DNA damage. For example, researchers could design \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41419-022-05075-2\u0022\u003ERNA-based therapies\u003C\/a\u003E to enhance the repair of harmful breaks that could cause cancer, or selectively disrupt DNA break repair in cancer cells to help kill them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, these findings could \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12929-023-00943-1\u0022\u003Eimprove the precision of gene-editing technologies\u003C\/a\u003E like CRISPR by accounting for interactions between RNA and DNA at the site of the cut. This could reduce off-target effects and increase editing precision, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more effective gene therapies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are still many unanswered questions about how RNA interacts with DNA in the repair process. The evolutionary role that RNA plays in maintaining genome stability is also unclear. But one thing is certain: RNA is no longer just a messenger, it is a molecule with a direct hand in DNA repair, rewriting what researchers know about how cells safeguard their genetic code.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/256429\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/rna-has-newly-identified-role-repairing-serious-dna-damage-to-maintain-the-genome-256429\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EInsights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Insights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-06-17 00:43:34","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:17:05","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677239":{"id":"677239","type":"image","title":"Double-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDouble-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/human-dna-structure-with-glass-helix-destroyed-royalty-free-image\/1486775339\u0022\u003EVictor Golmer\/iStock via Getty Images Plus\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1750121134","gmt_created":"2025-06-17 00:45:34","changed":"1750121134","gmt_changed":"2025-06-17 00:45:34","alt":"Double-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly","file":{"fid":"261120","name":"file-20250610-56-ibwiiz.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250610-56-ibwiiz.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250610-56-ibwiiz.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":106718,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250610-56-ibwiiz.jpg?itok=JJGhK1dx"}}},"media_ids":["677239"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/rna-has-newly-identified-role-repairing-serious-dna-damage-to-maintain-the-genome-256429","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/francesca-storici-2391930\u0022\u003EFrancesca Storici\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682797":{"#nid":"682797","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How Was the Wheel Invented?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImagine you\u2019re a copper miner in southeastern Europe in the year 3900 B.C.E. Day after day you haul copper ore through the mine\u2019s sweltering tunnels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ve resigned yourself to the grueling monotony of mining life. Then one afternoon, you witness a fellow worker doing something remarkable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith an odd-looking contraption, he casually transports the equivalent of three times his body weight on a single trip. As he returns to the mine to fetch another load, it suddenly dawns on you that your chosen profession is about to get far less taxing and much more lucrative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat you don\u2019t realize: You\u2019re witnessing something that will change the course of history \u2013 not just for your tiny mining community, but for all of humanity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/669226\/original\/file-20250521-86-2c6okj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/669226\/original\/file-20250521-86-2c6okj.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022AI-generated image of a wheeled cart inside a mine tunnel.\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn illustration of what the original mine carts used in the Carpathian mountains may have looked like in 3900 B.C.E. Kai James via DALL\u00b7E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite the wheel\u2019s immeasurable impact, no one is certain as to who invented it, or when and where it was first conceived. The hypothetical scenario described above is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cup.columbia.edu\/book\/the-wheel\/9780231173384\u0022\u003Ebased on a 2015 theory\u003C\/a\u003E that miners in the Carpathian Mountains \u2013 in present-day Hungary \u2013 first invented the wheel nearly 6,000 years ago as a means to transport copper ore.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe theory is supported by the discovery of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ri.abtk.hu\/images\/letoltes_publ\/bondar.maria\/Bondar_Acta_2018_dec_102_tetelhez.pdf\u0022\u003Emore than 150 miniaturized wagons\u003C\/a\u003E by archaeologists working in the region. These pint-sized, four-wheeled models were made from clay, and their outer surfaces were engraved with a wickerwork pattern reminiscent of the basketry used by mining communities at the time. Carbon dating later revealed that these wagons are the earliest known depictions of wheeled transport to date.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis theory also raises a question of particular interest to me, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=CdazOWQAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Ean aerospace engineer\u003C\/a\u003E who studies the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/kai-james\u0022\u003Escience of engineering design\u003C\/a\u003E. How did an obscure, scientifically naive mining society discover the wheel, when highly advanced civilizations, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/25148110\u0022\u003Esuch as the ancient Egyptians\u003C\/a\u003E, did not?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA controversial idea\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt has long been assumed that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/2841649\u0022\u003Ewheels evolved from simple wooden rollers\u003C\/a\u003E. But until recently no one could explain how or why this transformation took place. What\u2019s more, beginning in the 1960s, some researchers started to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/ojoa.12142\u0022\u003Eexpress strong doubts\u003C\/a\u003E about the roller-to-wheel theory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter all, for rollers to be useful, they require flat, firm terrain and a path free of inclines and sharp curves. Furthermore, once the cart passes them, used rollers need to be continually brought around to the front of the line to keep the cargo moving. For all these reasons, the ancient world \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1098\/rsos.240373\u0022\u003Eused rollers sparingly\u003C\/a\u003E. According to the skeptics, rollers were too rare and too impractical to have been the starting point for the evolution of the wheel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut a mine \u2013 with its enclosed, human-made passageways \u2013 would have provided favorable conditions for rollers. This factor, among others, compelled my team to revisit the roller hypothesis.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA turning point\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe transition from rollers to wheels requires two key innovations. The first is a modification of the cart that carries the cargo. The cart\u2019s base must be outfitted with semicircular sockets, which hold the rollers in place. This way, as the operator pulls the cart, the rollers are pulled along with it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis innovation may have been motivated by the confined nature of the mine environment, where having to periodically carry used rollers back around to the front of the cart would have been especially onerous.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe discovery of socketed rollers represented a turning point in the evolution of the wheel and paved the way for the second and most important innovation. This next step involved a change to the rollers themselves. To understand how and why this change occurred, we turned to physics and computer-aided engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESimulating the wheel\u2019s evolution\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo begin \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1098\/rsos.240373\u0022\u003Eour investigation\u003C\/a\u003E, we created a computer program designed to simulate the evolution from a roller to a wheel. Our hypothesis was that this transformation was driven by a phenomenon called \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyeducation.ca\/encyclopedia\/Mechanical_advantage\u0022\u003Emechanical advantage\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d This same principle allows pliers to amplify a user\u2019s grip strength by providing added leverage. Similarly, if we could modify the shape of the roller to generate mechanical advantage, this would amplify the user\u2019s pushing force, making it easier to advance the cart.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur algorithm worked by modeling hundreds of potential roller shapes and evaluating how each one performed, both in terms of mechanical advantage and structural strength. The latter was used to determine whether a given roller would break under the weight of the cargo. As predicted, the algorithm ultimately converged upon the familiar wheel-and-axle shape, which it determined to be optimal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/666635\/original\/file-20250508-56-xsvmkr.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/666635\/original\/file-20250508-56-xsvmkr.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022This diagram shows twelve illustrations, progressing from images of rollers to a wheel-and-axle structure.\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA computer simulation of the evolution from a roller to a wheel-and-axle structure. Each image represents a design evaluated by the algorithm. The search ultimately converges upon the familiar wheel-and-axle design. Kai James\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring the execution of the algorithm, each new design performed slightly better than its predecessor. We believe a similar evolutionary process played out with the miners 6,000 years ago.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is unclear what initially prompted the miners to explore alternative roller shapes. One possibility is that friction at the roller-socket interface caused the surrounding wood to wear away, leading to a slight narrowing of the roller at the point of contact. Another theory is that the miners began thinning out the rollers so that their carts could pass over small obstructions on the ground.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEither way, thanks to mechanical advantage, this narrowing of the axle region made the carts easier to push. As time passed, better-performing designs were repeatedly favored over the others, and new rollers were crafted to mimic these top performers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConsequently, the rollers became more and more narrow, until all that remained was a slender bar capped on both ends by large discs. This rudimentary structure marks the birth of what we now refer to as \u201cthe wheel.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to our theory, there was no precise moment at which the wheel was invented. Rather, just like the evolution of species, the wheel emerged gradually from an accumulation of small improvements.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is just one of the many chapters in the wheel\u2019s long and ongoing evolution. More than 5,000 years after the contributions of the Carpathian miners, a Parisian bicycle mechanic \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/transportationhistory.org\/2017\/08\/03\/today-in-transportation-history-1869-a-big-little-invention-for-bicycles\/\u0022\u003Einvented radial ball bearings\u003C\/a\u003E, which once again revolutionized wheeled transportation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIronically, ball bearings are conceptually identical to rollers, the wheel\u2019s evolutionary precursor. Ball bearings \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RihQOUNsN9c\u0022\u003Eform a ring around the axle\u003C\/a\u003E, creating a rolling interface between the axle and the wheel hub, thereby circumventing friction. With this innovation, the evolution of the wheel came full circle.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis example also shows how the wheel\u2019s evolution, much like its iconic shape, traces a circuitous path \u2013 one with no clear beginning, no end, and countless quiet revolutions along the way.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/244038\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-was-the-wheel-invented-computer-simulations-reveal-the-unlikely-birth-of-a-world-changing-technology-nearly-6-000-years-ago-244038\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EComputer simulations reveal the unlikely birth of a world-changing technology.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Computer simulations reveal the unlikely birth of a world-changing technology."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-06-16 14:51:53","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:16:54","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677232":{"id":"677232","type":"image","title":" The assumption was that the wheel evolved from wooden rollers","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe assumption was that the wheel evolved from wooden rollers. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/new-york-city-ancient-stone-circle-royalty-free-image\/136595864?phrase=ancient%20wheel\u0026amp;searchscope=image%2Cfilm\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003ETetra Images via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1750085808","gmt_created":"2025-06-16 14:56:48","changed":"1750085808","gmt_changed":"2025-06-16 14:56:48","alt":" The assumption was that the wheel evolved from wooden rollers","file":{"fid":"261114","name":"file-20250505-62-prv9gj.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250505-62-prv9gj.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250505-62-prv9gj.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":142258,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/16\/file-20250505-62-prv9gj.jpg?itok=AMnnjgfl"}}},"media_ids":["677232"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-was-the-wheel-invented-computer-simulations-reveal-the-unlikely-birth-of-a-world-changing-technology-nearly-6-000-years-ago-244038","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/kai-james-2263500\u0022\u003EKai James\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682320":{"#nid":"682320","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Forensics Tool \u2018Reanimates\u2019 the \u2018Brains\u2019 of AIs That Fail in Order to Understand What Went Wrong","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom drones delivering medical supplies to digital assistants performing everyday tasks, AI-powered systems are becoming increasingly embedded in everyday life. The creators of these innovations promise transformative benefits. For some people, mainstream applications such as ChatGPT and Claude can seem like magic. But these systems are not magical, nor are they foolproof \u2013 they can and do regularly fail to work as intended.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI systems can malfunction due to technical design flaws or biased training data. They can also suffer from vulnerabilities in their code, which can be exploited by malicious hackers. Isolating the cause of an AI failure is imperative for fixing the system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut AI systems are typically opaque, even to their creators. The challenge is how to investigate AI systems after they fail or fall victim to attack. There are techniques for inspecting AI systems, but they require access to the AI system\u2019s internal data. This access is not guaranteed, especially to forensic investigators called in to determine the cause of a proprietary AI system failure, making investigation impossible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=zzJmhKIAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=enough\u0022\u003Ecomputer scientists\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=1GsJvtwAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Ewho study\u003C\/a\u003E digital forensics. Our team at the Georgia Institute of Technology has built a system, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usenix.org\/conference\/usenixsecurity24\/presentation\/oygenblik\u0022\u003EAI Psychiatry\u003C\/a\u003E, or AIP, that can recreate the scenario in which an AI failed in order to determine what went wrong. The system addresses the challenges of AI forensics by recovering and \u201creanimating\u201d a suspect AI model so it can be systematically tested.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EUncertainty of AI\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImagine a self-driving car veers off the road for no easily discernible reason and then crashes. Logs and sensor data might suggest that a faulty camera caused the AI to misinterpret a road sign as a command to swerve. After a mission-critical failure such as an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2024\/apr\/26\/tesla-autopilot-fatal-crash\u0022\u003Eautonomous vehicle crash\u003C\/a\u003E, investigators need to determine exactly what caused the error.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWas the crash triggered by a malicious attack on the AI? In this hypothetical case, the camera\u2019s faultiness could be the result of a security vulnerability or bug in its software that was exploited by a hacker. If investigators find such a vulnerability, they have to determine whether that caused the crash. But making that determination is no small feat.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough there are forensic methods for recovering some evidence from failures of drones, autonomous vehicles and other so-called cyber-physical systems, none can capture the clues required to fully investigate the AI in that system. Advanced AIs can even \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.48550\/arXiv.1802.02871\u0022\u003Eupdate their decision-making\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 and consequently the clues \u2013 continuously, making it impossible to investigate the most up-to-date models with existing methods.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PcfXjfyPDgE?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EResearchers are working on making AI systems more transparent, but unless and until those efforts transform the field, there will be a need for forensics tools to at least understand AI failures.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPathology for AI\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI Psychiatry applies a series of forensic algorithms to isolate the data behind the AI system\u2019s decision-making. These pieces are then reassembled into a functional model that performs identically to the original model. Investigators can \u201creanimate\u201d the AI in a controlled environment and test it with malicious inputs to see whether it exhibits harmful or hidden behaviors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI Psychiatry takes in as input \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/whatis\/definition\/memory-dump\u0022\u003Ea memory image\u003C\/a\u003E, a snapshot of the bits and bytes loaded when the AI was operational. The memory image at the time of the crash in the autonomous vehicle scenario holds crucial clues about the internal state and decision-making processes of the AI controlling the vehicle. With AI Psychiatry, investigators can now lift the exact AI model from memory, dissect its bits and bytes, and load the model into a secure environment for testing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur team tested AI Psychiatry on 30 AI models, 24 of which were intentionally \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/csrc.nist.gov\/glossary\/term\/backdoor\u0022\u003Ebackdoored\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d to produce incorrect outcomes under specific triggers. The system was successfully able to recover, rehost and test every model, including models commonly used in real-world scenarios such as street sign recognition in autonomous vehicles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThus far, our tests suggest that AI Psychiatry can effectively solve the digital mystery behind a failure such as an autonomous car crash that previously would have left more questions than answers. And if it does not find a vulnerability in the car\u2019s AI system, AI Psychiatry allows investigators to rule out the AI and look for other causes such as a faulty camera.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ENot Just for Autonomous Vehicles\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI Psychiatry\u2019s main algorithm is generic: It focuses on the universal components that all AI models must have to make decisions. This makes our approach readily extendable to any AI models that use popular AI development frameworks. Anyone working to investigate a possible AI failure can use our system to assess a model without prior knowledge of its exact architecture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether the AI is a bot that makes product recommendations or a system that guides autonomous drone fleets, AI Psychiatry can recover and rehost the AI for analysis. AI Psychiatry is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/github.com\/CyFI-Lab-Public\/AiP\u0022\u003Eentirely open source\u003C\/a\u003E for any investigator to use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI Psychiatry can also serve as a valuable tool for conducting audits on AI systems before problems arise. With government agencies from law enforcement to child protective services integrating AI systems into their workflows, AI audits are becoming an increasingly common oversight requirement at the state level. With a tool like AI Psychiatry in hand, auditors can apply a consistent forensic methodology across diverse AI platforms and deployments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the long run, this will pay meaningful dividends both for the creators of AI systems and everyone affected by the tasks they perform.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/247769\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/forensics-tool-reanimates-the-brains-of-ais-that-fail-in-order-to-understand-what-went-wrong-247769\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAI-powered systems are not magical, nor are they foolproof \u2013 they can and do regularly fail to work as intended.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"AI-powered systems are not magical, nor are they foolproof \u2013 they can and do regularly fail to work as intended."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-04-30 18:06:13","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:16:46","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677057":{"id":"677057","type":"image","title":"Tesla crashes are only the most glaring of AI failures. South Jordan Police Department via APPEAR","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETesla crashes are only the most glaring of AI failures. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/TeslaCrashUtah\/e4e84ea27288453ba6950d92d412b2d7\/photo\u0022\u003ESouth Jordan Police Department via APPEAR\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1746814313","gmt_created":"2025-05-09 18:11:53","changed":"1746814313","gmt_changed":"2025-05-09 18:11:53","alt":"Tesla crashes are only the most glaring of AI failures. South Jordan Police Department via APPEAR","file":{"fid":"260919","name":"file-20250429-56-y0chq7.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/09\/file-20250429-56-y0chq7.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/09\/file-20250429-56-y0chq7.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":824137,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/09\/file-20250429-56-y0chq7.jpg?itok=zaQLBcSx"}}},"media_ids":["677057"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/forensics-tool-reanimates-the-brains-of-ais-that-fail-in-order-to-understand-what-went-wrong-247769","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1255","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/david-oygenblik-2299577\u0022\u003EDavid Oygenblik\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. Student in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/brendan-saltaformaggio-2299579\u0022\u003EBrendan Saltaformaggio\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Privacy, and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682308":{"#nid":"682308","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Decentralized Finance is Booming \u2014 So Are the Security Risks","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bitcoin.org\/bitcoin.pdf\u0022\u003Eproposed in 2008\u003C\/a\u003E, the goal was simple: to create a digital currency free from banks and governments. Over time, that idea evolved into something much bigger: \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2022\/03\/18\/technology\/what-is-defi-cryptocurrency.html\u0022\u003Edecentralized finance\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d or \u201cDeFi.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith decentralized finance, people trade, borrow and earn interest on crypto assets without relying on traditional intermediaries. DeFi services run on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bloomberglaw.com\/external\/document\/X29AE5PK000000\/tech-telecom-professional-perspective-an-introduction-to-blockch\u0022\u003Eblockchains\u003C\/a\u003E, which are essentially digital ledgers, and use \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bloomberglaw.com\/external\/document\/X4SGO17O000000\/tech-telecom-professional-perspective-blockchain-smart-contracts\u0022\u003Esmart contracts\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d \u2212 self-executing code that automates financial transactions. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mitsloan.mit.edu\/ideas-made-to-matter\/decentralized-finance-4-challenges-to-consider\u0022\u003ETens of billions of dollars\u003C\/a\u003E have poured into the DeFi market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut with innovation comes risks. The lack of centralized oversight has made crypto, including decentralized finance, a prime target for hackers and scammers. In 2024 alone, people lost \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/downloads.ctfassets.net\/t3wqy70tc3bv\/2LqNkvjajiCS5sPJmWLakc\/9715af967dd95a55da05d2ad373edb0d\/Immunefi_Crypto_Losses_in_2024_Report.pdf\u0022\u003Enearly US$1.5 billion\u003C\/a\u003E due to security exploits and fraud. And unlike traditional finance, there\u2019s usually no way to recover stolen crypto.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/mingyiliu.me\u0022\u003Ea computer scientist\u003C\/a\u003E, I wanted to better understand how people perceive and respond to these risks. So my colleagues and I first conducted in-depth interviews with 14 crypto investors, then surveyed nearly 500 others to validate our findings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usenix.org\/system\/files\/usenixsecurity24-liu-mingyi.pdf\u0022\u003EOur study\u003C\/a\u003E found that people often made the same mistakes, driven by recurring misconceptions and gaps in security awareness. Here are some of the most important.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMistake 1: Thinking the blockchain guarantees security\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany people told us they thought decentralized finance was secure \u2013 but their reasoning wasn\u2019t very convincing. Some seemed to confuse decentralized finance with blockchain technology itself, which is designed to ensure transactions are tamper-resistant through so-called \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/c\/consensus-mechanism-cryptocurrency.asp\u0022\u003Econsensus mechanisms\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d One told us that DeFi is secure \u201cbecause a hacker would have to override an entire blockchain\u201d to steal funds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut services on the blockchain are still vulnerable to implementation and design flaws. These include smart contract breaches, in which bad guys exploit bugs in a service\u2019s code, and front-end attacks, where a user interface is altered to redirect funds into a hacker\u2019s wallet. A \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.csis.org\/analysis\/bybit-heist-and-future-us-crypto-regulation\u0022\u003Efront-end attack\u003C\/a\u003E was reportedly to blame for a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2025-02-24\/bybit-cryptocurrency-hack-what-we-know\/104974512\u0022\u003Erecent $1.5 billion crypto heist\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nCZh9xdp43U?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ECNBC reports on the record-breaking $1.5 billion crypto theft.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMistake 2: Thinking safe keys mean safe funds\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother common misconception is that DeFi is secure if private keys are well stored. A private key is a secret code that allows someone to access their crypto assets. It\u2019s true that in DeFi \u2013 unlike in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/tech\/what-are-centralized-cryptocurrency-exchanges\/\u0022\u003Ecentralized crypto finance\u003C\/a\u003E where an exchange holds private keys \u2013 users have full control over their own private keys.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut even with perfect private key management, users can still lose funds by interacting with compromised DeFi platforms. That\u2019s because safeguarding private keys can prevent only direct attacks targeting private key access, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/phishing-scams-7-safety-tips-from-a-cybersecurity-expert-216198\u0022\u003Ephishing attempts\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe people we spoke with also failed to follow best practices for securing their private keys. Using a hardware wallet \u2013 a physical device that stores private keys offline \u2013 is one of the most secure options for protecting keys from online threats. However, our study found that only a handful of participants actually used hardware wallets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMistake 3: Thinking 2-factor authentication is a silver bullet\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETwo-factor authentication, or 2FA, is a standard security mechanism in which two forms of verification are required to access an account. Think being texted a one-time code before you can log into your bank account.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo prevent account breaches, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/tech\/what-are-centralized-cryptocurrency-exchanges\/\u0022\u003Ecentralized crypto exchanges\u003C\/a\u003E such as Binance and Coinbase use two-factor authentication for logins, account recovery and withdrawal confirmations. But while 2FA is crucial to security in the traditional and centralized crypto finance system, it plays a much smaller role in decentralized finance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeFi wallets give users access based on private key ownership rather than identity verification, which means traditional 2FA can\u2019t be used. Instead, only 2FA-like mechanisms are available in DeFi. For instance, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/multi-signature-wallets-definition-5271193\u0022\u003Emultisignature wallets\u003C\/a\u003E require approval from multiple private key holders. However, if your private key is compromised, attackers can perform wallet operations on your behalf without any additional verification. In addition, even users who adopt 2FA-like measures can\u2019t prevent the security breaches on the DeFi services\u2019 end.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnfortunately, our participants were overly confident regarding the effectiveness of 2FA, with one saying, \u201cTwo-factor authentication has been one of the best solutions for keeping wallets safe.\u201d In our survey, 57.1% of users relied on 2FA as their only technical countermeasure against \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.coinbase.com\/learn\/tips-and-tutorials\/what-is-a-rug-pull-and-how-to-avoid-it\u0022\u003Erug pulls\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 scams where project creators suddenly withdraw funds \u2013 and 49.3% did so for smart contract exploits. This misplaced trust could lead them to ignore more effective security strategies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMistake 4: Not managing token approvals\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne such effective strategy is revoking token approvals. In DeFi, tokens are digital assets on a blockchain that represent value or rights, and users often need to approve smart contracts to access or spend them. But if you leave these approvals open, a malicious contract \u2013 or one that\u2019s been hacked \u2013 can drain your wallet. So it\u2019s crucial to routinely check all token approvals you\u2019ve granted to prevent losses caused by fraudulent or hacked DeFi services. Specifically, you should limit spending allowances instead of using the default \u201cunlimited\u201d option, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/support.metamask.io\/more-web3\/learn\/how-to-revoke-smart-contract-allowances-token-approvals\u0022\u003Erevoke approvals\u003C\/a\u003E for apps you no longer use or trust.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorryingly, we found that only 10.8% and 16.3% of participants regularly checked and revoked token approvals to protect against rug pulls and smart contract exploits, respectively. In light of this, we recommend that wallet providers introduce a reminder feature to prompt users to review their token approvals periodically.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMistake 5: Not learning from past incidents\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven after they\u2019re hacked or scammed, people often don\u2019t do anything to improve their security practices, we found. Just 17.6% of those who reported being victims of a DeFi scam regularly checked token approvals afterward. Worse, 26% took no action at all after a scam, and 16.4% doubled down by investing even more in other DeFi services.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESurprisingly, more than half of the victims said their belief in DeFi either stayed the same or grew stronger after the incident. One user who lost $4,700 due to a rug-pull incident said, \u201cMy belief in cryptocurrency has grown stronger after that because I made good money from it.\u201d That person added, \u201cAn opportunity to make money is something I believe in.\u201d This suggests that DeFi users\u2019 financial motivations can sometimes outweigh their security concerns \u2013 and, perhaps, their better judgment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere\u2019s no one-size-fits-all solution to DeFi security. But awareness is the first step. To stay safe, crypto investors should use hardware wallets, revoke unused token approvals and continually learn new techniques to protect themselves from evolving threats. Most importantly, they should stay rational and not let the allure of profits cloud their security practices.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/251305\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/decentralized-finance-is-booming-and-so-are-the-security-risks-my-team-surveyed-nearly-500-crypto-investors-and-uncovered-the-most-common-mistakes-251305\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe lack of centralized oversight has made crypto, including decentralized finance, a prime target for hackers and scammers.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The lack of centralized oversight has made crypto, including decentralized finance, a prime target for hackers and scammers."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-05-08 14:58:26","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:16:39","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-05-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-05-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677055":{"id":"677055","type":"image","title":"Cryptocurrency Illustration","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECryptocurrency Illustration\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1746805311","gmt_created":"2025-05-09 15:41:51","changed":"1746805311","gmt_changed":"2025-05-09 15:41:51","alt":"Cryptocurrency Illustration","file":{"fid":"260917","name":"file-20250416-62-k0tjqh-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/09\/file-20250416-62-k0tjqh-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/09\/file-20250416-62-k0tjqh-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":137180,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/09\/file-20250416-62-k0tjqh-copy.jpg?itok=hvYp-oXG"}}},"media_ids":["677055"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/decentralized-finance-is-booming-and-so-are-the-security-risks-my-team-surveyed-nearly-500-crypto-investors-and-uncovered-the-most-common-mistakes-251305","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50875","name":"School of Computer Science"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/mingyi-liu-2337663\u0022\u003EMingyi Liu\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. student in Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681793":{"#nid":"681793","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Fill-in-the-Blank Training Primes AI to Interpret Health Data From Smartwatches, Fitness\u00a0Trackers","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe human body constantly generates a variety of signals that can be measured from outside the body with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2196\/35684\u0022\u003Ewearable devices\u003C\/a\u003E. These bio-signals \u2013 ranging from heart rate to sleep state and blood oxygen levels \u2013 can indicate whether someone is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41746-024-01333-z\u0022\u003Ehaving mood swings\u003C\/a\u003E or can be used to diagnose a variety of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brighamandwomens.org\/medical-resources\/emg-test#:%7E:text=An%20EMG%20test%20may%20be,by%20pain%20or%20psychological%20reasons.\u0022\u003Ebody\u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/eeg\/about\/pac-20393875#:%7E:text=An%20EEG%20records%20the%20electrical,electrical%20activity%20in%20the%20brain.\u0022\u003Ebrain disorders\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt can be relatively cheap to gather a lot of bio-signal data. Researchers can organize a study and ask participants to use a wearable device akin to a smartwatch for a few days. However, to teach a machine learning algorithm to find a relationship between a specific bio-signal and a health disorder, you first need to teach the algorithm to recognize that disorder. That\u2019s where computer engineers like myself come in.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany commercial smartwatches, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/afibinstitute.com.au\/atrial-fibrillation-a-guide-to-wearable-ecg-smart-watches\/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-3\u0022\u003Eones by Apple, AliveCor, Google and Samsung\u003C\/a\u003E, currently support atrial fibrillation detection. Atrial fibrillation is a common type of irregular heart rhythm, and leaving it untreated can lead to a stroke. One way to automatically detect \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib\u0022\u003Eatrial fibrillation\u003C\/a\u003E is to train a machine learning algorithm to recognize what atrial fibrillation looks like in the data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis machine learning approach requires large bio-signal datasets in which instances of atrial fibrillation are labeled. The algorithm can use the labeled instances to learn to recognize a relationship between the bio-signal and atrial fibrillation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe labeling process can be quite expensive because it requires experts, such as cardiologists, to go through millions of data points and label each instance of atrial fibrillation. The same problem extends to many other bio-signals and disorders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo resolve this issue, researchers have been developing new ways to train machine learning algorithms with fewer labels. By first training a machine learning model to fill in the blanks of large-scale unlabeled bio-signal data, the machine learning model is primed to learn the relationship between a bio-signal and a disorder with fewer labels. This is called pretraining. Pretraining even helps a machine learning model learn a relationship between a bio-signal and a disorder when it is pretrained on a completely unrelated bio-signal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/657861\/original\/file-20250326-57-i0xtcq.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A silhouette of a person overlaid with text.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/657861\/original\/file-20250326-57-i0xtcq.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/657861\/original\/file-20250326-57-i0xtcq.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=453\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/657861\/original\/file-20250326-57-i0xtcq.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=453\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/657861\/original\/file-20250326-57-i0xtcq.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=453\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/657861\/original\/file-20250326-57-i0xtcq.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=569\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/657861\/original\/file-20250326-57-i0xtcq.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=569\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/657861\/original\/file-20250326-57-i0xtcq.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=569\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EBio-signals are found all over the body and provide information about different bodily functions. Each of these is a bio-signal that measures a specific physiological signal in a noninvasive way.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EEloy Geenjaar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EChallenges of Working With Bio-Signals\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinding relationships between bio-signals and disorders can be difficult because of noise, or irrelevant data, differences between people\u2019s bio-signals, and because the relationship between a bio-signal and disorder may not be clear.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, bio-signals contain a lot of noise. For example, when you\u2019re wearing a smartwatch while running, the watch will move around. This causes the sensor for the bio-signal to record at different locations during the run. Since the locations vary across the run, swings in the bio-signal value may now be due to variations in the recording location instead of due to physiological processes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESecond, everyone\u2019s bio-signals are unique. The location of veins, for example, often differ between people. This means that even if smartwatches are worn at exactly the same place on everyone\u2019s wrists, the bio-signal related to those veins is recorded differently from one person to the next. The same underlying signal, such as someone\u2019s heart rate, will lead to different bio-signal values.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe underlying signal itself can also be unique for people or groups of people. The resting heart rate of an average person is around 60-80 beats per minute, but athletes can have resting heart rates \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/athlete-heart-rate\u0022\u003Eas low as 30-40 beats per minute\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELastly, the relationship between a bio-signal and a disorder is often complex. This means that the disorder is not immediately obvious from looking at the bio-signal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMachine learning algorithms allow researchers to learn from data and account for the complexity, noise and variability of people. By using large bio-signal datasets, machine learning algorithms are able to find clear relationships that apply to everyone.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELearning to Fill in the Blanks\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers can use unlabeled bio-signal data as a warmup for the machine learning algorithm. This warmup, or \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/10.5555\/1756006.1756025\u0022\u003Epre-training\u003C\/a\u003E, primes the machine learning algorithm to find a relationship between the bio-signal and a disorder. This is a bit like walking around a park to get the lay of the land before working out a route to go running.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are many ways to pretrain a machine learning algorithm. In \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.48550\/arXiv.2412.11695\u0022\u003Emy research\u003C\/a\u003E with Dolby Laboratories researcher \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=EEds7hMAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003ELie Lu\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.48550\/arXiv.2309.05927\u0022\u003Eprevious research\u003C\/a\u003E, the machine learning algorithm is taught \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/CVPR52688.2022.01553\u0022\u003Eto fill in the blanks\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo do this, we take a bio-signal and artificially create gaps of a certain length \u2013 for example, one second. We then teach the machine learning algorithm to fill in the missing piece of bio-signal. This is possible because the machine learning algorithm sees what the bio-signal looks like before and after the gap.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the heart rate of a person is around 60 beats per minute before the gap, there will likely be a heartbeat in the one-second gap. In this case, we\u2019re training the machine learning algorithm to predict when that heartbeat will occur.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce we have trained the machine learning algorithm to do this, it will have found a relationship between someone\u2019s heart rate and when the next beat should occur. We can now train the machine learning algorithm with this relationship between a normal heart rate and bio-signal already learned. This makes it easier for the algorithm to learn the relationship between heart rate and atrial fibrillation. Since atrial fibrillation is characterized by fast and irregular heartbeats, and the algorithm is now good at predicting when a heartbeat will happen, it can quickly learn to detect these irregularities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/655466\/original\/file-20250315-56-nfmqu9.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022three rows of horizontal lines with regularly spaced vertical spikes\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/655466\/original\/file-20250315-56-nfmqu9.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/655466\/original\/file-20250315-56-nfmqu9.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=183\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/655466\/original\/file-20250315-56-nfmqu9.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=183\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/655466\/original\/file-20250315-56-nfmqu9.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=183\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/655466\/original\/file-20250315-56-nfmqu9.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=230\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/655466\/original\/file-20250315-56-nfmqu9.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=230\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/655466\/original\/file-20250315-56-nfmqu9.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=230\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EMachine learning pre-training on filling in the blanks of a heart bio-signal.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EEloy Geenjaar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe idea of filling in the blanks can be generalized to other bio-signals as well. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/papers.nips.cc\/paper_files\/paper\/2022\/hash\/194b8dac525581c346e30a2cebe9a369-Abstract-Conference.html\u0022\u003EPrevious research\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iclr.cc\/virtual\/2024\/23539\u0022\u003Ehas shown\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.48550\/arXiv.2412.11695\u0022\u003Eour work\u003C\/a\u003E reconfirmed, that pretraining a model on one bio-signal without any labels allows it to learn clinically useful relationships from other bio-signals with few labels. This shortcut means that researchers can pretrain on bio-signals that are easy to gather and use the machine learning model on ones that are hard to gather and label.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFaster Disorder Detection Development\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy improving pretraining, researchers can make machine learning algorithms better and more efficient at detecting diseases and disorders. Pretraining improvements reduce cost and time spent by experts labeling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA recent example of machine learning algorithms used for early detection is Google\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blog.google\/products\/pixel\/pixel-watch-3-loss-of-pulse-detection\/\u0022\u003ELoss of Pulse\u003C\/a\u003E smartwatch feature. The emerging field of bio-signal pretraining can help enable faster development of similar features using a wider range of bio-signals and for a wider range of disorders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith increasing types of bio-signals and more data, researchers may be able to discover relationships that dramatically improve early detection of disease and disorders. The earlier many diseases and disorders are found, the better a treatment plan works for patients.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/251890\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/fill-in-the-blank-training-primes-ai-to-interpret-health-data-from-smartwatches-and-fitness-trackers-251890\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe human body constantly generates a variety of signals that can be measured from outside the body with wearable devices.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The human body constantly generates a variety of signals that can be measured from outside the body with wearable devices. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-04-15 14:06:26","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:16:24","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676841":{"id":"676841","type":"image","title":"AI promises to help wearable devices like smart watches better monitor your health. adamkaz\/E+ via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAI promises to help wearable devices like smart watches better monitor your health. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/senior-black-woman-running-with-a-fitness-tracker-royalty-free-image\/1299849508?phrase=smart+watch\u0022\u003Eadamkaz\/E+ via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1744726069","gmt_created":"2025-04-15 14:07:49","changed":"1744726069","gmt_changed":"2025-04-15 14:07:49","alt":"AI promises to help wearable devices like smart watches better monitor your health. adamkaz\/E+ via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"260686","name":"file-20250321-56-l266vi.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/15\/file-20250321-56-l266vi.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/15\/file-20250321-56-l266vi.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":302589,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/15\/file-20250321-56-l266vi.jpg?itok=4GAqIadE"}}},"media_ids":["676841"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/fill-in-the-blank-training-primes-ai-to-interpret-health-data-from-smartwatches-and-fitness-trackers-251890","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1255","name":"School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/eloy-geenjaar-2343252\u0022\u003EEloy Geenjaar\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. Student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680804":{"#nid":"680804","#data":{"type":"news","title":"What\u2019s the Shape of the Universe? Mathematicians Use Topology to Study the Shape of the World and Everything in\u00a0it","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen you look at your surrounding environment, it might seem like you\u2019re living on a flat plane. After all, this is why you can navigate a new city using a map: a flat piece of paper that represents all the places around you. This is likely why some people in the past believed the earth to be flat. But most people now know that is far from the truth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou live on the surface of a giant sphere, like a beach ball the size of the Earth with a few bumps added. The surface of the sphere and the plane are two possible 2D spaces, meaning you can walk in two directions: north and south or east and west.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat other possible spaces might you be living on? That is, what other spaces around you are 2D? For example, the surface of a giant doughnut is another 2D space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough a field called geometric topology, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/scientific-contributions\/John-B-Etnyre-10186406\u0022\u003Emathematicians like me\u003C\/a\u003E study all possible spaces in all dimensions. Whether trying to design \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2.math.upenn.edu\/%7Eghrist\/preprints\/noticesdraft.pdf\u0022\u003Esecure sensor networks\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/frai.2021.667963\u0022\u003Emine data\u003C\/a\u003E or use \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/10037710\/origami-in-space\/\u0022\u003Eorigami to deploy satellites\u003C\/a\u003E, the underlying language and ideas are likely to be that of topology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Shape of the Universe\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen you look around the universe you live in, it looks like a 3D space, just like the surface of the Earth looks like a 2D space. However, just like the Earth, if you were to look at the universe as a whole, it could be a more complicated space, like a giant 3D version of the 2D beach ball surface or something even more exotic than that.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-left zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614228\/original\/file-20240819-17-hxuf1t.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A shape with a hole in the middle.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614228\/original\/file-20240819-17-hxuf1t.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=237\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614228\/original\/file-20240819-17-hxuf1t.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614228\/original\/file-20240819-17-hxuf1t.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614228\/original\/file-20240819-17-hxuf1t.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614228\/original\/file-20240819-17-hxuf1t.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=632\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614228\/original\/file-20240819-17-hxuf1t.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=632\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614228\/original\/file-20240819-17-hxuf1t.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=632\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EA doughnut, also called a torus, is a shape that you can move across in two directions, just like the surface of the Earth.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Simple_Torus.svg\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EYassineMrabet via Wikimedia Commons\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003E, \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\u0022license\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ECC BY-NC-SA\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile you don\u2019t need topology to determine that you are living on something like a giant beach ball, knowing all the possible 2D spaces can be useful. Over a century ago, mathematicians figured out \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-3-642-34364-3\u0022\u003Eall the possible 2D spaces\u003C\/a\u003E and many of their properties.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the past several decades, mathematicians have learned a lot about all of the possible 3D spaces. While we do not have a complete understanding like we do for 2D spaces, we do \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bookstore.ams.org\/gsm-151\u0022\u003Eknow a lot\u003C\/a\u003E. With this knowledge, physicists and astronomers can try to determine what \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/universe2010001\u0022\u003E3D space people actually live in\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the answer is not completely known, there are many \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.quantamagazine.org\/what-shape-is-the-universe-closed-or-flat-20191104\/\u0022\u003Eintriguing and surprising possibilities\u003C\/a\u003E. The options become even more complicated if you consider time as a dimension.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo see how this might work, note that to describe the location of something in space \u2013 say a comet \u2013 you need four numbers: three to describe its position and one to describe the time it is in that position. These four numbers are what make up a 4D space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, you can consider what 4D spaces are possible and in which of those spaces do you live.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETopology in Higher Dimensions\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, it may seem like there is no reason to consider spaces that have dimensions larger than four, since that is the highest imaginable dimension that might describe our universe. But a branch of physics called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.space.com\/17594-string-theory.html\u0022\u003Estring theory\u003C\/a\u003E suggests that the universe has many more dimensions than four.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are also practical applications of thinking about higher dimensional spaces, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/1-4020-4266-3_05\u0022\u003Erobot motion planning\u003C\/a\u003E. Suppose you are trying to understand the motion of three robots moving around a factory floor in a warehouse. You can put a grid on the floor and describe the position of each robot by their x and y coordinates on the grid. Since each of the three robots requires two coordinates, you will need six numbers to describe all of the possible positions of the robots. You can interpret the possible positions of the robots as a 6D space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the number of robots increases, the dimension of the space increases. Factoring in other useful information, such as the locations of obstacles, makes the space even more complicated. In order to study this problem, you need to study high-dimensional spaces.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are countless other scientific problems where high-dimensional spaces appear, from modeling the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/CBO9781316410486\u0022\u003Emotion of planets\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/physicists-discover-whopping-13-new-solutions-three-body-problem\u0022\u003Eand spacecraft\u003C\/a\u003E to trying to understand the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ias.edu\/ideas\/2013\/lesnick-topological-data-analysis\u0022\u003E\u201cshape\u201d of large datasets\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETied Up In Knots\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother type of problem topologists study is how one space can sit inside another.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, if you hold a knotted loop of string, then we have a 1D space (the loop of string) inside a 3D space (your room). Such loops are called mathematical knots.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/knot-theory\u0022\u003Estudy of knots\u003C\/a\u003E first grew out of physics but has become a central area of topology. They are essential to how scientists understand \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bookstore.ams.org\/gsm-20\u0022\u003E3D and 4D spaces\u003C\/a\u003E and have a delightful and subtle structure that researchers are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/B978-0-444-51452-3.X5000-X\u0022\u003Estill trying to understand\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614230\/original\/file-20240819-17-qmwj95.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Illustrations of 15 connected loops of string with different crossings\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614230\/original\/file-20240819-17-qmwj95.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614230\/original\/file-20240819-17-qmwj95.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=447\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614230\/original\/file-20240819-17-qmwj95.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=447\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614230\/original\/file-20240819-17-qmwj95.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=447\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614230\/original\/file-20240819-17-qmwj95.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=562\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614230\/original\/file-20240819-17-qmwj95.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=562\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/614230\/original\/file-20240819-17-qmwj95.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=562\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EKnots are examples of spaces that sit inside other spaces.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Knot_table.svg\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EJkasd\/Wikimedia Commons\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, knots have many applications, ranging from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ias.edu\/ideas\/2011\/witten-knots-quantum-theory\u0022\u003Estring theory\u003C\/a\u003E in physics to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/bmb.20244\u0022\u003EDNA recombination\u003C\/a\u003E in biology to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/CBO9780511626272\u0022\u003Echirality\u003C\/a\u003E in chemistry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Shape Do You Live On?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeometric topology is a beautiful and complex subject, and there are still countless exciting questions to answer about spaces.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bookstore.ams.org\/gsm-20\u0022\u003Esmooth 4D Poincar\u00e9 conjecture\u003C\/a\u003E asks what the \u201csimplest\u201d closed 4D space is, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.quantamagazine.org\/mathematicians-prove-this-knot-cannot-solve-major-problem-20230202\/\u0022\u003Eslice-ribbon conjecture\u003C\/a\u003E aims to understand how knots in 3D spaces relate to surfaces in 4D spaces.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETopology is currently useful in science and engineering. Unraveling more mysteries of spaces in all dimensions will be invaluable to understanding the world in which we live and solving real-world problems.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/235635\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/whats-the-shape-of-the-universe-mathematicians-use-topology-to-study-the-shape-of-the-world-and-everything-in-it-235635\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhether trying to design secure sensor networks, mine data or use origami to deploy satellites, the underlying language and ideas are likely to be that of topology.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Whether trying to design secure sensor networks, mine data or use origami to deploy satellites, the underlying language and ideas are likely to be that of topology."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-02-28 14:22:35","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:16:17","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-28T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-28T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676431":{"id":"676431","type":"image","title":"You can describe the shape you live on in multiple dimensions. vkulieva\/iStock via Getty Images Plus","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou can describe the shape you live on in multiple dimensions. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/illustration\/green-neon-wireframe-shapes-collection-3d-royalty-free-illustration\/1509927575?phrase=math+torus\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003Evkulieva\/iStock via Getty Images Plus\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740770532","gmt_created":"2025-02-28 19:22:12","changed":"1740770532","gmt_changed":"2025-02-28 19:22:12","alt":"You can describe the shape you live on in multiple dimensions. vkulieva\/iStock via Getty Images Plus","file":{"fid":"260217","name":"file-20240816-23-nnp9id-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/28\/file-20240816-23-nnp9id-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/28\/file-20240816-23-nnp9id-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":512466,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/28\/file-20240816-23-nnp9id-copy.jpg?itok=bQNfZoeS"}}},"media_ids":["676431"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/whats-the-shape-of-the-universe-mathematicians-use-topology-to-study-the-shape-of-the-world-and-everything-in-it-235635","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"173647","name":"_for_math_site_"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/john-etnyre-1553642\u0022\u003EJohn Etnyre\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680695":{"#nid":"680695","#data":{"type":"news","title":" From Ancient Emperors to Modern Presidents, Leaders Have Used Libraries to Cement Their Legacies","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere in Atlanta, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov\/\u0022\u003EJimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum\u003C\/a\u003E has been part of my daily life for years. Parks and trails surrounding the center connect my neighborhood to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park downtown and everything in between.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the end of December 2024, thousands of people walked to the library to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wabe.org\/as-jimmy-carter-lies-in-repose-mourners-keep-coming-well-after-dark\/\u0022\u003Epay their respects to the former president\u003C\/a\u003E as he lay in repose. The cold, snow and darkness of the evening were a stark contrast to the warmth of the volunteers who welcomed us in. Our visit spiraled through galleries exhibiting records of Carter\u2019s life, achievements and lifelong work promoting democracy around the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EU.S. presidents have been building libraries for more than 100 years, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rbhayes.org\/research\/library\/\u0022\u003Estarting with Rutherford B. Hayes\u003C\/a\u003E. But the urge to shape one\u2019s legacy by building a library runs much deeper. As \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arch.gatech.edu\/people\/myrsini-mamoli\u0022\u003Ea scholar of libraries\u003C\/a\u003E in the Greek and Roman world, I was struck by the similarities between presidential \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=-r1nSF0AAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Eand ancient libraries\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 some of which were explicitly designed to honor deceased sponsors and played a significant role in their cities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETrajan\u2019s Library\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/books.google.com\/books\/about\/Foro_di_Traiano.html?id=k-yfAAAAMAAJ\u0022\u003EUlpian Library\u003C\/a\u003E, a great library in the center of Rome, was founded by Emperor Trajan, who ruled around the turn of the second century C.E. Referenced often by ancient authors, it could have been the first such memorial library.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-right zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650544\/original\/file-20250221-32-fco7z5.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A person seen from the back takes a photo of a tall monument with a statue on top, and a domed building in the background.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650544\/original\/file-20250221-32-fco7z5.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=237\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650544\/original\/file-20250221-32-fco7z5.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=915\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650544\/original\/file-20250221-32-fco7z5.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=915\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650544\/original\/file-20250221-32-fco7z5.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=915\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650544\/original\/file-20250221-32-fco7z5.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1150\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650544\/original\/file-20250221-32-fco7z5.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1150\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650544\/original\/file-20250221-32-fco7z5.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=1150\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ETrajan\u2019s Column now stands at the center of Rome.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/ITALYARTDAMAGED\/c0deee7b056f482c898f89086a071439\/photo?Query=trajan%27s%20column\u0026amp;mediaType=photo\u0026amp;sortBy=creationdatetime:desc\u0026amp;dateRange=Anytime\u0026amp;totalCount=9\u0026amp;currentItemNo=5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EAP Photo\/Pier Paolo Cito\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, someone visiting Rome can visit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/penelope.uchicago.edu\/Thayer\/e\/roman\/texts\/cassius_dio\/68*.html\u0022\u003ETrajan\u2019s Column\u003C\/a\u003E, a roughly 100-foot monument to his military and engineering achievements after conquering Dacia, part of present-day Romania. A frieze spirals from bottom to top of the column, depicting his exploits. The monument now stands on its own. Originally, however, it was nestled in a courtyard between two halls of the Ulpian Library complex.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost of what scholars know about the library\u2019s architecture comes from remains of the west hall, an elongated room almost 80 feet long, whose walls were lined with rectangular niches and framed by a colonnade. The niches were lined with marble and appear to have had doors; this is where the books would have been placed. Writers from the first few centuries C.E. describe the library having \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/penelope.uchicago.edu\/Thayer\/E\/Roman\/Texts\/Gellius\/11*.html\u0022\u003Earchival documents\u003C\/a\u003E about the emperor and the empire, including books made of linen and books \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/penelope.uchicago.edu\/Thayer\/E\/Roman\/Texts\/Historia_Augusta\/Tacitus*.html\u0022\u003Ebound with ivory\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETrajan dedicated the column in 113 C.E. but \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2458\/azu_jaei_v10i1_hoff\u0022\u003Edied four years later\u003C\/a\u003E, before the library was complete. Hadrian, his adoptive son and successor, oversaw the shipment of Trajan\u2019s cremated remains back to Rome, where they were placed in Trajan\u2019s Column. Hadrian \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/books.google.com\/books\/about\/I_Fori_imperiali_e_i_Mercati_di_Traiano.html?id=mppGAQAAIAAJ\u0022\u003Ecompleted the surrounding library complex\u003C\/a\u003E in 128 C.E. and dedicated it with two identical funerary inscriptions to his adopted parents, Trajan and Plotina. Scholars Roberto Egidi and Silvia Orlandi have argued that Trajan\u2019s remains could later have been \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ojs.unito.it\/index.php\/historika\/article\/view\/88\/48\u0022\u003Etransferred from the column into the library hall\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMemorial Model\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEither way, I would argue that Trajan\u2019s decision to have his remains included in the library complex, instead of in an imperial mausoleum, established a model adopted by other officials at a smaller scale. In the eastern side of the Roman empire \u2013 what is now Turkey \u2013 at least two other library-mausoleum buildings have been identified.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/2494235\/Paper_Space_The_Library_of_Nysa_Revisited\u0022\u003Ethe library at Nysa on the Maeander\u003C\/a\u003E, a Hellenistic city named for the nearby river. Under the floor of its entry porch is a sarcophagus with the remains of a man and a woman, possibly the dedicators, that dates to the second century C.E., the time of Hadrian\u2019s reign.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650526\/original\/file-20250221-32-mnr9qv.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Crumbling stones in a two-story structure with arched niches.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650526\/original\/file-20250221-32-mnr9qv.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650526\/original\/file-20250221-32-mnr9qv.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650526\/original\/file-20250221-32-mnr9qv.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650526\/original\/file-20250221-32-mnr9qv.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650526\/original\/file-20250221-32-mnr9qv.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650526\/original\/file-20250221-32-mnr9qv.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650526\/original\/file-20250221-32-mnr9qv.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThe ruins of the library at Nysa on the Maeander.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EMyrsini Mamoli\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother is the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/33780591\/R_Heberdey_Vorl%C3%A4ufiger_Bericht_%C3%BCber_die_Ausgrabungen_in_Ephesus_IV_%C3%96Jh_3_1900_Beibl_Sp_83_96\u0022\u003ELibrary of Celsus\u003C\/a\u003E, the most recognizable ancient library today, found in the ancient city of Ephesus. Named after a regional Roman consul and proconsul during the reign of Trajan, the building was founded by Celsus\u2019 son, designed as both a place of learning and a mausoleum.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe library\u2019s ornate, sculpted facade contained life-size female statues, making it an immediately recognizable landmark. Inscriptions identify the statues as the personifications of Celsus\u2019 character, elevating him into a role model: virtue, intelligence, knowledge and wisdom.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUpon entering the room, the funerary character of the library became quite literal. The hall was designed like the Ulpian Library, but a door gave access to a crypt underneath. This held the marble sarcophagus with the remains of Celsus, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.worldhistory.org\/Library_of_Celsus\/\u0022\u003Ethe patron of the library\u003C\/a\u003E. The sarcophagus itself was visible from the hall, if one stood in front of the central apse and looked down through two slits in the podium.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn endowment covered \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/64091244\/Towards_of_a_theory_of_reconstructing_ancient_libraries\u0022\u003Ethe library\u2019s operational expenses\u003C\/a\u003E in ancient times, as well as annual commemorations on Celsus\u2019 birthday, including the wreathing of the busts and statues and the purchasing of additional books.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650529\/original\/file-20250221-32-4o8sqn.JPG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A statue of a woman in a long dress, set inside a niche in a wall with stone pillars in front of it.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650529\/original\/file-20250221-32-4o8sqn.JPG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650529\/original\/file-20250221-32-4o8sqn.JPG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650529\/original\/file-20250221-32-4o8sqn.JPG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650529\/original\/file-20250221-32-4o8sqn.JPG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650529\/original\/file-20250221-32-4o8sqn.JPG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=501\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650529\/original\/file-20250221-32-4o8sqn.JPG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=501\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650529\/original\/file-20250221-32-4o8sqn.JPG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=501\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThe life-size statues on the facade of the Library of Celsus.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EMyrsini Mamoli\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPower and Knowledge\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese two provincial libraries highlight how sponsors hoped to be associated with the virtues a library fosters. Books represent knowledge, and by dedicating a library, one asserted his possession of it. Providing access to learning was an instrument of power on its own.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the handful of memorial libraries, many other ancient Roman public libraries were great cultural centers, including the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.persee.fr\/doc\/mefr_0223-5102_2002_num_114_2_9731\u0022\u003EForum of Peace\u003C\/a\u003E in Rome, dedicated by Emperor Vespasian; the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epub.lib.uoa.gr\/index.php\/aura\/article\/view\/2201\u0022\u003ELibrary of Hadrian\u003C\/a\u003E in Athens; and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/351663664_Side_Gymnasiumu_M_Yapisi_Mimari_Arastirmalar_ve_Arastirmalarin_Sonuclari\u0022\u003Ethe Gymnasium in Side\u003C\/a\u003E, a city in present-day Turkey.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe most magnificent libraries combined access to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tertullian.org\/fathers\/sidonius_letters_09book9.htm\u0022\u003Emanuscripts and artworks\u003C\/a\u003E with spaces for meetings and lectures. Several had great leisure areas, including landscaped sculptural gardens with elaborate water features and colonnaded walkways. Literary sources and material evidence testify to the treasures that were held there: busts of philosophers, poets and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/penelope.uchicago.edu\/Thayer\/E\/Roman\/Texts\/Historia_Augusta\/Carus_et_al*.html\u0022\u003Eother accomplished literary figures\u003C\/a\u003E; statues of gods, heroes and emperors; treasures confiscated as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lexundria.com\/j_bj\/7.158\/wst\u0022\u003Espoils of war\u003C\/a\u003E and exhibited in Rome.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650532\/original\/file-20250221-32-jyeh98.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A diorama seen from above, showing a large building with an open courtyard and sloped roof.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650532\/original\/file-20250221-32-jyeh98.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650532\/original\/file-20250221-32-jyeh98.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=259\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650532\/original\/file-20250221-32-jyeh98.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=259\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650532\/original\/file-20250221-32-jyeh98.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=259\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650532\/original\/file-20250221-32-jyeh98.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=325\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650532\/original\/file-20250221-32-jyeh98.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=325\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650532\/original\/file-20250221-32-jyeh98.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=325\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EA model of how Hadrian\u2019s Library may have looked, complete with a landscaped courtyard.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Library_of_Hadrian_(Athens)_-_Model_in_Colosseum_-_2.jpg\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EJoris\/Wikimedia Commons\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003E, \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\u0022license\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ECC BY-SA\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike the Ulpian Library itself, they continued the long tradition of Hellenistic public libraries, established by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bibalex.org\/hellenisticstudies\/News\/Details.aspx?ID=1005\u0022\u003Emost famous library of antiquity\u003C\/a\u003E: the Library of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/books.google.com\/books\/about\/A_Wonder_of_the_Ancient_World.html?id=q6NsoT1akU4C\u0022\u003EAlexandria\u003C\/a\u003E. Founded and lavishly endowed by the Hellenistic kings of Egypt, the Ptolemies, the building was meant to portray the king as a patron of intellectual activities and a powerful ruler, collecting knowledge from conquered civilizations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn ancient Greece and Rome, anybody who could read had access to public libraries. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ascsa.edu.gr\/uploads\/media\/hesperia\/146551.pdf\u0022\u003ERules of use varied\u003C\/a\u003E: For example, literary sources imply that the Ulpian Library in Rome was a borrowing library, whereas an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/146551\u0022\u003Einscription from the Library of Pantainos\u003C\/a\u003E in Athens explicitly forbid any book to be taken out.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut these buildings were also meant to shape their sponsors\u2019 legacies, portraying them as benevolent and learned. Presidential libraries in the United States today follow the same principle: They become monuments to the former presidents, while giving back to their local communities.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/248423\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-ancient-emperors-to-modern-presidents-leaders-have-used-libraries-to-cement-their-legacies-248423\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EU.S. presidents have been building libraries for more than 100 years, starting with Rutherford B. Hayes. But the urge to shape one\u2019s legacy by building a library runs much deeper.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"U.S. presidents have been building libraries for more than 100 years, starting with Rutherford B. Hayes. But the urge to shape one\u2019s legacy by building a library runs much deeper."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-02-24 14:27:10","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:16:11","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-21T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-21T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676374":{"id":"676374","type":"image","title":" The Library of Celsus was a famous landmark in its time \u2013 and today. Myrsini Mamoli","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Library of Celsus was a famous landmark in its time \u2013 and today. Myrsini Mamoli\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1740408271","gmt_created":"2025-02-24 14:44:31","changed":"1740408271","gmt_changed":"2025-02-24 14:44:31","alt":" The Library of Celsus was a famous landmark in its time \u2013 and today. Myrsini Mamoli","file":{"fid":"260152","name":"file-20250221-32-q9yf3m.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/24\/file-20250221-32-q9yf3m.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/24\/file-20250221-32-q9yf3m.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":907607,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/24\/file-20250221-32-q9yf3m.jpg?itok=mzndzQl8"}}},"media_ids":["676374"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-ancient-emperors-to-modern-presidents-leaders-have-used-libraries-to-cement-their-legacies-248423","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1221","name":"College of Design"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"48996","name":"School of Architecture"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/myrsini-mamoli-2309727\u0022 rel=\u0022author\u0022\u003EMyrsini Mamoli\u003C\/a\u003E, Lecturer of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680093":{"#nid":"680093","#data":{"type":"news","title":"From Breakbeats to the Dance Floor: How Hip-Hop and House Revolutionized Music and\u00a0Culture","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere was a time when artists representing two of America\u2019s biggest homegrown musical genres wouldn\u2019t get a look in at the Grammys.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHip-hop and house both have their origins in the 1970s and early 1980s \u2013 in fact, they recently \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/the50thanniversaryofhip-hop.com\/\u0022\u003Ecelebrated a 50th\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/chicago\/news\/dance-party-daley-plaza-40-years-house-music\/\u0022\u003E40th birthday\u003C\/a\u003E, respectively. But it was only in 1989 that an award category for \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/02\/11\/arts\/music\/the-boycott-before-rap-and-resentment-at-the-1989-grammys.html\u0022\u003Ebest rap performance\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d started recognizing hip-hop\u2019s contribution to U.S. music, and house had to wait another decade, with the introduction of \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.awardsandshows.com\/features\/best-dance-recording-289.html\u0022\u003Ebest dance\/electronic recording\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d in 1998.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this year\u2019s awards, taking place on Feb. 2, hip-hop and house artists will be among the most talked about. House duo Justice and Kendrick Lamar, a hip-hop superstar who \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.vibe.com\/lists\/best-songs-kendrick-lamar-gnx-album\/\u0022\u003Eincorporates elements of house himself\u003C\/a\u003E, are among those looking to pick up an award. Meanwhile, a nomination for a collaboration between \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jGK3YVmGZ3Y\u0022\u003EDJ Kaytranada and rapper Childish Gambino\u003C\/a\u003E shows how artists from both genres continue to feed off each other.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jGK3YVmGZ3Y?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd while both genres are now celebrated for their separate contributions to the music landscape, as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/joycelyn-wilson\u0022\u003Escholar of African American culture and music\u003C\/a\u003E, I am interested in their commonality: Both are distinctly Black American artforms that originated on the streets and dance floors of U.S. cities, developing a devoted underground following before being accepted by \u2013 and transforming \u2013 the mainstream.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Pulse of the 1970s\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe roots of hip-hop and house music both lie in the seismic shifts of the late 1970s, a period of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wgbh\/americanexperience\/features\/blackout-gallery\/\u0022\u003Esociopolitical unrest\u003C\/a\u003E and electronic experimentation that redefined the possibilities of sound.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor hip-hop, this was expressed through the turntable manipulation \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/music\/music-features\/kool-herc-hip-hop-50-august-11-1973-1234802035\/\u0022\u003Epioneered by DJ Kool Herc in 1973\u003C\/a\u003E, when he extended and looped breakbeats to energize crowds. House music\u2019s innovators turned to the drum machine to create the genre\u2019s foundational \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.masterclass.com\/articles\/four-on-the-floor-rhythm-explained\u0022\u003Efour-on-the-floor\u003C\/a\u003E dance rhythm.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat rhythm, foreshadowed by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TJwcRSClia4\u0022\u003EEddy Grant\u2019s 1977 production of \u201cTime Warp\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d by The Coachouse Rhythm Section, would go on to shape house music\u2019s distinct pulse. The track showed how electronic instruments such as the synthesizer and drum machine could recast traditional rhythmic patterns into something entirely new.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TJwcRSClia4?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis dance vibe \u2013 in which a base drum provides a steady four-four beat \u2013 became the heartbeat of house music, creating an enduring structure for DJs to layer basslines, percussion and melodies. In a similar way, Kool Herc\u2019s breakbeat manipulation provided the scaffolding for MCs and dancers in hip-hop\u2019s formative years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarginalized communities in urban centers like Chicago and New York were at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.designchicago.org\/chicago-home-of-house-at-navy-pier\u0022\u003Eforefront of these innovations\u003C\/a\u003E. Despite experiencing grinding poverty and discrimination, it was Black and Latino youth \u2013 armed with turntables, drum machines and samplers \u2013 who made these groundbreaking advances in music.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor hip-hop, this meant manipulating breakbeats from songs like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DWSceMtAjPw\u0022\u003EKraftwerk\u2019s \u201cTrans-Europe Express\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d and \u201cNumbers\u201d to energize \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.redbull.com\/us-en\/b-boy-and-b-girl-vs-breakdancer\u0022\u003Eb-boys and b-girls\u003C\/a\u003E; for house, it meant extending disco\u2019s rhythmic pulse into an ecstatic, inclusive dance floor. Both genres exemplified \u2013 and continue to exemplify \u2013 the ingenuity of predominantly Black and Hispanic communities who turned limited resources into cultural revolutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom this shared origin of technological experimentation, cultural resilience and creative ingenuity, hip-hop and house music grew into distinct yet globally influential movements.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Message and the MIDI\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy the early 1980s, both genres had found their feet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHip-hop emerged as a powerful voice for storytelling, resistance and identity. Building on the foundations laid down by DJ Kool Herc, artists like Afrika Bambaataa emphasized hip-hop\u2019s cultural and communal aspects. Meanwhile, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/grandmasterflash.com\/\u0022\u003EGrandmaster Flash\u003C\/a\u003E elevated the genre\u2019s technical artistry with innovations like cutting and scratching.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy 1984, hip-hop had evolved from its grassroots beginnings in the Bronx into a cultural movement on the cusp of mainstream recognition. Run-DMC\u2019s self-titled debut album released that year introduced a harder, stripped-down sound that departed from disco-influenced beats. Their music, paired with the trio\u2019s Adidas tracksuits and gold chains, established an aesthetic that resonated far beyond New York City. Music videos on MTV gave hip-hop a new medium for storytelling, while films like \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0086946\/\u0022\u003EBeat Street\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d and \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0086998\/\u0022\u003EBreakin\u2019\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d showcased the features and tenets of hip-hop culture: DJing, rapping, graffiti, breaking and knowledge of self \u2013 cementing its cultural presence, and presenting it to a world outside the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut at its core, hip-hop remained a voice for the voiceless that sought to address systemic inequities through storytelling. Tracks like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five\u2019s \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PobrSpMwKk4\u0022\u003EThe Message\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d vividly depicted the reality of living in poor, urban communities, while Public Enemy\u2019s \u201cFight the Power\u201d and Tupac Shakur\u2019s \u201cKeep Ya Head Up\u201d became anthems for social justice.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether these artists positioned hip-hop as a platform for resistance and empowerment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBecoming a Cultural Force\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike hip-hop\u2019s lyrical storytelling, house music focused on the physicality of rhythm and the collective experience of the dance floor. And as hip-hop moved away from disco, house leaned into it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EItaly\u2019s \u201cfather of disco,\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.giorgiomoroder.com\/\u0022\u003EGiorgio Moroder\u003C\/a\u003E, showed the way with his pioneering use of synthesizers in Donna Summer\u2019s \u201cI Feel Love.\u201d Over in New York, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/djhistory.com\/read\/larry-levan-and-the-lost-art-of-djing\/\u0022\u003ELarry Levan\u2019s DJ sets\u003C\/a\u003E at Paradise Garage demonstrated how electronic instruments could create immersive, emotionally charged experiences as a club that centered crowd participation through dance and not lyrics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy 1984, Chicago DJs Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy were \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/southsideweekly.com\/chicago-legends-debate-the-origins-of-house-music\/\u0022\u003Erepurposing disco tracks with drum machines\u003C\/a\u003E like the Roland TR-808 and 909 to create hypnotic beats. Knuckles, known as the \u201cGodfather of House,\u201d transformed his sets at the Warehouse club into euphoric experiences, giving the genre its name in the process.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHouse music thrived on inclusivity, served as a safe space for Black and Latino members of the LGBTQ+ communities at a time when hip-hop was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2021\/06\/19\/hip-hop-and-sexuality-is-the-culture-freeing-itself-of-homophobia-14783209\/\u0022\u003Eseverely unwelcoming of gay men\u003C\/a\u003E. Tracks like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qUeMFG4wjJw\u0022\u003EJesse Saunders\u2019 \u201cOn \u0026amp; On\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QAR8cq5Bl94\u0022\u003EMarshall Jefferson\u2019s \u201cMove Your Body\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d celebrated freedom, love and unity, encapsulating its liberatory spirit, as rap music and hip-hop culture embarked on its mainstream journey with songs like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iOKMWSR2Aio\u0022\u003ERun DMC\u2019s \u201cSucker M.C.s (Krush Groove)\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d and Salt-N-Pepa debuted their album \u201cHot, Cool, \u0026amp; Vicious.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs with hip-hop, by the the mid-1980s house music had become a cultural force, spreading from Chicago to Detroit, to New York and, eventually, to the U.K.\u2019s rave scene. Its emphasis on repetition, rhythm and electronic instrumentation solidified its global appeal, uniting people across identities and geographies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMainstays in Modern Music\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite their differences, moments of crossover highlight their shared DNA.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom the late 1980s, tracks like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7v7UiDd7wBA\u0022\u003EFast Eddie\u2019s \u201cYo Yo Get Funky\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hOKpUzUXmWU\u0022\u003EJungle Brothers\u2019 \u201cI\u2019ll House You\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d merged house beats with hip-hop\u2019s lyrical flow. Artists like Kaytranada and Doechii continue to blend the two genres today, staying true to the genres\u2019 legacies while pushing their boundaries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd technology continues to drive both genres. Platforms like SoundCloud have democratized music production, allowing emerging artists to build on the decades of innovations that preceded them. Collaborations, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QZrcXTHqQ_c\u0022\u003EDisclosure and Charli XCX\u2019s \u201cShe\u2019s Gone, Dance On\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d highlight their adaptability and enduring appeal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether through hip-hop\u2019s lyrical narratives or house\u2019s rhythmic euphoria, these genres continue to inspire, challenge and transcend.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the 2025 Grammy Awards celebrate today\u2019s leading house and hip-hop artists and their contemporary achievements, it is clear that the legacies of these two genres are mainstays in the kaleidoscope of American popular music and culture, having come a long way from back-to-school park jams and underground dance parties. \u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/229336\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe style=\u0022border-radius:12px;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/playlist\/7o090zY50aXPNLaf4nE7b3?utm_source=generator\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 height=\u0022352\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022 allow=\u0022autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\u0022 loading=\u0022lazy\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-breakbeats-to-the-dance-floor-how-hip-hop-and-house-revolutionized-music-and-culture-229336\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThere was a time when artists representing two of America\u2019s biggest homegrown musical genres wouldn\u2019t get a look in at the Grammys.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"There was a time when artists representing two of America\u2019s biggest homegrown musical genres wouldn\u2019t get a look in at the Grammys."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-01-31 15:58:26","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:15:57","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-31T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-31T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676177":{"id":"676177","type":"image","title":" Producers Fast Eddie and Joe Smooth mix at DJ International Studios in Chicago in 1990. Innovation was at the forefront of house and hip-hop. Raymond Boyd\/Getty Images","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProducers Fast Eddie and Joe Smooth mix at DJ International Studios in Chicago in 1990. Innovation was at the forefront of house and hip-hop. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/musician-and-producer-fast-eddie-and-producer-and-deejay-news-photo\/1298443671?adppopup=true\u0022\u003ERaymond Boyd\/Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1738339405","gmt_created":"2025-01-31 16:03:25","changed":"1738339405","gmt_changed":"2025-01-31 16:03:25","alt":" Producers Fast Eddie and Joe Smooth mix at DJ International Studios in Chicago in 1990. Innovation was at the forefront of house and hip-hop. Raymond Boyd\/Getty Images","file":{"fid":"259906","name":"file-20250130-17-1ib2ux.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/31\/file-20250130-17-1ib2ux_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/31\/file-20250130-17-1ib2ux_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":500211,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/31\/file-20250130-17-1ib2ux_0.jpg?itok=P65qo7--"}}},"media_ids":["676177"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-breakbeats-to-the-dance-floor-how-hip-hop-and-house-revolutionized-music-and-culture-229336","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/joycelyn-wilson-1531981\u0022\u003EJoycelyn Wilson\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor of Ethnographic and Cultural Studies , \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680807":{"#nid":"680807","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Generative AI is Most Useful for the Things We Care About the\u00a0Least","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGenerative AI tools such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chatgpt.com\/\u0022\u003EChatGPT\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.midjourney.com\/home\u0022\u003EMidjourney\u003C\/a\u003E can produce text, images and videos far more quickly than any one person can accomplish by hand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=TP027oEAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Eas someone who studies the societal impacts of AI\u003C\/a\u003E, I\u2019ve noticed an interesting trade-off: The technology can certainly save time, but it does so precisely to the extent that the user is willing to surrender control over the final product.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor this reason, generative AI is probably most useful for things we care about the least.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECeding Creative Control\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet\u2019s use the example of AI image generators. You probably have a rough idea of how they work. Just type what you want \u2013 \u201ca panda surfing,\u201d \u201ca piece of toast that is also a car\u201d \u2013 and the generative tool draws it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut this glosses over the countless possible iterations of the desired image.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWill the image appear as a watercolor painting or a pencil sketch? How lifelike will the panda be? How big is the wave? Is the toast-car parked or moving? Is there anyone inside of it?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the images are generated, these questions have been answered \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/science\/how-ai-makes-images-based-on-a-few-words\u0022\u003Ebut not by the user\u003C\/a\u003E. Rather, the generative AI tool has \u201cdecided.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, the user can be more specific: Imitate the style of Monet. Make the wave twice the height of the panda. Maybe the panda should look worried, since it isn\u2019t used to surfing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also pop open an image editor and modify the output yourself, down to the individual pixel. But, of course, drafting detailed instructions and revising the image take time, effort and skill. Generative AI promises to lighten the load. But as every manager knows, exercising control is work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Devil is In the Details\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn all art and expression, power lies in the details.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn great paintings, not every brushstroke is planned \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.harvard.com\/book\/9780593297582\u0022\u003Ebut each is carefully considered and accepted\u003C\/a\u003E. And its overall effect on the viewer depends on all those considered brushstrokes together.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFilmmakers shoot take after take of the same scene, each subtly or radically different. Only a small fraction of that footage makes it into the final cut \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.taylorfrancis.com\/books\/mono\/10.4324\/9780429506086\/film-editing-edward-dmytryk-mick-hurbis-cherrier-andrew-lund\u0022\u003Ethe fraction that the editors feel does the job best\u003C\/a\u003E. Great artists use their judgment to ensure every detail helps to achieve the effect they want.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, there\u2019s nothing new about putting someone else in charge of the details. People are used to delegating authority \u2013 even about matters of expression \u2013 to marketers, speechwriters, social media managers and the like.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGenerative AI makes a new sort of contractor available. It\u2019s always on call, and in certain ways it is very technically competent.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut compared with skilled humans, it has a limited ability to understand what you want. Moreover, it lacks intention, contemplation and the comprehensive mastery of detail that yield great expressive achievements \u2013 or even the comprehensive idiosyncrasy that spawns very unique ones.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsk ChatGPT for a film script, plus casting and shooting instructions. It will give you neither Francis Ford Coppola\u2019s masterpiece \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0068646\/\u0022\u003EThe Godfather\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d nor Tommy Wiseau\u2019s bizarre \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0368226\/\u0022\u003EThe Room\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou could, perhaps, approach a masterpiece, or a true oddity. But to do so, you\u2019d have to exercise more and more time, more and more effort, and more and more control.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAn Era of \u2018Cheap Speech\u2019\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat generative AI makes possible, above all, is low-effort, low-control expression.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the time I took to write and revise this article, I could have used ChatGPT to generate 200 grammatically correct, well-structured articles, and then I could have posted them online without even reading them. I wouldn\u2019t have had to carefully parse each word and decide whether it really helped me make my point. I wouldn\u2019t have even had to decide whether I agreed with any of the AI-generated write-ups.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is not a merely hypothetical example. Low-quality, AI-generated e-books of ambiguous provenance are already making their way into online vendors\u2019 catalogs \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.404media.co\/ai-generated-slop-is-already-in-your-public-library-3\/\u0022\u003Eand into the libraries those vendors serve\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimilarly, using image generators, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-shrimp-jesus-to-fake-self-portraits-ai-generated-images-have-become-the-latest-form-of-social-media-spam-226903\u0022\u003EI could now flood the internet with superficially appealing images\u003C\/a\u003E, dedicating only a fraction of a second to decide whether any of them express what I want them to express or achieve what I want them to achieve.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut in doing so, I would not just be skipping over drudgery. Writing, drawing and painting are not just labor but processes of considering, reviewing and deciding exactly what I want to put out into the world. By skipping over those processes, I surrender that decision-making process to the AI tool.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome scholars argue that the internet has produced an era of \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/yalebooks.yale.edu\/book\/9780300274097\/cheap-speech\/\u0022\u003Echeap speech\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d People no longer have to invest a lot of resources \u2013 nor even face the judgment of their neighbors \u2013 to broadcast whatever they want to the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith generative AI, expression is even cheaper. You don\u2019t even have to make things yourself to put them out into the world. For the first time in human history, the ability to produce writing, art and expression has been decoupled from the necessity of actually paying attention to what you\u2019re making or saying.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center \u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Illustration of red maze with small, axe-wielding figure chopping through the walls.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650810\/original\/file-20250223-32-kltoms.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650810\/original\/file-20250223-32-kltoms.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=455\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650810\/original\/file-20250223-32-kltoms.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=455\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650810\/original\/file-20250223-32-kltoms.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=455\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650810\/original\/file-20250223-32-kltoms.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=571\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650810\/original\/file-20250223-32-kltoms.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=571\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/650810\/original\/file-20250223-32-kltoms.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=571\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EGenerative AI allows you to blow through the thousands of little decisions that go into a work of art.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/broken-maze-royalty-free-image\/523566678?phrase=maze%20with%20person%20in%20it\u0026amp;searchscope=image,film\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EC.J. Burton\/The Image Bank via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhen Intention and Effort Matter\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI suspect that great art, journalism and scholarship will still demand great attention and effort. Some of that effort may even include custom-developing AI tools \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2025\/2\/christies-ai-auction-artist-open-letter\u0022\u003Etailored to an individual artist\u2019s concerns\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut unless people become much better at curation, great work will be increasingly difficult to locate amid the flood of low-effort content, which is also known as \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/side-job-self-employed-high-paid-behind-the-ai-slop-flooding-tiktok-and-facebook-237638\u0022\u003EAI slop\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s appropriate that generative AI becomes more useful the sloppier its users are willing to be \u2013 that is, the less they care about the details.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI could end with some dire prognosis \u2013 that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hollywood-ai-strike-wga-artificial-intelligence-39ab72582c3a15f77510c9c30a45ffc8\u0022\u003Eworking artists and writers\u003C\/a\u003E will \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.politybooks.com\/bookdetail?book_slug=artifictional-intelligence-against-humanitys-surrender-to-computers--9781509504114\u0022\u003Ebe replaced with mediocre automation\u003C\/a\u003E, that online discourse will get even stupider, that people will \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3613904.3642459\u0022\u003Eisolate themselves in personalized cocoons of AI-generated media\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll these things are possible. But it\u2019s probably more useful to offer a suggestion to you, the reader.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen you need an image or a piece of writing, take a moment to decide: How important are the details? Would the process of making this yourself, or working with a collaborator or contractor, be useful? Would it yield a better output, or give me the chance to learn, or begin or strengthen a relationship, or help you reflect on something important to you?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn short, is it worth putting in real care and effort? The answer will not always be yes. But it often will.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArt, writing, films \u2013 these are not just products, but acts. They are things humans make, through a process of thousands of little decisions that encompass what we stand for and what we want to say.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo when it comes to art, expression and argument, if you want it done right, it\u2019s probably still best to do it yourself.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/249329\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/generative-ai-is-most-useful-for-the-things-we-care-about-the-least-249329\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe technology can certainly save time, but it does so precisely to the extent that the user is willing to surrender control over the final product.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The technology can certainly save time, but it does so precisely to the extent that the user is willing to surrender control over the final product."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-02-28 19:26:00","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:15:43","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676432":{"id":"676432","type":"image","title":" The creative process involves choices that lead artists to places they couldn\u2019t have imagined. Eoneren\/E+ via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe creative process involves choices that lead artists to places they couldn\u2019t have imagined. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/choice-concept-with-doors-in-maze-royalty-free-image\/1352055964?phrase=maze with person in it\u0026amp;searchscope=image%2Cfilm\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003EEoneren\/E+ via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1740770855","gmt_created":"2025-02-28 19:27:35","changed":"1740770855","gmt_changed":"2025-02-28 19:27:35","alt":" The creative process involves choices that lead artists to places they couldn\u2019t have imagined. Eoneren\/E+ via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"260218","name":"Screenshot-2025-02-28-at-2.27.25-PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/28\/Screenshot-2025-02-28-at-2.27.25-PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/28\/Screenshot-2025-02-28-at-2.27.25-PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3971581,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/28\/Screenshot-2025-02-28-at-2.27.25-PM.png?itok=mbY6P_i-"}}},"media_ids":["676432"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/generative-ai-is-most-useful-for-the-things-we-care-about-the-least-249329","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/john-p-nelson-1458177\u0022\u003EJohn P. Nelson\u003C\/a\u003E, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ethics and Societal Implications of Artificial Intelligence, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678788":{"#nid":"678788","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Music Can Change How You Feel About the Past","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHave you ever noticed how a particular song can bring back a flood of memories? Maybe it\u2019s the tune that was playing during your first dance, or the anthem of a memorable road trip.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeople often think of these musical memories as fixed snapshots of the past. But recent research \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/maplab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Emy team\u003C\/a\u003E and I published suggests music may do more than just trigger memories \u2013 it might even \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3758\/s13415-024-01200-0\u0022\u003Echange how you remember them\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019m a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=Wbi5_VYAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Epsychology researcher\u003C\/a\u003E at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Along with my mentor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=DfJix_sAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EThackery Brown\u003C\/a\u003E and University of Colorado Boulder music experts \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=tfZIzOEAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003ESophia Mehdizadeh\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=KK-gSk8AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EGrace Leslie\u003C\/a\u003E, our recently published research uncovered intriguing connections between music, emotion and memory. Specifically, listening to music can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3758\/s13415-024-01200-0\u0022\u003Echange how you feel about what you remember\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 potentially offering new ways to help people cope with difficult memories.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMusic, stories and memory\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen you listen to music, it\u2019s not just your ears that are engaged. The areas of your brain responsible for emotion and memory also become active. The hippocampus, which is essential for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/0033-295x.99.2.195\u0022\u003Estoring and retrieving memories\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/npp.2015.171\u0022\u003Eworks closely\u003C\/a\u003E with the amygdala, the brain\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev.psych.56.091103.070234\u0022\u003Eemotional center\u003C\/a\u003E. This is partly why certain songs are not only memorable but also deeply emotional.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S0140525X08005293\u0022\u003Emusic\u2019s ability to evoke emotions and trigger memories\u003C\/a\u003E is well known, we wondered whether it could also alter the emotional content of existing memories. Our hypothesis was rooted in the concept of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.nlm.2016.12.012\u0022\u003Ememory reactivation\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 the idea that when you recall a memory, it becomes temporarily malleable, allowing new information to be incorporated.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe developed a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3758\/s13415-024-01200-0\u0022\u003Ethree-day experiment\u003C\/a\u003E to test whether music played during recall might introduce new emotional elements into the original memory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn the first day, participants memorized a series of short, emotionally neutral stories. The next day, they recalled these stories while listening to either positive music, negative music or silence. On the final day, we asked participants to recall the stories again, this time without any music. On the second day, we recorded their brain activity with fMRI scans, which measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur approach is analogous to how movie soundtracks can alter viewers\u2019 perceptions of a scene, but in this case, we examined how music might change participants\u2019 actual memories of an event.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe results were striking. When participants listened to emotionally charged music while recalling the neutral stories, they were \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3758\/s13415-024-01200-0\u0022\u003Emore likely to incorporate new emotional elements\u003C\/a\u003E into the story that matched the mood of the music. For example, neutral stories recalled with positive music in the background were later remembered as being more positive, even when the music was no longer playing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven more intriguing were the brain scans we took during the experiment. When participants recalled stories while listening to music, there was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3758\/s13415-024-01200-0\u0022\u003Eincreased activity in the amygdala and hippocampus\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 areas crucial for emotional memory processing. This is why a song associated with a significant life event can feel so powerful \u2013 it activates both emotion- and memory-processing regions simultaneously.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe also saw evidence of strong communication between these emotional memory processing parts of the brain and the parts of the brain \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3758\/s13415-024-01200-0\u0022\u003Einvolved in visual sensory processing\u003C\/a\u003E. This suggests music might infuse emotional details into memories while participants were visually imagining the stories.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMusical memories\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur results suggest that music acts as an emotional lure, becoming intertwined with memories and subtly altering their emotional tone. Memories may also be more flexible than previously thought and could be influenced by external auditory cues during recall.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile further research is needed, our findings have exciting implications for both everyday life and for medicine.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor people dealing with conditions such as depression or PTSD, where \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0015621\u0022\u003Enegative memories can be overwhelming\u003C\/a\u003E, carefully chosen music might help reframe those memories in a more positive light and potentially reduce their negative emotional impact over time. It also opens new avenues for exploring \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/gps.4494\u0022\u003Emusic-based interventions\u003C\/a\u003E in treatments for depression and other mental health conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn a day-to-day level, our research highlights the potential power of the soundtrack people choose for their lives. Memories, much like your favorite songs, can be remixed and remastered by music. The music you listen to while reminiscing or even while going about your daily routines might be subtly shaping how you remember those experiences in the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe next time you put on a favorite playlist, consider how it might be coloring not just your current mood but also your future recollections as well.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/239045\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/music-can-change-how-you-feel-about-the-past-239045\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHave you ever noticed how a particular song can bring back a flood of memories? Maybe it\u2019s the tune that was playing during your first dance, or the anthem of a memorable road trip.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Have you ever noticed how a particular song can bring back a flood of memories? Maybe it\u2019s the tune that was playing during your first dance, or the anthem of a memorable road trip."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2024-12-09 16:29:54","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:15:32","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675791":{"id":"675791","type":"image","title":"Music and Memory","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMusic could alter the emotional tenor of your memories. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/black-and-white-portrait-of-a-beautiful-woman-with-royalty-free-image\/1394844171\u0022\u003ECoffeeAndMilk\/E+ via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1733762076","gmt_created":"2024-12-09 16:34:36","changed":"1733762076","gmt_changed":"2024-12-09 16:34:36","alt":"Music and Memory","file":{"fid":"259457","name":"file-20241105-15-catmz0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/09\/file-20241105-15-catmz0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/09\/file-20241105-15-catmz0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":42175,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/09\/file-20241105-15-catmz0.jpg?itok=pF0O81l6"}}},"media_ids":["675791"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/music-can-change-how-you-feel-about-the-past-239045","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/yiren-ren-2210672\u0022 rel=\u0022author\u0022\u003EYiren Ren\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAdjunct Researcher in Cognitive Brain Science, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678789":{"#nid":"678789","#data":{"type":"news","title":" From Using Plant Rinds to High-Tech Materials, Bike Helmets Have Improved Significantly Over the Past 2 Centuries","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImagine \u2013 it\u2019s the mid-1800s, and you\u2019re riding your high-wheeled, penny-farthing bicycle down a dusty road. Sure, it may have some bumps, but if you lose your balance, you\u2019re landing on a relatively soft dirt road. But as the years go by, these roads are replaced with pavement, cobblestones, bricks or wooden slats. All these materials are much harder and still quite bumpy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs paved roads grew more common across the U.S. and Europe, bicyclists \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/allthatsinteresting.com\/bicycle-history\/2\u0022\u003Estarted to suffer\u003C\/a\u003E gruesome skull fractures and other serious head injuries during falls.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs head injuries became more common, people started seeking out head protection. But the first bike helmets were very different than helmets of today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=Hf8dRC4AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EI\u2019m a materials engineer\u003C\/a\u003E who teaches a course at Georgia Tech about materials science and engineering in sports. The class covers many topics, but particularly helmets, as they\u2019re used in many different sports, including cycling, and the materials they\u2019re made of play an important role in how they work. Over the decades, people have used a wide variety of materials to protect their heads while biking, and companies continue to develop new and innovative materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the beginning, there was the pith helmet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPith Helmets\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first head protection concept introduced to the biking world was a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.helmets.org\/history.htm\u0022\u003Ehat made from pith\u003C\/a\u003E, which is the spongy rind found in the stem of sola plants, \u003Cem\u003Eaeschynomene aspera\u003C\/em\u003E. Pith helmet craftsmen would press the pith into sheets and laminate it across dome-shaped molds to form a helmet shape. Then, they\u2019d cover the hats in canvas as a form of weatherproofing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPith helmets were far from what we would consider a helmet today, but they persisted until the early 20th century, when bicycle-racing clubs emerged. Since pith helmets offered little to no ventilation, the racers began to use \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gearist.com\/the-evolution-of-bicycle-helmets\/\u0022\u003Ehalo-shaped leather helmets\u003C\/a\u003E. These had better airflow and were more comfortable, although they weren\u2019t much better at protecting the head.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELeather Halo Helmets\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe initial concept for the halo helmet used a simple leather strip wrapped around the forehead. But these halo helmets quickly evolved, as riders arranged additional strips longitudinally from front to back. They wrapped the leather bands in wool.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor better head protection, the helmet makers then \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.helmets.org\/history.htm\u0022\u003Estarted adding more layers of leather strips\u003C\/a\u003E to increase the helmet\u2019s thickness. Eventually, they added different materials such as cotton, foam and other textiles into these leather layers for better protection.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile these had better airflow than the pith hats, the leather \u201chairnet\u201d helmets continued to offer very little protection during a fall on a paved surface. And, like pith, the leather helmets degraded when exposed to sweat and rain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite these drawbacks, leather strip helmets dominated the market \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.helmets.org\/history.htm\u0022\u003Efor several decades\u003C\/a\u003E as cycling continued to evolve throughout the 20th century.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen, in the 1970s, a nonprofit dedicated to testing motorcycle helmets called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.smf.org\/\u0022\u003Ethe Snell Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E released new standards for bike helmets. They set their standards so high that only lightweight motorcycle helmets could pass, which most bicyclists refused to wear.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ENew Materials and New Helmets\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe motorcycle equipment manufacturing company Bell Motorsports responded to the new standards by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.helmets.org\/history.htm\u0022\u003Ereleasing the Bell Biker in 1975\u003C\/a\u003E. This helmet used expanded polystyrene, or EPS. EPS is the same foam used to manufacture styrofoam coolers. It\u2019s lightweight and absorbs energy well.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConstructing the Bell Biker involved \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gearist.com\/the-evolution-of-bicycle-helmets\/\u0022\u003Espraying EPS into a dome shaped mold\u003C\/a\u003E. The manufacturers used small pellets of a very hard plastic \u2013 polycarbonate, or PC \u2013 to mold an outer shell and then adhere it to the outside of the EPS.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike the pith and leather helmets, this design was lightweight, load bearing, impact absorbing and well ventilated. The PC shell provided a smooth surface so that during a fall, the helmet would skid along the pavement instead of getting jerked around and caught, which could cause abrupt head rotation and lead to concussions and other head and neck injuries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the next two decades, as cycling became more popular, helmet manufacturers tried to strike the perfect balance between lightweight and ventilated helmets, while simultaneously providing impact protection.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn order to decrease weight, a company called Giro Sport Design \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gearist.com\/the-evolution-of-bicycle-helmets\/\u0022\u003Ecreated an all-EPS helmet\u003C\/a\u003E covered by a thin lycra fabric cover instead of a hard PC shell. This design eliminated the weight of the PC shell and improved ventilation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 1989, a company called Pro Tec introduced a helmet with a nylon mesh infused in the EPS foam core. The nylon mesh dramatically increased the helmet\u2019s structural support without the added weight of the PC shell.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, as cycling became more competitive, many riders and manufacturers started \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gearist.com\/the-evolution-of-bicycle-helmets\/\u0022\u003Edesigning more aerodynamic helmets\u003C\/a\u003E using the existing materials. A revolutionary teardrop style helmet debuted in the 1984 Olympics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, even casual biking enthusiasts will don teardrop helmets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHelmets on the Market Today\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHelmet makers continue to innovate. Today, many commercial brands use a hard polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, shell around the EPS foam in place of a PC shell to increase the helmet\u2019s protection and lifespan, while decreasing cost.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, some brands still use PC shells. Instead of gluing them to the EPS foam, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.helmets.org\/history.htm\u0022\u003Eshell serves as the mold itself\u003C\/a\u003E, with the EPS expanding to fit inside it. Manufacturing helmets this way eliminates several process steps, as well as any gaps between the foam and shell. This process makes the helmet both stronger and cheaper to manufacture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs helmets evolve to provide more protection with still lighter weight, materials called copolymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, are replacing PC and PET shell materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaterials that are easier and cheaper to manufacture, such as expanded polyurethane and expanded polypropylene, are also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/schifferbooks.com\/products\/modern-sports-helmets\u0022\u003Estarting to replace\u003C\/a\u003E the ubiquitous EPS core.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust as the leather and pith helmets would look strange to a cyclist today, a century from now, bike helmets could be made with entirely new and innovative materials.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/233315\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-using-plant-rinds-to-high-tech-materials-bike-helmets-have-improved-significantly-over-the-past-2-centuries-233315\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs head injuries became more common, people started seeking out head protection. But the first bike helmets were very different than helmets of today.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As head injuries became more common, people started seeking out head protection. But the first bike helmets were very different than helmets of today."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2024-12-09 16:37:12","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:15:25","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-11-18T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-11-18T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675792":{"id":"675792","type":"image","title":"Modern bike helmets are made through complex materials engineering.","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModern bike helmets are made through complex materials engineering. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/people-in-bicycle-helmets-in-forest-royalty-free-image\/1436148369?phrase=biking\u0026amp;searchscope=image%2Cfilm\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003EJohner Images via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1733764031","gmt_created":"2024-12-09 17:07:11","changed":"1733764031","gmt_changed":"2024-12-09 17:07:11","alt":"Modern bike helmets are made through complex materials engineering.","file":{"fid":"259458","name":"file-20241114-15-8pfjcp.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/09\/file-20241114-15-8pfjcp.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/09\/file-20241114-15-8pfjcp.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1153564,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/09\/file-20241114-15-8pfjcp.png?itok=gUca_fA3"}}},"media_ids":["675792"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-using-plant-rinds-to-high-tech-materials-bike-helmets-have-improved-significantly-over-the-past-2-centuries-233315","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/jud-ready-1544003\u0022 rel=\u0022author\u0022\u003EJud Ready\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPrincipal Research Engineer in Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678754":{"#nid":"678754","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Companies Are Still Committing to Net-Zero Emissions","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompanies around the world are increasingly committed to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions to slow and ultimately reverse climate change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne indicator is the number of companies that have set emissions targets as part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/\u0022\u003EScience Based Targets initiative\u003C\/a\u003E, or SBTi, a global nonprofit organization. That number grew from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/reports\/sbti-monitoring-report-2023\/global-geographic-growth#:%7E:text=Continued%20growth%20in%20the%20number%20of%20companies%20setting%20targets\u0026amp;text=2%2C080%20companies%20had%20validated%20science,institutions%20with%20science%2Dbased%20targets.\u0022\u003E164 companies in late 2018 to over 6,600 by November 2024\u003C\/a\u003E. And thousands more have committed to lower their emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not always a smooth road, however. Some of those companies \u2013 including big names like Microsoft and Walmart \u2013 have had to pull back on some of their SBTi commitments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=bHuI7f0AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Estudy\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=PVgZllAAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Ethe history\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=5nODHdIAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Eof SBTi pledges\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=dVu_OZQAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Eto understand these commitments\u003C\/a\u003E and what can undermine them. We believe there is more to the story of these pullbacks than meets the eye.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat is Net Zero?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo understand corporate climate commitments, let\u2019s start with the concept of \u201cnet zero.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/unfccc.int\/process-and-meetings\/the-paris-agreement\u0022\u003EParis Agreement\u003C\/a\u003E, an international treaty on climate change, aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) and ideally to 1.5 C (2.7 F). Meeting the more ambitious target of 1.5 C will require reaching \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/netzeroclimate.org\/what-is-net-zero-2\/#:%7E:text=The%20Paris%20Agreement%20marked%20the,of%20emissions%20and%20carbon%20removals.\u0022\u003Enet-zero greenhouse gas emissions\u003C\/a\u003E by around 2050.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENet zero is the point at which the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere is balanced by greenhouse gases removed, either through natural sources like forests or technologies such as carbon capture and storage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/\u0022\u003EScience Based Targets initiative\u003C\/a\u003E, developed alongside the Paris Agreement in 2015, provides a framework to help companies align their efforts with the 1.5 C goal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESBTi Commitments Have Grown Quickly\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/docs.sbtiservices.com\/resources\/ProcedureforValidationofTargets.pdf\u0022\u003Ejoin the initiative\u003C\/a\u003E, companies begin by signing a letter of commitment to set near-term (2030) and long-term (2050) targets for reducing their emissions. Companies have 24 months to develop targets that adhere to SBTi guidelines. If the targets are validated and approved by SBTi, the company announces its targets publicly. The targets must be revalidated every five years, or they expire.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe number of global companies committing to and setting targets with SBTi has grown rapidly in recent years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy the end of 2023, 7,929 companies representing 39% of global market capitalization had committed to set targets, and 4,205 had targets already validated by SBTi. By November 2024, that number had grown to 6,614.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis impressive participation is particularly significant given SBTi\u2019s high expectations. SBTi requires near-term targets to be set so \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/resources\/files\/SBTi-Corporate-Manual.pdf\u0022\u003Ecompanies reduce emissions by at least 42% by 2030\u003C\/a\u003E from 2020 levels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy Some Companies Have Pulled Back\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, why are companies like, Walmart, Microsoft and Amazon scaling back their commitments with SBTi?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile some people attribute these moves to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.spglobal.com\/marketintelligence\/en\/news-insights\/latest-news-headlines\/texas-lawmakers-houston-controller-say-anti-esg-law-is-government-overreach-83371504\u0022\u003Epolitical pressure from fossil fuel supporters\u003C\/a\u003E, a closer look at data since 2013 reveals a more complex set of factors that may better explain their actions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe found that, over the past decade, 695 companies either withdrew near- or long-term commitments or had a commitment that expired and was terminated by SBTi. These actions were concentrated in two distinct periods.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first period followed SBTi\u2019s decision in April 2019 to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/resources\/legacy\/2019\/03\/SBTi-criteria.pdf\u0022\u003Eupdate its criteria\u003C\/a\u003E, including tightening the minimum target from under 2 C to either \u201cwell below 2 C\u201d or 1.5 C. We believe several companies were unprepared to meet the new requirements. Among the 500 companies that had either committed to or set a target by the end of 2018, 94 (18.8%) terminated their initial commitments after the criteria changed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second period was after January 2023, when \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/news\/statement-on-the-end-of-the-commitment-compliance-policy-grace-period\u0022\u003ESBTi introduced a new compliance policy\u003C\/a\u003E and began removing commitments that had expired. In this period, 531 commitments were terminated \u2013 497 of them because the commitment expired, and 16 because the company withdrew.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s important to recognize that SBTi strategically raised the bar to encourage companies to accelerate their progress in addressing climate change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EReasons Some Companies Have Struggled\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a report in March 2024, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/resources\/files\/SBTi-Business-Ambition-final-report.pdf\u0022\u003ESBTi provided a candid look\u003C\/a\u003E at companies\u2019 climate commitments from 2019 to 2021 and, importantly, where they struggled.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApproximately half of the companies that responded to its survey identified the complexity of addressing \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/climateleadership\/scope-3-inventory-guidance\u0022\u003EScope 3 emissions\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 emissions from a company\u2019s supply chain and use of its products \u2013 as a primary obstacle to setting net-zero targets. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/esg-investing-has-a-blind-spot-that-puts-the-35-trillion-industrys-sustainability-promises-in-doubt-supply-chains-170199\u0022\u003Esupply chain is often considered a blind spot\u003C\/a\u003E for measuring environmental impact and is difficult for companies to control.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn the day the report was released, SBTi removed the long-term commitments of 239 companies. About 60% of those companies had near-term targets that remained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis helps explain the news around companies such as Walmart, Microsoft and Amazon.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWalmart\u2019s and Microsoft\u2019s long-term net-zero commitments were terminated, though both companies still have valid near-term targets with SBTi.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoreover, both reaffirm their environmental commitments in their annual reports. Walmart is currently \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustainabilitymag.com\/supply-chain-sustainability\/how-walmart-is-successfully-driving-scope-3-decarbonisation\u0022\u003Efinalizing its Scope 3 emissions analysis\u003C\/a\u003E to inform future strategy development, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blogs.microsoft.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/16\/microsoft-will-be-carbon-negative-by-2030\/\u0022\u003EMicrosoft is investing in carbon removal\u003C\/a\u003E technologies to become carbon-negative by 2030.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmazon presents a more challenging case. The company may have faced difficulty meeting SBTi\u2019s stringent mandate, particularly around supply chain emissions. Amazon has said it is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aboutamazon.com\/news\/sustainability\/amazons-approach-to-setting-science-based-targets\u0022\u003Estill committed to reaching net-zero emissions\u003C\/a\u003E and plans to explore setting targets with other organizations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMany Companies are on Track\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur analysis of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/reports\/sbti-monitoring-report-2022\u0022\u003ESBTi\u2019s progress data\u003C\/a\u003E, which includes all companies that had set a target by 2022 for which SBTi has emissions data, reveals that companies are cutting their emissions by a median annual rate of 5.4%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking just at direct emissions from companies\u2019 operations (Scope 1) and their purchased electricity (Scope 2), companies did even better. The median annual emissions decrease was 7.25% for companies with both Scope 1 and Scope 2 targets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScope 2 emissions are the low-hanging fruit and frequently align with cost-saving measures like improving energy efficiency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScope 3 emissions, those generated by companies\u2019 suppliers and by consumer use of their products, are the biggest challenge. Companies with a separate Scope 3 target only reduced those emissions by a median annual rate of about 3%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2024, SBTi announced \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sciencebasedtargets.org\/news\/statement-from-the-sbti-board-of-trustees-on-use-of-environmental-attribute-certificates-including-but-not-limited-to-voluntary-carbon-markets-for-abatement-purposes-limited-to-scope-3\u0022\u003Eplans to revise its Net-Zero Standard\u003C\/a\u003E and allow companies to use carbon offsets to meet their Scope 3 emissions targets, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.esgdive.com\/news\/sbti-walks-back-carbon-offset-scope-3policy-changes-after-staff-backlash\/713343\/#:%7E:text=The%20move%20was%20initially%20met,clarifying%20statement%20the%20next%20day.\u0022\u003Edrawing intense criticism\u003C\/a\u003E. Carbon offsets allow companies to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/companies-are-buying-up-cheap-carbon-offsets-data-suggest-its-more-about-greenwashing-than-helping-the-climate-238973\u0022\u003Epay projects to reduce emissions on their behalf\u003C\/a\u003E, such as by planting trees or managing forests.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESBTi\u2019s challenge lies in finding a balance that maintains the integrity of its standards while encouraging broader participation, especially from high-impact industries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOther Ways Companies are Reducing Emissions\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile setting and achieving SBTi targets signals a strong commitment to combating climate change, many companies are setting emissions goals and working toward them without joining SBTi.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn example is the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.drawdowngabusiness.org\/\u0022\u003EDrawdown Georgia Business Compact\u003C\/a\u003E. It was created to accelerate the adoption of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.drawdownga.org\/drawdown-georgia-research\/\u0022\u003E20 technology- and market-ready solutions\u003C\/a\u003E and includes nearly 70 companies, from multinationals headquartered in Georgia like Delta and UPS to small- and medium-size enterprises operating in the state.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough the compact, companies are advancing initiatives with local economic benefits. For example, they are exploring ways to maximize Georgia forests\u2019 ability to remove carbon and discussing effective ways to deploy \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.drawdowngabusiness.org\/news-and-insights\/fueling-the-future-georgia-tech-and-drawdown-georgia-business-compact-convene-experts-to-drive-sustainable-aviation-fuel-in-the-southeast\u0022\u003Esustainable aviation fuels\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe road to net-zero emissions will be bumpy. Yet the rapid growth of global corporate commitments, as well as action by a wider range of companies at the regional level, suggests corporate efforts are nevertheless moving forward.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/239487\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/companies-are-still-committing-to-net-zero-emissions-even-if-its-a-bumpy-road-heres-what-the-data-show-239487\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech experts study the history of SBTi pledges to understand these commitments and what can undermine them. They believe there is more to the story of these pullbacks than meets the eye.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech experts study the history of SBTi pledges to understand these commitments and what can undermine them. They believe there is more to the story of these pullbacks than meets the eye."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2024-12-04 17:17:39","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:15:14","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-11-20T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-11-20T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675773":{"id":"675773","type":"image","title":" Companies are cutting emissions fastest from energy use.","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompanies are cutting emissions fastest from energy use. Falling solar prices help. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/photovoltaic-panels-installed-on-the-roofs-of-enterprises-news-photo\/2170118102\u0022\u003ECFOTO\/Future Publishing via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1733333134","gmt_created":"2024-12-04 17:25:34","changed":"1733333134","gmt_changed":"2024-12-04 17:25:34","alt":" Companies are cutting emissions fastest from energy use. Falling solar prices help. CFOTO\/Future Publishing via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"259438","name":"file-20241120-19-qf29e9.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/file-20241120-19-qf29e9.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/file-20241120-19-qf29e9.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":235122,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/04\/file-20241120-19-qf29e9.jpg?itok=StiQpiEs"}}},"media_ids":["675773"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/companies-are-still-committing-to-net-zero-emissions-even-if-its-a-bumpy-road-heres-what-the-data-show-239487","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1274","name":"Scheller College of Business"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EL. Beril Toktay\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EProfessor of Operations Management, Georgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbhinav Shubham\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPh.D. Candidate in Operations Management, Georgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDonghyun (Daniel) Choi\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPh.D. Candidate in Operations Management, Georgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EManpreet S. Hora\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EProfessor of Operations Management, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678871":{"#nid":"678871","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How Cities Are Reinventing the Public-Private Partnership ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECities tackle a vast array of responsibilities \u2013 from building transit networks to running schools \u2013 and sometimes they can use a little help. That\u2019s why local governments have long teamed up with businesses in so-called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ppp.worldbank.org\/public-private-partnership\/about-us\/about-public-private-partnerships\u0022\u003Epublic-private partnerships\u003C\/a\u003E. Historically, these arrangements have helped cities fund big infrastructure projects such as bridges and hospitals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, our analysis and research show an emerging trend with local governments engaged in private-sector collaborations \u2013 what we have come to describe as \u201ccommunity-centered, public-private partnerships,\u201d or CP3s. Unlike traditional public-private partnerships, CP3s aren\u2019t just about financial investments; they leverage relationships and trust. And they\u2019re about more than just building infrastructure; they\u2019re about building resilient and inclusive communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the founding executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pingeorgia.org\u0022\u003EPartnership for Inclusive Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E, based out of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E, I\u2019m fascinated with CP3s. And while not all CP3s are successful, when done right they offer local governments a powerful tool to navigate the complexities of modern urban life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether with international climate finance expert \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.c40.org\/our-team\/andrea-fernandez\/\u0022\u003EAndrea Fern\u00e1ndez\u003C\/a\u003E of the urban climate leadership group C40, we analyzed community-centered, public-private partnerships across the world and put together \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/shop.theiet.org\/empowering-smart-cities-through-community-centred-public-private-partnerships-and-innovations\u0022\u003Eeight case studies\u003C\/a\u003E. Together, they offer valuable insights into how cities can harness the power of CP3s.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4 Keys to Success\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough we looked at partnerships forged in different countries and contexts, we saw several elements emerge as critical to success over and over again.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Clear mission and vision\u003C\/strong\u003E: It\u2019s essential to have a mission that resonates with everyone involved. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rutanmedellin.org\u0022\u003ERuta N\u003C\/a\u003E in Medell\u00edn, Colombia, for example, transformed the city into a hub of innovation, attracting 471 technology companies and creating 22,500 jobs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis vision wasn\u2019t static. It evolved in response to changing local dynamics, including leadership priorities and broader global trends. However, the core mission of entrepreneurship, investment and innovation remained clear and was embraced by all key stakeholders, driving the partnership forward.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Diverse and engaged partners\u003C\/strong\u003E: Successful CP3s rely on the active involvement of a wide range of partners, each bringing their unique expertise and resources to the table. In the U.K., for example, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ohyesnetzero.co.uk\u0022\u003EHull net-zero climate initiative\u003C\/a\u003E featured a partnership that included more than 150 companies, many small and medium-size. This diversity of partners was crucial to the initiative\u2019s success because they could leverage resources and share risks, enabling it to address complex challenges from multiple angles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimilarly, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/thinkcity.com.my\u0022\u003EMalaysia\u2019s Think City\u003C\/a\u003E engaged community-based organizations and vulnerable populations in its Penang climate adaptation program. This ensured that the partnership was inclusive and responsive to the needs of all citizens.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Robust governance structure\u003C\/strong\u003E: Effective governance is key to ensuring that CP3s operate smoothly and achieve their objectives. For example, in Melbourne, Australia, the City Professorial Chair in Urban Resilience and Innovation includes representatives from the city and a university. It has a formal communication structure where research informs policy and vice versa. It aims to harness the research to better inform and guide policymaking and in turn advance research by putting it into city practice.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn South Africa, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gcro.ac.za\u0022\u003EGauteng City-Region Observatory\u003C\/a\u003E bridges academia and government to drive urban development. Its governance structure, which includes a diverse board appointed by the province\u2019s premier, ensures that the partnership remains focused and effective. It means that it goes beyond any one organization\u2019s evolving agendas and leadership for longer-term community gains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Commitment to innovation and growth\u003C\/strong\u003E: While we found that securing funding and in-kind support is important, demonstrating economic impact is crucial for the sustainability of CP3s.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDublin\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/smartdocklands.ie\u0022\u003ESmart Docklands\u003C\/a\u003E initiative is a prime example of this. By leveraging technology to address community needs, the partnership attracted over 3 million euros (US$3.2 billion) in investments and quadrupled the project\u2019s funding.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe initiative not only boosted Dublin\u2019s connectivity and tech infrastructure but also addressed public safety through solutions such as smart ring buoys. The buoys are life preservers with sensors to alert the city when its buoys are tampered with or stolen.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe case studies show that CP3s can be a globally applicable model for urban development, not merely a passing trend. By fostering collective action, sharing risks and leveraging multiple sources of funding, CP3s can be a powerful tool for cities navigating the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/239155\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-cities-are-reinventing-the-public-private-partnership-4-lessons-from-around-the-globe-239155\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAnalysis and research show an emerging trend with local governments engaged in private-sector collaborations.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Analysis and research show an emerging trend with local governments engaged in private-sector collaborations."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2024-12-16 15:27:05","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:15:09","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675859":{"id":"675859","type":"image","title":" The Ruta N partnership in Medell\u00edn, Colombia, generated thousands of jobs. Jorge Calle\/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Ruta N partnership in Medell\u00edn, Colombia, generated thousands of jobs. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/view-of-the-green-wall-in-medellin-colombia-on-may-10-2022-news-photo\/1240640343?adppopup=true\u0022\u003EJorge Calle\/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1734363174","gmt_created":"2024-12-16 15:32:54","changed":"1734363174","gmt_changed":"2024-12-16 15:32:54","alt":" The Ruta N partnership in Medell\u00edn, Colombia, generated thousands of jobs. Jorge Calle\/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"259533","name":"file-20241113-17-3xzgqy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/16\/file-20241113-17-3xzgqy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/16\/file-20241113-17-3xzgqy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":202655,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/16\/file-20241113-17-3xzgqy.jpg?itok=CIbI3DNy"}}},"media_ids":["675859"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-cities-are-reinventing-the-public-private-partnership-4-lessons-from-around-the-globe-239155","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"236531","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/debra-lam-2212654\u0022\u003EDebra Lam\u003C\/a\u003E, Founding Director of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, Enterprise Innovation Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678877":{"#nid":"678877","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How Does the International Space Station Orbit Earth Without Burning\u00a0Up?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFlying through Earth\u2019s orbit are thousands of satellites and two operational space stations, including the International Space Station, which weighs as much as 77 elephants. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/\u0022\u003EThe International Space Station\u003C\/a\u003E, or ISS, hosts scientists and researchers from around the world as they contribute to discoveries in medicine, microbiology, Earth and space science, and more.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of my first jobs in aerospace engineering was working on the ISS, and the ISS remains one of my favorite aerospace systems. I now work at Georgia Tech, where \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/kelly-griendling\u0022\u003EI teach aerospace engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ISS travels very quickly around the Earth at 5 miles per second (8 kilometers per second), which means it could fly from Atlanta to London in 14 minutes. But at the same time, small chunks of rock called meteoroids shoot through space and burn up when they hit Earth\u2019s atmosphere. How is it that some objects \u2013 such as the International Space Station \u2013 orbit the Earth unscathed, while others, such as asteroids, burn up?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo answer why the ISS can stay in orbit for decades unscathed, you first need to understand why some things, such as meteoroids, do burn up when they enter our planet\u2019s atmosphere.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy Do Meteoroids Burn Up in the Atmosphere?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/meteors-meteorites\/\u0022\u003EMeteoroids are small chunks of rock and metal\u003C\/a\u003E that orbit the Sun. These space rocks can travel between 7 and 25 miles per second (12 to 40 km per second). That\u2019s fast enough to cross the entire United States in about 5 minutes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESometimes, the orbit of a meteoroid overlaps with Earth, and the meteoroid enters Earth\u2019s atmosphere \u2013 where it burns up and disintegrates.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven though you can\u2019t see them, the atmosphere is full of a combination of particles, primarily nitrogen and oxygen, which make up the air you breathe. The farther you are from the surface of the Earth, the lower the density of particles in the atmosphere.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scied.ucar.edu\/learning-zone\/atmosphere\/layers-earths-atmosphere\u0022\u003Eatmosphere has several layers\u003C\/a\u003E. When something from space enters the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, it must pass through each of these layers before it reaches the ground.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.wustl.edu\/meteoritesite\/items\/meteors\/\u0022\u003EMeteoroids\u003C\/a\u003E burn up in a part of Earth\u2019s atmosphere \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scied.ucar.edu\/learning-zone\/atmosphere\/mesosphere\u0022\u003Ecalled the mesosphere\u003C\/a\u003E, which is 30 to 50 miles (48 to 80 kilometers) above the ground. Even though the air is thin up there, meteoroids still bump into air particles as they fly through.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen meteoroids zoom through the atmosphere at these very high speeds, they are destroyed by a process that causes them to heat up and break apart. The meteoroid pushes the air particles together, kind of like how a bulldozer pushes dirt. This process creates a lot of pressure and heat. The air particles hit the meteoroid \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.howstuffworks.com\/transport\/flight\/modern\/hypersonic-plane.htm\u0022\u003Eat hypersonic speeds\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 much faster than the speed of sound \u2013 causing atoms to break away and form cracks in the meteroid.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe high pressure and hot air get into the cracks, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2020JA028229\u0022\u003Emaking the meteoroid break apart\u003C\/a\u003E and burn up as it falls through the sky. This process is called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=r4roWT1SD2s\u0022\u003Emeteoroid ablation\u003C\/a\u003E and is what you are actually seeing when you witness a \u201cshooting star.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy Doesn\u2019t the Space Station Burn Up?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo why doesn\u2019t this happen to the International Space Station?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ISS does not fly in the mesosphere. Instead, the ISS flies in a higher and much less dense layer of the atmosphere \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spaceplace.nasa.gov\/thermosphere\/en\/\u0022\u003Ecalled the thermosphere\u003C\/a\u003E, which extends from 50 miles (80 km) to 440 miles (708 km) above Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/Karman-line\u0022\u003EThe K\u00e1rm\u00e1n line\u003C\/a\u003E, which is considered the boundary of space, is in the thermosphere, 62 miles (100 kilometers) above the surface of the Earth. The space station flies even higher, at about 250 miles (402 km) above the surface.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe thermosphere has too few particles to transmit heat. At the height of the space station, the atmosphere is so thin that to collect enough particles to equal the mass of just one apple, you would need a box the size of Lake Superior!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a result, the ISS doesn\u2019t experience the same kind of interactions with atmospheric particles, nor the high pressure and heat that meteoroids traveling closer to Earth do, so it doesn\u2019t burn up.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA High-Flying Research Hub\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the ISS doesn\u2019t burn up, it does experience large temperature swings. As it orbits Earth, it is alternately exposed to direct sunlight and darkness. Temperatures can reach 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius) when it\u2019s exposed to the Sun, and then they can drop to as low as -250 degrees F (-156 degrees Celsius) when it\u2019s in the dark \u2013 a swing of 500 degrees F (277 degrees C) as it moves through orbit.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe engineers who designed the station carefully selected materials that can handle these temperature swings. The inside of the space station is kept at comfortable temperatures for the astronauts, the same way people on Earth heat and cool our homes to stay comfortable indoors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/20-breakthroughs-from-20-years-of-science-aboard-the-international-space-station\/\u0022\u003EResearch on the ISS\u003C\/a\u003E has led to advancements such as improved \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Science_Exploration\/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration\/International_Space_Station_Benefits_for_Humanity\/Advanced_NASA_Technology_Supports_Water_Purification_Efforts_Worldwide\u0022\u003Ewater filtration technologies\u003C\/a\u003E, a better understanding of Earth\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/earth-science-at-ames\/missions\/water-and-energy-cycle\/\u0022\u003Ewater and energy cycles\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/growing-plants-in-space\/\u0022\u003Etechniques to grow food in space\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/three-space-station-studies-helping-scientists-understand-the-early-universe\/\u0022\u003Einsights into black holes\u003C\/a\u003E, a better understanding of how \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/spending-time-in-space-can-harm-the-human-body-but-scientists-are-working-to-mitigate-these-risks-before-sending-people-to-mars-210761\u0022\u003Ethe human body changes\u003C\/a\u003E during \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/does-a-year-in-space-make-you-older-or-younger-111812\u0022\u003Elong-duration space travel\u003C\/a\u003E, and new studies on a variety of diseases and treatments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENASA plans to keep the ISS active until 2030, when all of the astronauts will return to Earth and the ISS will be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-selects-international-space-station-us-deorbit-vehicle\/\u0022\u003Edeorbited\u003C\/a\u003E, or brought down from orbit by a specially designed spacecraft.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs it comes down through Earth\u2019s atmosphere in the deorbiting process, it will enter the mesosphere, where many parts of it will heat up and disintegrate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome spacecraft, such as the crew capsules that bring astronauts to and from the ISS, can survive reentry into the atmosphere using their \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/engineering\/heat-shield\u0022\u003Eheat shield\u003C\/a\u003E. That\u2019s a special layer made up of materials that are able to withstand very high temperatures. The ISS wasn\u2019t designed for that, so it doesn\u2019t have a heat shield.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019d like to see the space station as it passes over your area, you can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spotthestation.nasa.gov\/\u0022\u003Echeck out NASA\u2019s website\u003C\/a\u003E to find out when it might be visible near you.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/240412\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-does-the-international-space-station-orbit-earth-without-burning-up-240412\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFlying through Earth\u2019s orbit are thousands of satellites and two operational space stations, including the International Space Station, which weighs as much as 77 elephants.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Flying through Earth\u2019s orbit are thousands of satellites and two operational space stations, including the International Space Station, which weighs as much as 77 elephants."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2024-12-16 15:34:36","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:14:58","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675860":{"id":"675860","type":"image","title":" The International Space Station orbits Earth. NASA\/Roscosmos","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe International Space Station orbits Earth. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/\u0022\u003ENASA\/Roscosmos\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1734364444","gmt_created":"2024-12-16 15:54:04","changed":"1734364444","gmt_changed":"2024-12-16 15:54:04","alt":" The International Space Station orbits Earth. NASA\/Roscosmos","file":{"fid":"259534","name":"file-20241030-15-lsj7ed.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/16\/file-20241030-15-lsj7ed.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/16\/file-20241030-15-lsj7ed.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1172087,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/16\/file-20241030-15-lsj7ed.png?itok=AXQPMQ19"}}},"media_ids":["675860"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-does-the-international-space-station-orbit-earth-without-burning-up-240412","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/kelly-griendling-2225547\u0022\u003EKelly Griendling\u003C\/a\u003E, Lecturer of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679654":{"#nid":"679654","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Why Does a Rocket Have to go 25,000 mph to Escape Earth?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy does a rocket have to go 25,000 mph (about 40,000 kilometers per hour) to escape Earth? \u2013 Bo H., age 10, Durham, New Hampshire\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere\u2019s a reason why a rocket has to go so fast to escape Earth. It\u2019s about gravity \u2013 something all of us \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www1.grc.nasa.gov\/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics\/weight-equation\/\u0022\u003Eexperience every moment of every day\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGravity is the force that pulls you toward the ground. And that\u2019s a good thing. Gravity keeps you on Earth; otherwise, you would float away into space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut gravity also makes it difficult to leave Earth if you\u2019re a rocket heading for space. Escaping our planet\u2019s gravitational pull is hard \u2013 not only is gravity strong, but it also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/dept\/physics\/scienceguys\/2004oct.cfm\u0022\u003Eextends far away from Earth\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELike a Balloon\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/benjamin-lee-emerson-ii\u0022\u003Ea rocket scientist\u003C\/a\u003E, one of the things I do is teach students how rockets overcome gravity. Here\u2019s how it works:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEssentially, the rocket has to make thrust \u2013 that is, create force \u2013 by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.grc.nasa.gov\/www\/k-12\/airplane\/rocket.html\u0022\u003Eburning propellant to make hot gases\u003C\/a\u003E. Then it shoots those hot gases out of a nozzle. It\u2019s sort of like blowing up a balloon, letting go of it and watching it fly away as the air rushes out.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore specifically, the rocket propellant \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/Rocketology\/tag\/propellant\/#:%7E\u0022\u003Econsists of both fuel and oxidizer\u003C\/a\u003E. The fuel is typically something flammable, usually hydrogen, methane or kerosene. The oxidizer is usually liquid oxygen, which reacts with the fuel and allows it to burn.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen going into space and escaping from Earth, rockets need lots of force, so they consume propellant very quickly. That\u2019s a problem, because the rocket can\u2019t carry enough propellant to keep thrusting forever; the amount of propellant needed would make the rocket too heavy to get off the ground.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo what happens when the propellant runs out? The thrust stops, and gravity slows the rocket down until it gradually begins to fall back to Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFortunately, scientists can launch the rocket with some sideways momentum so that it misses the Earth when it returns. They can even do this so it continuously falls around the Earth forever. In other words, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spaceplace.nasa.gov\/orbits\/en\/\u0022\u003Eit goes into orbit\u003C\/a\u003E, and begins to circle the planet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany launches intentionally don\u2019t completely leave Earth behind. Thousands of satellites are orbiting our planet right now, and they help phones and TVs work, display weather patterns for meteorologists, and even let you use a credit card to pay for things at the store or gas at the pump. You can sometimes see these satellites in the night sky, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lompocrecord.com\/ask-the-weather-guys-can-we-see-satellites-at-night\/article_b67eeaa9-f7c5-56df-9646-5a0187c9eb53.html#:%7E\u0022\u003Eincluding the International Space Station\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Lti6a_YYQl0?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAn Atlas V rocket took NASA\u2019s Perseverance rover to Mars.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEscaping Earth\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut suppose the goal is to let the rocket escape from Earth\u2019s gravity forever so it can fly off into the depths of space. That\u2019s when scientists do \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.discovermagazine.com\/the-sciences\/the-how-and-why-of-rockets-staging\u0022\u003Ea neat trick called staging\u003C\/a\u003E. They launch with a big rocket, and then, once in space, discard it to use a smaller rocket. That way, the journey can continue without the weight of the bigger rocket, and less propellant is needed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut even staging is not enough; eventually the rocket will run out of propellant. But if the rocket goes fast enough, it can run out of propellant and still continue to coast away from Earth forever, without gravity pulling it back. It\u2019s like riding a bike: build up enough speed and eventually you can coast up a hill without pedaling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd just like there\u2019s a minimum speed required to coast the bike, there\u2019s a minimum speed a rocket needs to coast away into space: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/letstalkscience.ca\/educational-resources\/stem-explained\/escape-velocity\u0022\u003E25,020 mph\u003C\/a\u003E (about 40,000 kilometers per hour).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScientists call that speed the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/escape-velocity\u0022\u003Eescape velocity\u003C\/a\u003E. A rocket needs to go that fast so that the momentum propelling it away from Earth is stronger than the force of gravity pulling it back. Any slower, and you\u2019ll go into an orbit of Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEscaping Jupiter\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBigger, or more massive, objects have stronger gravitational pull. A rocket launching from a planet bigger than Earth would need to achieve a higher escape speed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, Jupiter is the most massive planet in our solar system. It\u2019s so big, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-can-jupiter-have-no-surface-a-dive-into-a-planet-so-big-it-could-swallow-1-000-earths-231901\u0022\u003Eit could swallow 1,000 Earths\u003C\/a\u003E. So it requires a very high escape speed: 133,100 mph (about 214,000 kilometers per hour), more than five times the escape speed of Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the extreme example is a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/universe\/what-are-black-holes\/#:%7E\u0022\u003Eblack hole\u003C\/a\u003E, an object so massive that its escape speed is extraordinarily high. So high, in fact, that even light \u2013 which has a speed of about 670 million mph (over a billion kilometers per hour) \u2013 is not fast enough to escape. That\u2019s why it\u2019s called a black hole.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/243338\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-does-a-rocket-have-to-go-25-000-mph-to-escape-earth-243338\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThere\u2019s a reason why a rocket has to go so fast to escape Earth. It\u2019s about gravity \u2013 something all of us experience every moment of every day.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"There\u2019s a reason why a rocket has to go so fast to escape Earth. It\u2019s about gravity \u2013 something all of us experience every moment of every day."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-01-14 14:36:30","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:14:35","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-14T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-14T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676051":{"id":"676051","type":"image","title":"falconrocket.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with its Crew Dragon capsule launches from Cape Canaveral, Fla., in January 2024. Chandan Khanna\/AFP via Getty Images\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1737069110","gmt_created":"2025-01-16 23:11:50","changed":"1737069219","gmt_changed":"2025-01-16 23:13:39","alt":"A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ","file":{"fid":"259756","name":"falconrocket.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/16\/falconrocket.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/16\/falconrocket.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":128028,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/16\/falconrocket.jpg?itok=6JI7e8cL"}}},"media_ids":["676051"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-does-a-rocket-have-to-go-25-000-mph-to-escape-earth-243338","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"479","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/benjamin-l-emerson-2255671\u0022\u003EBenjamin L. Emerson\u003C\/a\u003E, Principal Research Engineer, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679708":{"#nid":"679708","#data":{"type":"news","title":" With More Americans Able to Access Legalized Marijuana, Fewer Are Picking Up Prescriptions for Anti-Anxiety Medications","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn states where both medical and recreational marijuana are legal, fewer patients are filling prescriptions for medications used to treat anxiety. That is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2024.32021\u0022\u003Ethe key finding\u003C\/a\u003E of my recent study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI am an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/ashley-bradford\u0022\u003Eapplied policy researcher\u003C\/a\u003E who studies the economics of risky behaviors and substance use within the United States. My collaborators and I wanted to understand how medical and recreational marijuana laws and marijuana dispensary openings have affected the rate at which patients fill prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications among people who have private medical insurance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/treatments\/24570-benzodiazepines-benzos\u0022\u003EBenzodiazepines\u003C\/a\u003E, which work by increasing the level of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/22857-gamma-aminobutyric-acid-gaba\u0022\u003Egamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA\u003C\/a\u003E, a neurotransmitter that elicits a calming effect by reducing activity in the nervous system. This category includes the depressants Valium, Xanax and Ativan, among others.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/treatments\/24692-antipsychotic-medications\u0022\u003EAntipsychotics\u003C\/a\u003E, a class of drug that addresses psychosis symptoms in a variety of ways.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/treatments\/9301-antidepressants-depression-medication\u0022\u003EAntidepressants\u003C\/a\u003E, which relieve symptoms of depression by affecting neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. The most well-known example of these is selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/depression\/in-depth\/ssris\/art-20044825\u0022\u003ESSRIs\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe also included \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/treatments\/23271-barbiturates\u0022\u003Ebarbiturates\u003C\/a\u003E, which are sedatives, and sleep medications \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/taking-z-drugs-insomnia-know-risks\u0022\u003Esometimes called \u201cZ-drugs\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 both of which are used to treat insomnia. In contrast to the other three categories, we did not estimate any policy impacts for either of these types of drugs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe find consistent evidence that increased marijuana access is associated with reductions in benzodiazepine prescription fills. \u201cFills\u201d refer to the number of prescriptions being picked up by patients, rather than the number of prescriptions doctors write. This is based on calculating the rate of individual patients who filled a prescription in a state, the average days of supply per prescription fill, and average prescription fills per patient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENotably, we found that not all state policies led to similar changes in prescription fill patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/D5Vsm_Daexg?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThe effects of benzodiazepines on the brain have to do with their ability to bind to the receptors of the neurotransmitter GABA.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy it Matters\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2021, nearly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/mental-illness\u0022\u003E23% of the adult U.S. population\u003C\/a\u003E reported having a diagnosable mental health disorder. Yet only 65.4% of those individuals reported receiving treatment within the past year. This lack of treatment can exacerbate current mental health disorders, leading to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mental-health\/about\/index.html\u0022\u003Eincreased risk for additional chronic conditions\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarijuana access introduces an alternative treatment to traditional prescription medication that may provide easier access for some patients. Many state medical laws allow patients with mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/procon\/medical-marijuana-debate#ref395545\u0022\u003Euse medical cannabis\u003C\/a\u003E, while recreational laws expand access to all adults.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur findings have important implications for insurance systems, prescribers, policymakers and patients. Benzodiazepine use, like opioid use, can be dangerous for patients, especially when the two classes of drugs are used together. Given the high level of opioid poisonings that also involve benzodiazepines \u2013 in 2020, they made up \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nida.nih.gov\/research-topics\/opioids\/benzodiazepines-opioids\u0022\u003E14% of total opioid overdose deaths\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 our findings offer insights into potential substitution with marijuana for medications where misuse is plausible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Still Isn\u2019t Known\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur research does not clarify whether the changes in dispensing patterns led to measurable changes in patient outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is some evidence that marijuana acts as an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/can.2017.29009.dpi\u0022\u003Eeffective anxiety treatment\u003C\/a\u003E. If this is the case, moving away from benzodiazepine use \u2013 which is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/neurolint13040059\u0022\u003Eassociated with significant negative side effects\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 toward marijuana use may improve patient outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis finding is critical given that about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1176\/appi.ps.201800321\u0022\u003E5% of the U.S. population\u003C\/a\u003E is prescribed benzodiazepines. Substituting marijuana has the potential to result in fewer negative side effects nationwide, but it\u2019s not yet clear if marijuana will be equally effective at treating anxiety.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur study also found evidence of a slight \u2013 albeit somewhat less significant \u2013 increase in antipsychotic and antidepressant dispensing. But it\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1257\/jel.20211635\u0022\u003Enot clear\u003C\/a\u003E yet whether marijuana access, particularly recreational access, increases rates of psychotic disorders and depression.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile we found that, overall, marijuana access led to increased antidepressant and antipsychotic fills, some individual states saw decreases.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is a lot of variation in the details of state marijuana laws, and it\u2019s possible that some of those details are leading to these meaningful differences in outcomes. I believe this difference in outcomes from state to state is an important finding for policymakers who may want to tailor their laws toward specific goals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us\/topics\/research-brief-83231\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch Brief\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E is a short take on interesting academic work.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/244646\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/with-more-americans-able-to-access-legalized-marijuana-fewer-are-picking-up-prescriptions-for-anti-anxiety-medications-new-research-244646\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn states where both medical and recreational marijuana are legal, fewer patients are filling prescriptions for medications used to treat anxiety.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In states where both medical and recreational marijuana are legal, fewer patients are filling prescriptions for medications used to treat anxiety. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-01-17 16:22:39","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:14:25","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676054":{"id":"676054","type":"image","title":" New research suggests that in some states, medicinal cannabis use could be leading to a reduction in the use of anxiety medications. Olena Ruban\/Moment via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;New research suggests that in some states, medicinal cannabis use could be leading to a reduction in the use of anxiety medications. Olena Ruban\/Moment via Getty Images\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1737131191","gmt_created":"2025-01-17 16:26:31","changed":"1737131191","gmt_changed":"2025-01-17 16:26:31","alt":" New research suggests that in some states, medicinal cannabis use could be leading to a reduction in the use of anxiety medications. Olena Ruban\/Moment via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"259759","name":"file-20250107-15-tzxryg.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250107-15-tzxryg.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250107-15-tzxryg.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":334933,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250107-15-tzxryg.jpg?itok=6VryVQmx"}}},"media_ids":["676054"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/with-more-americans-able-to-access-legalized-marijuana-fewer-are-picking-up-prescriptions-for-anti-anxiety-medications-new-research-244646","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/ashley-bradford-2269950\u0022\u003EAshley Bradford\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682964":{"#nid":"682964","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Cyberattacks Shake Voters\u2019 Trust in Elections, Regardless of\u00a0Party","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAmerican democracy runs on trust, and that trust is cracking.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENearly half of Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, question whether elections are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/651185\/partisan-split-election-integrity-gets-even-wider.aspx\u0022\u003Econducted fairly\u003C\/a\u003E. Some voters accept election results only \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/worldjusticeproject.org\/our-work\/research-and-data\/rule-law-united-states\u0022\u003Ewhen their side wins\u003C\/a\u003E. The problem isn\u2019t just political polarization \u2013 it\u2019s a creeping \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/politics\/2018\/10\/29\/elections-in-america-concerns-over-security-divisions-over-expanding-access-to-voting\/\u0022\u003Eerosion of trust\u003C\/a\u003E in the machinery of democracy itself.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommentators blame ideological tribalism, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/01\/09\/business\/media\/election-disinformation-2024.html\u0022\u003Emisinformation campaigns\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/06\/15\/opinion\/social-media-polarization-democracy.html\u0022\u003Epartisan echo chambers\u003C\/a\u003E for this crisis of trust. But these explanations miss a critical piece of the puzzle: a growing unease with the digital infrastructure that now underpins nearly every aspect of how Americans vote.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe digital transformation of American elections has been swift and sweeping. Just two decades ago, most people voted using mechanical levers or punch cards. Today, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/electionlab.mit.edu\/research\/voting-technology\u0022\u003Eover 95% of ballots\u003C\/a\u003E are counted electronically. Digital systems have replaced poll books, taken over voter identity verification processes and are integrated into registration, counting, auditing and voting systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis technological leap has made voting more accessible and efficient, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/voting-has-never-been-more-secure-than-it-is-right-now\/\u0022\u003Esometimes more secure\u003C\/a\u003E. But these new systems are also more complex. And that complexity plays into the hands of those looking to undermine democracy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn recent years, authoritarian regimes have refined a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/china-midterms-elections-influence-nord-hacking\/\u0022\u003Echillingly effective strategy\u003C\/a\u003E to chip away at Americans\u2019 faith in democracy by relentlessly sowing doubt about the tools U.S. states use to conduct elections. It\u2019s a sustained \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/articles\/misinformation-is-eroding-the-publics-confidence-in-democracy\/\u0022\u003Ecampaign to fracture civic faith\u003C\/a\u003E and make Americans believe that democracy is rigged, especially when their side loses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is not cyberwar in the traditional sense. There\u2019s no evidence that anyone has managed to break into voting machines and alter votes. But cyberattacks on election systems don\u2019t need to succeed to have an effect. Even a single failed intrusion, magnified by sensational headlines and political echo chambers, is enough to shake public trust. By feeding into existing anxiety about the complexity and opacity of digital systems, adversaries create \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/04\/01\/business\/media\/china-online-disinformation-us-election.html\u0022\u003Efertile ground for disinformation and conspiracy theories\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ebhqDNPjitU?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EJust before the 2024 presidential election, Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Jen Easterly explains how foreign influence campaigns erode trust in U.S. elections.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETesting Cyber Fears\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo test this dynamic, we launched a study to uncover precisely how cyberattacks corroded trust in the vote during the 2024 U.S. presidential race. We surveyed more than 3,000 voters before and after election day, testing them using a series of fictional but highly realistic breaking news reports depicting cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. We randomly assigned participants to watch different types of news reports: some depicting cyberattacks on election systems, others on unrelated infrastructure such as the power grid, and a third, neutral control group.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe results, which are under peer review, were both striking and sobering. Mere exposure to reports of cyberattacks \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1M0iGIYk_WsxumppZ4ZEVAANS4CC9lTaQ\/view\u0022\u003Eundermined trust in the electoral process\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 regardless of partisanship. Voters who supported the losing candidate experienced the greatest drop in trust, with two-thirds of Democratic voters showing heightened skepticism toward the election results.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut winners too showed diminished confidence. Even though most Republican voters, buoyed by their victory, accepted the overall security of the election, the majority of those who viewed news reports about cyberattacks remained suspicious.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe attacks didn\u2019t even have to be related to the election. Even cyberattacks against critical infrastructure such as utilities had spillover effects. Voters seemed to extrapolate: \u201cIf the power grid can be hacked, why should I believe that voting machines are secure?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStrikingly, voters who used digital machines to cast their ballots were the most rattled. For this group of people, belief in the accuracy of the vote count fell by nearly twice as much as that of voters who cast their ballots by mail and who didn\u2019t use any technology. Their firsthand experience with the sorts of systems being portrayed as vulnerable personalized the threat.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not hard to see why. When you\u2019ve just used a touchscreen to vote, and then you see a news report about a digital system being breached, the leap in logic isn\u2019t far.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur data suggests that in a digital society, perceptions of trust \u2013 and distrust \u2013 are fluid, contagious and easily activated. The cyber domain isn\u2019t just about networks and code. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/jogss\/ogac042\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also about emotions\u003C\/a\u003E: fear, vulnerability and uncertainty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFirewall of Trust\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDoes this mean we should scrap electronic voting machines? Not necessarily.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery election system, digital or analog, has flaws. And in many respects, today\u2019s high-tech systems have solved the problems of the past with voter-verifiable paper ballots. Modern voting machines reduce human error, increase accessibility and speed up the vote count. No one misses the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2000\/11\/12\/us\/counting-the-vote-the-ballots-after-cards-are-poked-the-confetti-can-count.html\u0022\u003Ehanging chads\u003C\/a\u003E of 2000.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut technology, no matter how advanced, cannot instill legitimacy on its own. It must be paired with something harder to code: public trust. In an environment where foreign adversaries amplify every flaw, cyberattacks can trigger spirals of suspicion. It is no longer enough for elections to be secure \u2212 voters must also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2018\/apr\/18\/american-elections-hack-bruce-scheier\u0022\u003Eperceive them to be secure\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s why \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/08\/22\/learning\/2024-election-teaching-resources.html\u0022\u003Epublic education\u003C\/a\u003E surrounding elections is now as vital to election security as firewalls and encrypted networks. It\u2019s vital that voters understand how elections are run, how they\u2019re protected and how failures are caught and corrected. Election officials, civil society groups and researchers can teach \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/verifiedvoting.org\/audits\/\u0022\u003Ehow audits work\u003C\/a\u003E, host open-source verification demonstrations and ensure that high-tech electoral processes are comprehensible to voters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe believe this is an essential investment in democratic resilience. But it needs to be proactive, not reactive. By the time the doubt takes hold, it\u2019s already too late.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust as crucially, we are convinced that it\u2019s time to rethink the very nature of cyber threats. People often imagine them in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/04\/17\/us\/politics\/china-cyber-us-infrastructure.html\u0022\u003Emilitary terms\u003C\/a\u003E. But that framework misses the true power of these threats. The danger of cyberattacks is not only that they can destroy infrastructure or steal classified secrets, but that they chip away at societal cohesion, sow anxiety and fray citizens\u2019 confidence in democratic institutions. These attacks erode the very idea of truth itself by making people doubt that anything can be trusted.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf trust is the target, then we believe that elected officials should start to treat trust as a national asset: something to be built, renewed and defended. Because in the end, elections aren\u2019t just about votes being counted \u2013 they\u2019re about people believing that those votes count.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd in that belief lies the true firewall of democracy.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/259368\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/cyberattacks-shake-voters-trust-in-elections-regardless-of-party-259368\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENearly half of Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, question whether elections are conducted fairly.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Nearly half of Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, question whether elections are conducted fairly. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-06-27 13:20:43","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:14:15","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677317":{"id":"677317","type":"image","title":"Voting Machine","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVoting Machine\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1751376187","gmt_created":"2025-07-01 13:23:07","changed":"1751376187","gmt_changed":"2025-07-01 13:23:07","alt":"Voting Machine","file":{"fid":"261203","name":"file-20250623-68-5uf1q2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/01\/file-20250623-68-5uf1q2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/01\/file-20250623-68-5uf1q2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":395723,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/01\/file-20250623-68-5uf1q2.jpg?itok=_6eV5iP0"}}},"media_ids":["677317"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/cyberattacks-shake-voters-trust-in-elections-regardless-of-party-259368","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660367","name":"School of Cybersecurity and Privacy"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/ryan-shandler-1527508\u0022\u003ERyan Shandler\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of Cybersecurity and International Relations, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/anthony-j-demattee-2416603\u0022\u003EAnthony J. DeMattee\u003C\/a\u003E, Data Scientist and Adjunct Instructor, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/emory-university-1332\u0022\u003EEmory University\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/bruce-schneier-446919\u0022\u003EBruce Schneier\u003C\/a\u003E, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/harvard-kennedy-school-3840\u0022\u003EHarvard Kennedy School\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683265":{"#nid":"683265","#data":{"type":"news","title":"College \u2018General Education\u2019 Requirements Help Prepare Students for Citizenship \u2014 But Critics Say It\u2019s Learning Time Taken Away From Useful Studies","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat do Americans think of when they hear the words \u201cgeneral education\u201d?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy definition, general education covers introductory college courses in arts and humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics. It has different names, including core curriculum or distribution requirements, depending on the college or university.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is also sometimes called liberal education, including by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aacu.org\/trending-topics\/what-is-liberal-education\u0022\u003EAmerican Association of Colleges and Universities\u003C\/a\u003E, which describes it as providing \u201ca sense of social responsibility, as well as strong and transferable intellectual and practical skills.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe liberal label can be fodder for conservative groups who argue that today\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ncfamily.org\/general-education-could-be-getting-a-makeover-at-public-universities\/\u0022\u003Egeneral education is part of an indoctrination\u003C\/a\u003E into higher education\u2019s purported left-leaning belief systems. Some other \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.heritage.org\/education\/report\/liberal-educations-antidote-indoctrination\u0022\u003Econservatives support\u003C\/a\u003E general education as a concept but want more emphasis on so-called traditional values and less on cross-cultural understanding. These initiatives position general education and college as a space for ideological battles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ritter.lmc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Escholar of historical connections between literacy and social class\u003C\/a\u003E, I know that general education was designed to provide opportunity for all students without regard for their political preferences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675235\/original\/file-20250618-56-kqchqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675235\/original\/file-20250618-56-kqchqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022A young Black man is sitting in front of students in a lecture hall, gesturing as they smile\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe value of a college education can be shaped by political affiliation. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/professor-engaging-with-students-during-university-royalty-free-image\/2190479100?phrase=college%20education%20for%20all\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003Ebernarddobo\/iStock via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAn Education for All\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEighty years ago, a group of Harvard University faculty created what many colleges and universities still follow as a template for general education. This plan was outlined in the book \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/generaleducation032440mbp\u0022\u003EGeneral Education in a Free Society\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHarvard\u2019s plan \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.harvard.edu\/president\/speeches-faust\/2009\/remarks-by-drew-gilpin-faust-at-the-general-education-launch-event\/\u0022\u003Ewas meant for all students\u003C\/a\u003E, including veterans studying under the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.va.gov\/education\/about-gi-bill-benefits\/\u0022\u003EGI Bill\u003C\/a\u003E, and others we today refer to as first generation, where neither parent had a college degree.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeneral education made college more accessible to students who were not becoming doctors or lawyers but who also wanted careers outside the vocational trades. It helped make college a place for educating all citizens, not just students of socioeconomic privilege.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExpanding access to higher education was central to the 1947 special report \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/acct.org\/advocacy\/legislative-priorities\/college-promise-resources\u0022\u003EHigher Education for American Democracy\u003C\/a\u003E, commissioned by President Harry Truman. The goal was to provide a foundational education for all, especially in math and science. But the report, commonly known as the Truman Commission Report, also included disciplines that help students understand the world \u2013 such as writing and communication, literature, psychology and history.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe purposes of general education are central to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chronicle.com\/article\/where-the-public-sees-value-in-higher-ed?sra=true\u0022\u003Etwo competing views of college\u003C\/a\u003E today, views that I also hear expressed by students and parents I\u2019ve met in my 28 years as a professor.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne view of college is of an on-campus experience \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/articles\/q-and-a-how-strengthening-liberal-education-can-help-college-students-become-good-citizens\u0022\u003Esteeped in the liberal arts\u003C\/a\u003E that holistically prepares students to live in a functioning democracy. These benefits are seen as worth the time and costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe other view is of college as a sum of career-focused credentials that can begin and end anywhere, not specific to one college campus. These benefits are completely financial, to be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/08\/13\/your-money\/college-degree-investment-return.html\u0022\u003Egained via the cheapest, quickest means\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth of these views are informed by national perspectives that further divide citizens on higher education as a whole, such as Vice President \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/fact-check-yes-vance-once-030000127.html\u0022\u003EJD Vance\u2019s 2021 statement\u003C\/a\u003E that \u201cthere was a wisdom in what Richard Nixon said approximately 40, 50 years ago. He said, and I quote, \u2018The professors are the enemy.\u2019\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth these groups of Americans, however, hope that obtaining a college degree \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/04\/09\/nx-s1-5342479\/survey-college-degree-associate-bachelors\u0022\u003Ewill pay off for graduates\u003C\/a\u003E who find employment and reach a standard of living better than their parents\u2019 generation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the first group, general education is critical to developing the whole student for jobs and life. For the latter, it is an expensive obstacle to it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot surprisingly, these views on education and college often correspond to political party identification and whether a person attended college themselves.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA July 2023 Lumina Foundation and Gallup Poll showed that only 36% of Americans have a \u201cgreat deal\u201d of confidence in higher education, with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/646880\/confidence-higher-education-closely-divided.aspx\u0022\u003Esignificant partisan differences\u003C\/a\u003E between the 20% of Republicans who have this confidence, the 56% of Democrats and the 35% of independents who have it. There are also measurable differences between those who have earned a postgraduate degree and those who have not.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/679651\/original\/file-20250711-56-pey607.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/679651\/original\/file-20250711-56-pey607.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022A student wearing a hooded sweatshirt slumps over a textbook.\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo cut costs, more students are searching for ways to complete general education requirements before they begin college. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/preparing-for-finals-is-hard-work-royalty-free-image\/186575695?phrase=students%20studying%20hard\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003EPeopleImages\/E+ via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EQuestioning Value\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs college costs continue to rise in 2025, families are struggling \u2013 even taking on payment plans for everyday purchases, also known as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/12\/20\/business\/economy\/pay-later-credit-debt.html\u0022\u003Ephantom debt\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 to make ends meet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeneral education represents about a third of the requirements of a bachelor\u2019s degree and most of an associate degree.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor those who see college as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/gen-z-graduates-college-poll-2064531\u0022\u003Ewaste of money\u003C\/a\u003E, general education courses are a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/mje\/2022\/04\/19\/the-deadweight-loss-of-college-general-education-requirements\/\u0022\u003Ecalculable loss on future income\u003C\/a\u003E. In the past two decades, this \u2013 and the increasingly competitive admissions process for college \u2013 has contributed to a tenfold increase in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/11\/18\/us\/college-board-ap-exams-courses.html\u0022\u003Elow-income students who take Advanced Placement courses\u003C\/a\u003E and a 50% increase since 2021 in the number of students in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.newamerica.org\/education-policy\/edcentral\/unpacking-dual-enrollment-benefits-barriers-and-opportunities-for-expansion\/\u0022\u003Edual-credit coursework\u003C\/a\u003E. Both programs allow students to complete general education-equivalent courses for free while still in high school.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EComplete College America, a nonprofit advocacy group that works with states to increase college completion rates, supports these moves by students and parents, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/completecollege.org\/momentum\/\u0022\u003Eclassifying general education\u003C\/a\u003E under \u201cgateway courses\u201d to be completed \u201cas soon as possible.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther groups promote \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mdc.edu\/credentials\/\u0022\u003Estackable units\u003C\/a\u003E of credit toward college degrees. This push to complete general education requirements \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apcentral.collegeboard.org\/about-ap\/ap-a-glance\/discover-benefits\u0022\u003Ebefore entering college\u003C\/a\u003E is gaining momentum, despite studies that show Advanced Placement classes, and exams, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/articles\/rethinking-the-goals-of-high-school-rigor-three-experts-weigh-in-on-the-ap-program-and-college-board\/\u0022\u003Efavor and benefit mostly white, middle- to upper-class students\u003C\/a\u003E because these students tend to have more time and resources to devote to AP coursework and also take multiple exams in order to earn college credit.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675236\/original\/file-20250618-56-fr5sxd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/675236\/original\/file-20250618-56-fr5sxd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022Students sit on steps talking to each other on a sunny day.\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor college students, general education can offer benefits beyond career attainment. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/university-students-hanging-out-in-campus-royalty-free-image\/1759999680?phrase=college%20future%20happy\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003Eferrantraite\/E+ via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EUnderstanding the World\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile arguments for streamlining college and its costs are evergreen, foundational lessons taught across fields of study are as relevant in 2025 as they were in 1945. The U.S. faces \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dziblatt.scholars.harvard.edu\/challenges-democracy\u0022\u003Ethreats to its democracy\u003C\/a\u003E, is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/focus-areas\/artificial-intelligence\u0022\u003Enavigating rapid advances in technology\u003C\/a\u003E, and is adapting to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cbo.gov\/publication\/59697\u0022\u003Epopulation shifts\u003C\/a\u003E that will change how its residents live and work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeneral education gives students broad foundational knowledge that can be used in a variety of careers. By design, it teaches an understanding of the world outside one\u2019s own and how to live in it \u2013 a core requirement for a functioning democracy.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/257083\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/college-general-education-requirements-help-prepare-students-for-citizenship-but-critics-say-its-learning-time-taken-away-from-useful-studies-257083\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhat do Americans think of when they hear the words \u201cgeneral education\u201d?\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"What do Americans think of when they hear the words \u201cgeneral education\u201d?"}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-07-24 17:57:56","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:13:03","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677481":{"id":"677481","type":"image","title":"Students learn about the arts and humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics in general education","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents learn about the arts and humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics in general education. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/graduation-day-achievement-silhouette-of-a-female-royalty-free-image\/2119464372?phrase=basics%20of%20a%20college%20education\u0026amp;searchscope=image%2Cfilm\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003EOlga Pankova\/Moment via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1753380043","gmt_created":"2025-07-24 18:00:43","changed":"1753380043","gmt_changed":"2025-07-24 18:00:43","alt":"Students learn about the arts and humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics in general education","file":{"fid":"261383","name":"file-20250711-56-rqocw4.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/24\/file-20250711-56-rqocw4.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/24\/file-20250711-56-rqocw4.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":62147,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/24\/file-20250711-56-rqocw4.jpg?itok=rZsau8xd"}}},"media_ids":["677481"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/college-general-education-requirements-help-prepare-students-for-citizenship-but-critics-say-its-learning-time-taken-away-from-useful-studies-257083","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1283","name":"School of Literature, Media, and Communication"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/kelly-ritter-1459563\u0022\u003EKelly Ritter\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of Writing and Communication, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683116":{"#nid":"683116","#data":{"type":"news","title":"AI in Healthcare Could Save Lives and Money \u2014 But Change Won\u2019t Happen\u00a0Overnight","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImagine walking into your doctor\u2019s office feeling sick \u2013 and rather than flipping through pages of your medical history or running tests that take days, your doctor instantly pulls together data from your health records, genetic profile and wearable devices to help decipher what\u2019s wrong.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis kind of rapid diagnosis is one of the big promises of artificial intelligence for use in health care. Proponents of the technology say that over the coming decades, AI has the potential to save hundreds of thousands, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2023\/06\/emerging-tech-like-ai-are-poised-to-make-healthcare-more-accurate-accessible-and-sustainable\/\u0022\u003Eeven millions of lives\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat\u2019s more, a 2023 study found that if the health care industry significantly increased its use of AI, up to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.healthcaredive.com\/news\/artificial-intelligence-healthcare-savings-harvard-mckinsey-report\/641163\/\u0022\u003EUS$360 billion annually could be saved\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut though artificial intelligence has become nearly ubiquitous, from smartphones to chatbots to self-driving cars, its impact on health care so far has been relatively low.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA 2024 American Medical Association survey found that 66% of U.S. physicians had used AI tools in some capacity, up from 38% in 2023. But most of it was for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ama-assn.org\/press-center\/ama-press-releases\/ama-physician-enthusiasm-grows-health-care-ai#:%7E\u0022\u003Eadministrative or low-risk support\u003C\/a\u003E. And although 43% of U.S. health care organizations had added or expanded AI use in 2024, many implementations \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.advisory.com\/daily-briefing\/2025\/02\/17\/ai-use\u0022\u003Eare still exploratory\u003C\/a\u003E, particularly when it comes to medical decisions and diagnoses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019m a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=BY9oaaoAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Eprofessor and researcher\u003C\/a\u003E who studies AI and health care analytics. I\u2019ll try to explain why AI\u2019s growth will be gradual, and how technical limitations and ethical concerns stand in the way of AI\u2019s widespread adoption by the medical industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EInaccurate Diagnoses, Racial Bias\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence excels at finding patterns in large sets of data. In medicine, these patterns could signal early signs of disease that a human physician might overlook \u2013 or indicate the best treatment option, based on how other patients with similar symptoms and backgrounds responded. Ultimately, this will lead to faster, more accurate diagnoses and more personalized care.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI can also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/bioengineering11040337\u0022\u003Ehelp hospitals run more efficiently\u003C\/a\u003E by analyzing workflows, predicting staffing needs and scheduling surgeries so that precious resources, such as operating rooms, are used most effectively. By streamlining tasks that take hours of human effort, AI can let health care professionals focus more on direct patient care.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut for all its power, AI \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hai.stanford.edu\/news\/whos-fault-when-ai-fails-health-care\u0022\u003Ecan make mistakes\u003C\/a\u003E. Although these systems are trained on data from real patients, they can struggle when encountering something unusual, or when data doesn\u2019t perfectly match the patient in front of them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a result, AI doesn\u2019t always give an accurate diagnosis. This problem is called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-46142-w\u0022\u003Ealgorithmic drift\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 when AI systems perform well in controlled settings but lose accuracy in real-world situations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERacial and ethnic bias is another issue. If \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/noise-in-the-machine-human-differences-in-judgment-lead-to-problems-for-ai-228984\u0022\u003Edata includes bias\u003C\/a\u003E because it doesn\u2019t include enough patients of certain racial or ethnic groups, then AI might give inaccurate recommendations for them, leading to misdiagnoses. Some evidence suggests \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40615-024-02237-0\u0022\u003Ethis has already happened\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qetKUFDDF4A?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EHumans and AI are beginning to work together at this Florida hospital.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EData-Sharing Concerns, Unrealistic Expectations\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHealth care systems are labyrinthian in their complexity. The prospect of integrating artificial intelligence \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7759\/cureus.46454\u0022\u003Einto existing workflows is daunting\u003C\/a\u003E; introducing a new technology like AI disrupts daily routines. Staff will need extra training to use AI tools effectively. Many hospitals, clinics and doctor\u2019s offices simply don\u2019t have the time, personnel, money or will to implement AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlso, many cutting-edge AI systems operate as opaque \u201cblack boxes.\u201d They churn out recommendations, but even its developers might struggle to fully explain how. This opacity clashes with the needs of medicine, where decisions demand justification.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut developers are often reluctant to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fhumd.2024.1421273\u0022\u003Edisclose their proprietary algorithms or data sources\u003C\/a\u003E, both to protect intellectual property and because the complexity can be hard to distill. The lack of transparency feeds skepticism among practitioners, which then slows regulatory approval and erodes trust in AI outputs. Many experts argue that transparency is not just an ethical nicety but \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fdgth.2024.1267290\u0022\u003Ea practical necessity for adoption\u003C\/a\u003E in health care settings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/healthcare10101878\u0022\u003Eprivacy concerns\u003C\/a\u003E; data sharing could \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hbr.org\/2019\/10\/adopting-ai-in-health-care-will-be-slow-and-difficult\u0022\u003Ethreaten patient confidentiality\u003C\/a\u003E. To train algorithms or make predictions, medical AI systems often require huge amounts of patient data. If not handled properly, AI could expose sensitive health information, whether through data breaches or unintended use of patient records.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor instance, a clinician using a cloud-based AI assistant to draft a note must ensure no unauthorized party can access that patient\u2019s data. U.S. regulations \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/hipaa\/for-professionals\/privacy\/laws-regulations\/index.html\u0022\u003Esuch as the HIPAA law\u003C\/a\u003E impose strict rules on health data sharing, which means AI developers need robust safeguards.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrivacy concerns also extend to patients\u2019 trust: If people fear their medical data might be misused by an algorithm, they may be less forthcoming or even refuse AI-guided care.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe grand promise of AI is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.socscimed.2023.116442\u0022\u003Ea formidable barrier in itself\u003C\/a\u003E. Expectations are tremendous. AI is often portrayed as a magical solution that can diagnose any disease and revolutionize the health care industry overnight. Unrealistic assumptions like that often lead to disappointment. AI may not immediately deliver on its promises.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, developing an AI system that works well involves a lot of trial and error. AI systems must go through rigorous testing to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/time.com\/6958868\/artificial-intelligence-safety-evaluations-risks\/\u0022\u003Emake certain they\u2019re safe and effective\u003C\/a\u003E. This takes years, and even after a system is approved, adjustments may be needed as it encounters new types of data and real-world situations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/f7SIwZJwmzE?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAI could rapidly accelerate the discovery of new medications.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIncremental Change\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, hospitals are rapidly adopting AI scribes that listen during patient visits and automatically draft clinical notes, reducing paperwork and letting physicians spend more time with patients. Surveys show over 20% of physicians now use AI for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ama-assn.org\/press-center\/ama-press-releases\/ama-physician-enthusiasm-grows-health-care-ai#:%7E\u0022\u003Ewriting progress notes or discharge summaries\u003C\/a\u003E. AI is also becoming a quiet force in administrative work. Hospitals deploy AI chatbots to handle appointment scheduling, triage common patient questions and translate languages in real time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClinical uses of AI exist but are more limited. At some hospitals, AI is a second eye for radiologists \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jacr.2019.05.036\u0022\u003Elooking for early signs of disease\u003C\/a\u003E. But physicians are still reluctant to hand decisions over to machines; only about 12% of them currently \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ama-assn.org\/practice-management\/digital-health\/2-3-physicians-are-using-health-ai-78-2023\u0022\u003Erely on AI for diagnostic help\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuffice to say that health care\u2019s transition to AI will be incremental. Emerging technologies need time to mature, and the short-term needs of health care still outweigh long-term gains. In the meantime, AI\u2019s potential to treat millions and save trillions awaits.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/241551\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ai-in-health-care-could-save-lives-and-money-but-change-wont-happen-overnight-241551\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThough artificial intelligence has become nearly ubiquitous, from smartphones to chatbots to self-driving cars, its impact on health care so far has been relatively low.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Though artificial intelligence has become nearly ubiquitous, from smartphones to chatbots to self-driving cars, its impact on health care so far has been relatively low."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-07-11 15:36:58","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:12:48","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677407":{"id":"677407","type":"image","title":" AI will help human physicians by analyzing patient data prior to surgery. Boy_Anupong\/Moment via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI will help human physicians by analyzing patient data prior to surgery. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/artificial-intelligence-robot-while-analyzing-royalty-free-image\/2153167997?phrase=AI%20in%20hospital%20setting\u0026amp;searchscope=image%2Cfilm\u0026amp;adppopup=true\u0022\u003EBoy_Anupong\/Moment via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1752508399","gmt_created":"2025-07-14 15:53:19","changed":"1752508399","gmt_changed":"2025-07-14 15:53:19","alt":" AI will help human physicians by analyzing patient data prior to surgery. Boy_Anupong\/Moment via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"261302","name":"file-20250603-68-b488qp.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/14\/file-20250603-68-b488qp.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/14\/file-20250603-68-b488qp.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":204171,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/14\/file-20250603-68-b488qp.jpg?itok=vW2nFiFp"}}},"media_ids":["677407"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ai-in-health-care-could-save-lives-and-money-but-change-wont-happen-overnight-241551","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"57458","name":"ISyE External News"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/turgay-ayer-2237122\u0022\u003ETurgay Ayer\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679707":{"#nid":"679707","#data":{"type":"news","title":" From Watts to Warheads: Secretary of Energy Oversees Big Science Research and the US Nuclear Arsenal","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Energy was created in 1977 by merging two agencies with different missions: the Atomic Energy Commission, which developed, tested and maintained the nation\u2019s nuclear weapons, and the Energy Research and Development Administration, a collection of domestic energy research programs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday the department describes itself, with what some might call understatement, as \u201cone of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/lm\/brief-history-department-energy\u0022\u003Emost interesting and diverse agencies\u003C\/a\u003E in the Federal government.\u201d Its annual budget of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2023-06\/doe-fy2024-budget-in-brief-v5.pdf\u0022\u003Eroughly US$50 billion\u003C\/a\u003E supports some \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/trumpadministration.archives.performance.gov\/energy\/\u0022\u003E14,000 employees and 95,000 contractors\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe secretary of energy advises the president on energy policy and guides energy and nuclear weapons production initiatives. As researchers who study \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=KgIcD3cAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Eenergy efficiency\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=0bP6RhYAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Enational security\u003C\/a\u003E and who work with the Energy Department, we have seen that its secretary needs to be able to think long-term and make strategic decisions, sometimes with incomplete information. A good grasp of science, engineering and energy technology is helpful, as are the abilities to lead a large organization and to work with Congress.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EScientific Research and Development\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Department\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/science\/office-science\u0022\u003EOffice of Science\u003C\/a\u003E supports a large portion of basic U.S. scientific research, including fusion energy, particle physics, chemistry and material science. Together with the agency\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/eere\/office-energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy\u0022\u003EOffice of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy\u003C\/a\u003E, the agency manages a research portfolio with a budget of roughly $12 billion \u2013 nearly as large as that of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the other major federal funder of basic research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany energy secretaries have made their greatest marks by supporting and directing research. For example, during the first Trump administration, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/person\/rick-perry\u0022\u003ERick Perry\u003C\/a\u003E recognized potential cyber-terrorism risks to U.S. energy infrastructure and supported research in artificial intelligence. This led to the creation of the agency\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/ceser\/office-cybersecurity-energy-security-and-emergency-response\u0022\u003EOffice of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/steven-chu-resigns-us-energy-secretary\u0022\u003ESteven Chu\u003C\/a\u003E, who led the department from 2009 to 2013 under former President Barack Obama, initiated the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arpa-e.energy.gov\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Research Projects Agency\u2013Energy, or ARPA-E\u003C\/a\u003E, a division that focuses on new, cutting-edge energy innovations at stages too early to attract private-sector investment. ARPA-E projects have led to the creation of over 100 new companies and to over 1,000 patents on a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arpa-e.energy.gov\/about\/our-impact\/2023-impact-card#\u0022\u003Ewide range of energy technologies\u003C\/a\u003E, including hybrid-electric aircraft, carbon dioxide capture from the air and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arpa-e.energy.gov\/impact-sheet\/smart-wires-geni\u0022\u003Eimproved electricity transmission\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost recently, during the Biden administration, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/person\/jennifer-m-granholm\u0022\u003EJennifer Granholm\u003C\/a\u003E focused on working with business and industry to deploy clean energy technologies in support of U.S. climate goals. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/articles\/remarks-delivered-secretary-jennifer-granholm-new-industrial-revolution-clean-energy\u0022\u003EThis effort\u003C\/a\u003E has included offering grants, loans and rebates, filling gaps in supply chains, and promoting domestic manufacturing of components such as advanced batteries and solar panels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4oMAhpdCIXA?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EDuring the Biden administration, the Energy Department offered large-scale grants and loans to promote domestic manufacturing of clean energy technologies, such as advanced batteries.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EResearch Payoffs\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuch of the research that the Energy Department funds can take years to produce results with commercial applications, but it has had some notable successes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince the late 1970s, the agency has invested significantly in shale oil research. Combined with additional research and development by private energy companies, the Energy Department helped develop \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/thebreakthrough.org\/issues\/energy\/us-government-role-in-shale-gas-fracking-history-a-response-to-our-critics\u0022\u003Efracking and horizontal drilling\u003C\/a\u003E. These technologies have revolutionized petroleum and natural gas production and made the U.S. the world\u2019s largest \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=61545\u0022\u003Eproducer of oil\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/264101\/world-natural-gas-production-by-country\/\u0022\u003Enatural gas\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Department funding supported the commercialization of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/energysaver\/led-lighting\u0022\u003ELED lights\u003C\/a\u003E, which are highly efficient and long-lasting. It also has enabled breakthroughs in other \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nap.nationalacademies.org\/catalog\/10165\/energy-research-at-doe-was-it-worth-it-energy-efficiency\u0022\u003Eenergy-efficient technologies\u003C\/a\u003E, solar and wind energy production, battery technology, and geothermal and wave energy. The agency provides critical support for research on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/fusion-energy\u0022\u003Enuclear fusion\u003C\/a\u003E, which promises to be a clean and abundant source of energy, although it is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nuclear-fusion-could-one-day-be-a-viable-clean-energy-source-but-big-engineering-challenges-stand-in-the-way-237544\u0022\u003Efar from commercialization today\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere also are large swaths of U.S. energy policy that the Energy Department doesn\u2019t control. For example, leases and permits for energy production \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/\u0022\u003Eon public lands\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.boem.gov\/\u0022\u003Ein federal waters\u003C\/a\u003E are awarded by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.doi.gov\/\u0022\u003EDepartment of the Interior\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ferc.gov\/\u0022\u003EFederal Energy Regulatory Commission\u003C\/a\u003E, an independent agency, controls the siting of oil and natural gas pipelines and interstate electricity transmission lines. Another independent agency, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nrc.gov\/\u0022\u003ENuclear Regulatory Commission\u003C\/a\u003E, licenses and regulates the nuclear power industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill, energy secretaries often champion broad strategies that overlap with the mission and authority of other federal departments and agencies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ENuclear Weapons and National Security\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Department\u2019s other mission \u2013 developing and maintaining nuclear weapons \u2013 is steered by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/nnsa\/national-nuclear-security-administration\u0022\u003ENational Nuclear Security Administration\u003C\/a\u003E, a semi-autonomous agency within the department. Organizationally, the NNSA is the great-grandchild of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.osti.gov\/opennet\/manhattan-project-history\/Events\/1945-present\/med_45-46.htm\u0022\u003EManhattan Engineer District\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 the post-World War II incarnation of the Manhattan Project that developed the first U.S. atomic weapons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe NNSA is headed by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/nnsa\/person\/jill-hruby\u0022\u003Ean administrator\u003C\/a\u003E who also serves as undersecretary of energy for nuclear security, a Senate-confirmed position. When the energy secretary\u2019s background is in domestic energy \u2013 like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/libertyenergy.com\/about\/leadership\/\u0022\u003Eoil executive Chris Wright\u003C\/a\u003E, President-elect Trump\u2019s choice to head the agency \u2013 the leader of the NNSA is likely to be especially influential on national security issues.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf the Energy Department\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/national-laboratories\u0022\u003E17 national laboratories\u003C\/a\u003E, three \u2013 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lanl.gov\/\u0022\u003ELos Alamos\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sandia.gov\/\u0022\u003ESandia\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.llnl.gov\/\u0022\u003ELawrence Livermore\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 are officially overseen by the NNSA. Others receive significant NNSA funding and play roles in maintaining the U.S. nuclear arsenal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe NNSA also oversees \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nnss.gov\/about-the-nnss\/\u0022\u003Eexperimental and testing facilities\u003C\/a\u003E and other sites involved in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/nnsa\/us-nuclear-weapons-stockpile\u0022\u003Edesign, production and testing of nuclear weapons\u003C\/a\u003E. It is responsible for storing and securing warheads that are not deployed at military installations, and for dismantling retired warheads.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA separate office, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/em\/office-environmental-management\u0022\u003EEnvironmental Management\u003C\/a\u003E, oversees the cleanup of nuclear research and production sites, some of which have contamination \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/lm\/about-us\u0022\u003Edating back to World War II\u003C\/a\u003E. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2023-03\/doe-fy2024-budget-in-brief.pdf\u0022\u003Elargest environmental cleanup program in the world\u003C\/a\u003E, it consumes about $8 billion annually \u2013 one-sixth of the agency\u2019s entire budget. It handles large amounts of radioactive wastes, spent nuclear fuel, excess plutonium and uranium, and contaminated facilities, soil and groundwater.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe NNSA plays a critical role in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/nnsa\/nonproliferation\u0022\u003Epreventing the spread of nuclear weapons\u003C\/a\u003E and the materials and technologies needed to make them. It is part of the intelligence community with deep technical expertise, and responds to nuclear and radiological threats globally.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, the NNSA designs and supports the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/nnsa\/powering-navy\u0022\u003Enuclear reactors that propel Navy ships and submarines\u003C\/a\u003E around the globe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHistorically, the NNSA administrator has had a great deal of autonomy. Most administrators bring deep technical and policy expertise to the job. Some are retired Navy or Air Force officers who have worked with nuclear weapons or naval propulsion systems. Others are researchers with long tenures at Department of Energy laboratories.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAging Weapons, Sites, and Workers\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe next energy secretary and NNSA administrator will face major technical, economic and management challenges. The NNSA has been working for years to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/nuclear-weapons-and-forces-sustainment-and-modernization\u0022\u003Emodernize nuclear weapons production infrastructure\u003C\/a\u003E, which is aging and underfunded. At the same time, the Energy Department is working with the Defense Department to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2024\/10\/10\/opinion\/nuclear-weapons-us-price.html\u0022\u003Eupdate U.S. nuclear weapons and strategic nuclear forces\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 bombers, ballistic missiles and submarines \u2013 to deter threats from other nations. This effort \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fas.org\/publication\/nuclear-weapons-2024\/\u0022\u003Ecould cost up to $1.7 trillion\u003C\/a\u003E over several decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VTQ8yZSyrC0?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EReplacing aging Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles is just one component of a large-scale modernization of U.S. nuclear forces.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of the NNSA\u2019s major modernization projects are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/products\/gao-23-104402\u0022\u003Eover budget and years behind schedule\u003C\/a\u003E. The U.S. Government Accountability Office recently reported that the NNSA \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/assets\/gao-24-106342.pdf\u0022\u003Eneeds to improve its program management practices\u003C\/a\u003E in order to control costs and successfully execute these expensive initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe incoming administration will also have to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2022-Nuclear-Posture-Review.pdf\u0022\u003Erecruit and sustain a highly skilled workforce\u003C\/a\u003E for nuclear security programs. Many retirement-eligible employees have already left the agency. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rand.org\/content\/dam\/rand\/pubs\/research_reports\/RRA1200\/RRA1227-1\/RAND_RRA1227-1.pdf\u0022\u003EMore will exit\u003C\/a\u003E over the next four years, often drawn by private-sector salaries and perceived better working conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the Energy Department touts its high-tech laboratories and research facilities, the agency\u2019s people are equally critical to its mission.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis story is part of a \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us\/topics\/cabinet-profile-168416\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eseries of profiles\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E of Cabinet and high-level administration positions.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/245993\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-watts-to-warheads-secretary-of-energy-oversees-big-science-research-and-the-us-nuclear-arsenal-245993\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Energy was created in 1977 by merging two agencies with different missions: the Atomic Energy Commission, which developed, tested and maintained the nation\u2019s nuclear weapons, and the Energy Research and Development Administration.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The U.S. Department of Energy was created in 1977 by merging two agencies with different missions: the Atomic Energy Commission, which developed, tested and maintained the nation\u2019s nuclear weapons, and the Energy Research and Development Administration."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-01-17 16:15:19","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:12:36","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676053":{"id":"676053","type":"image","title":" The Energy Department recently finished modernizing the B61-12 nuclear bomb, extending its service life by at least 20 years. Devan Halstead, U.S. Air Force","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Department recently finished modernizing the B61-12 nuclear bomb, extending its service life by at least 20 years. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.whiteman.af.mil\/News\/Art\/igphoto\/2003032217\/\u0022\u003EDevan Halstead, U.S. Air Force\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1737130927","gmt_created":"2025-01-17 16:22:07","changed":"1737130927","gmt_changed":"2025-01-17 16:22:07","alt":" The Energy Department recently finished modernizing the B61-12 nuclear bomb, extending its service life by at least 20 years. Devan Halstead, U.S. Air Force","file":{"fid":"259758","name":"file-20250110-15-d9snhi copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250110-15-d9snhi%20copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250110-15-d9snhi%20copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":368569,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/17\/file-20250110-15-d9snhi%20copy.jpg?itok=kZS5u0tT"}}},"media_ids":["676053"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-watts-to-warheads-secretary-of-energy-oversees-big-science-research-and-the-us-nuclear-arsenal-245993","title":"Read This Story on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"57458","name":"ISyE External News"},{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/valerie-thomas-1633560\u0022\u003EValerie Thomas\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/margaret-e-kosal-2280532\u0022\u003EMargaret E. Kosal\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683491":{"#nid":"683491","#data":{"type":"news","title":"\u2018AI Veganism\u2019: Some People\u2019s Issues With AI Parallel Vegans\u2019 Concerns About\u00a0Diet","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENew technologies usually follow the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hbr.org\/data-visuals\/2024\/03\/the-technology-adoption-life-cycle\u0022\u003Etechnology adoption life cycle\u003C\/a\u003E. Innovators and early adopters \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.13140\/RG.2.2.23573.84969\u0022\u003Erush to embrace new technologies\u003C\/a\u003E, while laggards and skeptics jump in much later.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt first glance, it looks like artificial intelligence is following the same pattern, but a new crop of studies suggests that AI might follow a different course \u2013 one with significant implications for business, education and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis general phenomenon has often been described as \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2196\/51086\u0022\u003EAI hesitancy\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d or \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/frai.2022.1006173\u0022\u003EAI reluctance\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d The typical adoption curve assumes a person who is hesitant or reluctant to embrace a technology will eventually do so anyway. This pattern has repeated over and over \u2013 why would AI be any different?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEmerging research on the reasons behind AI hesitancy, however, suggests there are different dynamics at play that might alter the traditional adoption cycle. For example, a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu\/server\/api\/core\/bitstreams\/961d338d-c058-4fc8-b3e8-3753dc2f171e\/content\u0022\u003Erecent study\u003C\/a\u003E found that while some causes of this hesitation closely mirror those regarding previous technologies, others are unique to AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn many ways, as someone who \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=yaCigtkAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Eclosely watches the spread of AI\u003C\/a\u003E, there may be a better analogy: veganism.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAI Veganism\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe idea of an AI vegan is someone who abstains from using AI, the same way a vegan is someone who abstains from eating products derived from animals. Generally, the reasons people choose veganism do not fade automatically over time. They might be reasons that can be addressed, but they\u2019re not just about getting more comfortable eating animals and animal products. That\u2019s why the analogy in the case of AI is appealing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike many other technologies, it\u2019s important not to assume that skeptics and laggards will eventually become adopters. Many of those refusing to embrace AI actually fit the traditional archetype of an early adopter. The study on AI hesitation focused on college students who are often among the first demographics to adopt new technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is some historical precedent for this analogy. Under the hood, AI is just a set of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-is-an-algorithm-how-computers-know-what-to-do-with-data-146665\u0022\u003Ealgorithms\u003C\/a\u003E. Algorithmic aversion \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/bdm.2155\u0022\u003Eis a well-known phenomenon\u003C\/a\u003E where humans are biased against algorithmic decision-making \u2013 even if it is shown to be more effective. For example, people \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022243719851788\u0022\u003Eprefer dating advice from humans\u003C\/a\u003E over advice from algorithms, even when the algorithms perform better.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the analogy to veganism applies in other ways, providing insights into what to expect in the future. In fact, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.appet.2021.105614\u0022\u003Estudies show\u003C\/a\u003E that three of the main reasons people choose veganism each have a parallel in AI avoidance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEthical Concerns\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne motivation for veganism is concern over the ethical sourcing of animal by-products. Similarly, studies have found that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/informatics11030058\u0022\u003Ewhen users are aware\u003C\/a\u003E that many content creators did not knowingly opt into letting their work be used to train AI, they are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10447318.2023.2178612\u0022\u003Emore likely to avoid using AI\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682523\/original\/file-20250728-78-kk610m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022a woman in a crowd holds a sign over her head\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682523\/original\/file-20250728-78-kk610m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682523\/original\/file-20250728-78-kk610m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=429\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682523\/original\/file-20250728-78-kk610m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=429\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682523\/original\/file-20250728-78-kk610m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=429\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682523\/original\/file-20250728-78-kk610m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=539\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682523\/original\/file-20250728-78-kk610m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=539\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682523\/original\/file-20250728-78-kk610m.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=539\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EMany vegans have ethical concerns about the treatment of animals. Some people who avoid using AI have ethical concerns about the treatment of content creators.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/protester-holds-a-pro-vegan-placard-during-the-news-photo\/1627640210?adppopup=true\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EVuk Valcic\/SOPA Images\/LightRocket via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese concerns were at the center of the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strikes in 2023, where the two unions \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1057\/s41599-024-04204-w\u0022\u003Eargued for legal protections\u003C\/a\u003E against companies using creatives\u2019 works to train AI without consent or compensation. While some creators may be protected by such trade agreements, lots of models are instead trained on the work of amateur, independent or freelance creators without these systematic protections.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEnvironmental Concerns\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA second motivation for veganism is concern over the environmental impacts of intensive animal agriculture, from deforestation to methane production. Research has shown that the computing resources needed to support AI \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.2139\/ssrn.4887664\u0022\u003Eare growing exponentially\u003C\/a\u003E, dramatically increasing demand for electricity and water, and that efficiency improvements are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cnrs.hal.science\/hal-04839926\/\u0022\u003Eunlikely to lower the overall power usage\u003C\/a\u003E due to a rebound effect, which is when efficiency gains spur new technologies that consume more energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne preliminary study found that increasing users\u2019 awareness of the power demands of AI can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3706599.3719708\u0022\u003Eaffect how they use these systems\u003C\/a\u003E. Another survey found that concern about water usage to cool AI systems \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.thetimes.com\/uk\/education\/article\/gen-z-students-wont-use-chatgpt-but-not-because-its-cheating-v8rffjlc0\u0022\u003Ewas a factor\u003C\/a\u003E in students\u2019 refusal to use the technology at Cambridge University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/681602\/original\/file-20250722-55-dy0wpw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022a woman in a crowd holds a hand-painted sign\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/681602\/original\/file-20250722-55-dy0wpw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/681602\/original\/file-20250722-55-dy0wpw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/681602\/original\/file-20250722-55-dy0wpw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/681602\/original\/file-20250722-55-dy0wpw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/681602\/original\/file-20250722-55-dy0wpw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/681602\/original\/file-20250722-55-dy0wpw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/681602\/original\/file-20250722-55-dy0wpw.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EBoth AI and meat production spark concerns about environmental impact.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/protester-holds-a-placard-saying-vegan-for-the-planet-at-news-photo\/1243489167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EKichul Shin\/NurPhoto via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPersonal Wellness\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA third motivation for veganism is concern for possible negative health effects of eating animals and animal products. A potential parallel concern could be at work in AI veganism.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA Microsoft Research study found that people who were more confident in using generative AI showed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3706598.3713778\u0022\u003Ediminished critical thinking\u003C\/a\u003E. The 2025 Cambridge University survey found some students avoiding AI out of concern that using \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.thetimes.com\/uk\/education\/article\/gen-z-students-wont-use-chatgpt-but-not-because-its-cheating-v8rffjlc0\u0022\u003Eit could make them lazy\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is not hard to imagine that the possible negative mental health effects of using AI could drive some AI abstinence in the same way the possible negative physical health effects of an omnivorous diet may drive some to veganism.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow Society Reacts\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVeganism has led to a dedicated industry catering to that diet. Some restaurants feature vegan entrees. Some manufacturers specialize in vegan foods. Could it be the case that some companies will try to use the absence of AI as a selling point for their products and services?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf so, it would be similar to how companies such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/duckduckgo.com\u0022\u003EDuckDuckGo\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mozillafoundation.org\/en\/\u0022\u003EMozilla Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E provide alternative search engines and web browsers with enhanced privacy as their main feature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are few vegans compared to nonvegans in the U.S. Estimates range as high as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.statista.com\/topics\/3377\/vegan-market\/#topicOverview\u0022\u003E4% of the population\u003C\/a\u003E. But the persistence of veganism has enabled a niche market to serve them. Time will tell if AI veganism takes hold.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/260277\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ai-veganism-some-peoples-issues-with-ai-parallel-vegans-concerns-about-diet-260277\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew technologies usually follow the technology adoption life cycle. Innovators and early adopters rush to embrace new technologies, while laggards and skeptics jump in much later.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New technologies usually follow the technology adoption life cycle. Innovators and early adopters rush to embrace new technologies, while laggards and skeptics jump in much later."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-08-04 14:13:24","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:12:02","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677556":{"id":"677556","type":"image","title":"Ethical concerns \u2013 like the mistreatment of content creators decried by this protester \u2013 drive both veganism and resistance to using AI. Mario Tama\/Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEthical concerns \u2013 like the mistreatment of content creators decried by this protester \u2013 drive both veganism and resistance to using AI. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/sign-refers-to-a-i-as-striking-sag-aftra-members-and-news-photo\/1739395288\u0022\u003EMario Tama\/Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1754318347","gmt_created":"2025-08-04 14:39:07","changed":"1754318347","gmt_changed":"2025-08-04 14:39:07","alt":"Ethical concerns \u2013 like the mistreatment of content creators decried by this protester \u2013 drive both veganism and resistance to using AI. Mario Tama\/Getty Images","file":{"fid":"261467","name":"file-20250722-55-tidvfy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/04\/file-20250722-55-tidvfy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/04\/file-20250722-55-tidvfy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":302034,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/04\/file-20250722-55-tidvfy.jpg?itok=QyOZOg4o"}}},"media_ids":["677556"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ai-veganism-some-peoples-issues-with-ai-parallel-vegans-concerns-about-diet-260277","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/david-joyner-2424356\u0022\u003EDavid Joyner\u003C\/a\u003E, associate dean and senior research associate, College of Computing,\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683928":{"#nid":"683928","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Twenty Years After Katrina: How Levee Failures Changed America","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, it wasn\u2019t just another storm \u2014 it was one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Entire neighborhoods disappeared, families were scattered, and lives were split into \u201cbefore\u201d and \u201cafter.\u201d Nearly 20 years later, the haunting images of submerged rooftops and boat rescues remain vivid.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Surge That Shattered New Orleans\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn Aug. 29, 2005, early reports claimed New Orleans had \u201cdodged the bullet.\u201d But offshore winds funneled water into the city\u2019s canals, triggering multiple catastrophic levee failures. The Lower Ninth Ward, where most fatalities occurred, was devastated as many residents, misled by comparisons to Hurricane Camille, chose not to evacuate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cKatrina\u2019s storm surge was exceptional,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/hermann-m-fritz\u0022\u003EHermann Fritz\u003C\/a\u003E, a civil engineering professor at Georgia Tech. \u201cIn some areas, we saw water levels over 27 feet\u0026nbsp;\u2014 that\u2019s like a three-story building.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile much attention focused on New Orleans\u2019 levee failures, Fritz points out that the surge\u2019s sheer height and energy would have overwhelmed even more robust defenses in some areas. \u201cKatrina showed us that nature can produce forces beyond our engineering designs,\u201d he says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Disaster of Inequality\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe storm didn\u2019t strike evenly; it exposed and deepened existing social and economic inequalities. \u201cThe disaster hit lower-income Black neighborhoods hardest,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/allen-hyde\u0022\u003EAllen Hyde\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of history and sociology. He notes how years of segregation, disinvestment, and discriminatory housing policies left these communities uniquely vulnerable. Hyde continues, \u201cMany homes were in low-lying, flood-prone areas, and residents often lacked access to reliable transportation, making evacuation difficult or impossible.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia\u2019s Changing Landscape: Migration and Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKatrina displaced hundreds of thousands and claimed a staggering toll of more than 1,800 lives. Georgia quickly absorbed many evacuees, reshaping its demographics and infrastructure. \u201cHurricane Katrina led to one of the largest displacements of people due to a natural disaster,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/shatakshee-dhongde\u0022\u003EShatakshee Dhongde\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor of economics. \u201cIt changed the demographics of Georgia in measurable ways, from school enrollment to the labor market.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Census Bureau tracked this migration, noting spikes in Louisiana-born residents in metro Atlanta. Local school districts enrolled hundreds of new students almost overnight, while housing markets saw increased demand from families looking for permanent homes. The arrival of so many displaced residents didn\u2019t just strain schools and housing \u2014 it reshaped the state\u2019s economy. Dhongde notes that evacuees often brought new skills, business ideas, and networks. At the same time, the state and local governments faced the financial burden of expanding social services, healthcare, and housing assistance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDhongde adds, \u201cThe impact of a disaster doesn\u2019t stop at the water\u2019s edge. It travels with people, and those effects can last for years.\u201d While the influx strained services, it also enriched Georgia\u2019s cultural and economic fabric.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHyde notes, \u201cGentrification made many neighborhoods unaffordable for former residents,\u201d and adds that many Black evacuees didn\u2019t return to New Orleans due to economic barriers and post-Katrina gentrification. Cultural communities scattered across cities like Atlanta, Houston, and Baton Rouge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELessons the Levees Still Teach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Fritz, Katrina remains a wake-up call for coastal preparedness.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003E\u201cWe can\u2019t stop hurricanes,\u201d he says, \u201cbut we can improve how we design and maintain our defenses, and how we evacuate people before it\u2019s too late.\u201d He warns that climate change, with its potential to intensify storms, makes those improvements even more urgent.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDhongde sees a parallel need for social and economic planning. \u201cDisaster preparedness isn\u2019t just about sandbags and levees,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s also about ensuring the communities receiving evacuees have the resources and support systems to integrate them successfully.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, Hyde stresses the importance of engaging youth and communities in preparedness efforts. \u201cYouth advocacy programs, like those we\u2019re piloting in Georgia, empower young people in marginalized neighborhoods with knowledge and agency to build long-term resilience. Disaster planning must be a community effort, inclusive and forward-looking.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwenty years after Hurricane Katrina\u2019s catastrophic landfall, its legacy of destruction, displacement, and deepened inequality continues to shape communities and challenge disaster preparedness across the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina\u2019s catastrophic landfall, its legacy of destruction, displacement, and deepened inequality continues to shape communities and challenge disaster preparedness across the U.S."}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2025-08-18 20:59:51","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:11:54","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677735":{"id":"677735","type":"image","title":"Hurricane Katrina New Orleans","body":null,"created":"1755620033","gmt_created":"2025-08-19 16:13:53","changed":"1755620033","gmt_changed":"2025-08-19 16:13:53","alt":"Flooding in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina","file":{"fid":"261668","name":"AdobeStock_243012601.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/19\/AdobeStock_243012601.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/19\/AdobeStock_243012601.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3672480,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/19\/AdobeStock_243012601.jpeg?itok=Mj7riyMS"}},"677737":{"id":"677737","type":"image","title":"Katrina.jpg","body":null,"created":"1755622437","gmt_created":"2025-08-19 16:53:57","changed":"1755622437","gmt_changed":"2025-08-19 16:53:57","alt":"Three changes since Katrina that still have an impact two decades later","file":{"fid":"261671","name":"Katrina.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/19\/Katrina.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/19\/Katrina.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1316301,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/19\/Katrina.jpg?itok=IvnP-aCU"}}},"media_ids":["677735","677737"],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"1647","name":"Hurricane Katrina"},{"id":"1860","name":"hurricane"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESenior Media Relations Representative\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685455":{"#nid":"685455","#data":{"type":"news","title":"What Happens When AI Comes to the Cotton\u00a0Fields","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrecision agriculture uses tools and technologies such as GPS and sensors to monitor, measure and respond to changes within a farm field in real time. This includes \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/3-ways-ai-can-help-farmers-tackle-the-challenges-of-modern-agriculture-213210\u0022\u003Eusing artificial intelligence\u003C\/a\u003E technologies for tasks such as helping farmers apply pesticides only where and when they are needed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, precision agriculture has \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/assets\/870\/865822.pdf\u0022\u003Enot been widely implemented\u003C\/a\u003E in many rural areas of the United States.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe study \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=Smg8NicAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Esmart communities\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=bRCOhqUAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Eenvironmental health sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholars.georgiasouthern.edu\/en\/persons\/james-e-thomas-2\u0022\u003Ehealth policy and community health\u003C\/a\u003E, and we participated in a research project on AI and pesticide use in a rural Georgia agricultural community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur team, led by Georgia Southern University and the City of Millen, with support from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, local high schools and agriculture technology company \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.farmsense.io\/\u0022\u003EFarmSense\u003C\/a\u003E, is piloting AI-powered sensors to help cotton farmers optimize pesticide use. Georgia is one of the top cotton-producing states in the U.S., with cotton \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.farm-monitor.com\/georgia-cotton-growers-face-challenges-change-in-2025\/\u0022\u003Econtributing nearly US$1 billion\u003C\/a\u003E to the state\u2019s economy in 2024. But \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/assets\/870\/865822.pdf\u0022\u003Eonly 13%\u003C\/a\u003E of Georgia farmers use precision agriculture practices.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPublic-Private-Academic Partnership\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInnovation drives economic growth, but access to it often stops at major city limits. Smaller and rural communities are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jrurstud.2020.08.042\u0022\u003Efrequently left out\u003C\/a\u003E, lacking the funding, partnerships and technical resources that fuel progress elsewhere.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the same time, 75% of generative AI\u2019s projected economic impact is concentrated in customer operations, marketing, software engineering and research and development, according to a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/capabilities\/mckinsey-digital\/our-insights\/the-economic-potential-of-generative-ai-the-next-productivity-frontier\u0022\u003E2023 McKinsey report\u003C\/a\u003E. In contrast, applications of AI that improve infrastructure, food systems, safety and health remain underexplored.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet smaller and rural communities are rich in potential \u2014 home to anchor institutions like small businesses, civic groups and schools that are deeply invested in their communities. And that potential could be tapped to develop AI applications that fall outside of traditional corporate domains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pingeorgia.org\/\u0022\u003EPartnership for Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E, a coalition of people and organizations from academia, government and industry, helps bridge that gap. Since its launch almost five years ago, the Partnership for Innovation has supported \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pingeorgia.org\/all_projects\/\u0022\u003E220 projects\u003C\/a\u003E across Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and Alabama, partnering with more than 300 communities on challenges from energy poverty to river safety.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022ulmi5\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/ulmi5\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne Partnership for Innovation program provides seed funding and technical support for community research teams. This support enables local problem-solving that strengthens both research scholarship and community outcomes. The program has recently focused on the role of civic artificial intelligence \u2013 AI that supports communities and local governments. Our project on cotton field pesticide use is part of this program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECotton Pests and Pesticides\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur project in Jenkins County, Georgia, is testing that potential. Jenkins County, with a population of around 8,700, is among the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nass.usda.gov\/Statistics_by_State\/Georgia\/Publications\/County_Estimates\/2023\/GACotton2023.pdf\u0022\u003Etop 25 cotton-growing counties\u003C\/a\u003E in the state. In 2024, approximately \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gfb.org\/news\/ag-news\/post\/georgia-farmers-increase-acreage-for-peanuts-hay-and-oats\u0022\u003E1.1 million acres\u003C\/a\u003E of land in Georgia were planted with cotton, and based on the 2022 agricultural county profiles census, Jenkins County \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nass.usda.gov\/Publications\/AgCensus\/2022\/Online_Resources\/County_Profiles\/Georgia\/cp13165.pdf\u0022\u003Eranked 173rd\u003C\/a\u003E out of the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.fcr.2024.109483\u0022\u003E765 counties\u003C\/a\u003E producing cotton in the United States.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690986\/original\/file-20250915-56-uruwf9.JPEG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022a hand holding a white puffy object with leafy plants in the background\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690986\/original\/file-20250915-56-uruwf9.JPEG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690986\/original\/file-20250915-56-uruwf9.JPEG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690986\/original\/file-20250915-56-uruwf9.JPEG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690986\/original\/file-20250915-56-uruwf9.JPEG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690986\/original\/file-20250915-56-uruwf9.JPEG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690986\/original\/file-20250915-56-uruwf9.JPEG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690986\/original\/file-20250915-56-uruwf9.JPEG?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ECotton is a major part of Georgia\u2019s agriculture industry.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EDaeshjea Mcgee\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe state benefits from fertile soils, a subtropical-to-temperate climate, and abundant natural resources, all of which support a thriving agricultural industry. But these same conditions also foster pests and diseases.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFarmers in Jenkins County, like many farmers, face numerous insect infestations, including stink bugs, cotton bollworms, corn earworms, tarnished plant bugs and aphids. Farmers make heavy use of pesticides. Without precise data on the bugs, farmers end up using more pesticides than they likely need, risking residents\u2019 health and adding costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile there are some existing tools for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/safepestcontrol\/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles\u0022\u003Eintegrated pest management\u003C\/a\u003E, such as the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/apps.bugwood.org\/apps\/gacottoninsectadv\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Cotton Insect Advisor\u003C\/a\u003E app, they are not widely adopted and are limited to certain bugs. Other methods, such as traditional manual scouting and using sticky traps, are labor-intensive and time-consuming, particularly in the hot summer climate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur research team set out to combine AI-based early pest detection methods with existing integrated pest management practices and the insect advisor app. The goal was to significantly improve pest detection, decrease pesticide exposure levels and reduce insecticide use on cotton farms in Jenkins County. The work compares different insect monitoring methods and assesses pesticide levels in both the fields and nearby semi-urban areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe selected eight large cotton fields operated by local farmers in Millen, four active and four control sites, to collect environmental samples before farmers began planting cotton and applying pesticides.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690987\/original\/file-20250915-56-h06lha.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022a triangular open-sided structure\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690987\/original\/file-20250915-56-h06lha.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690987\/original\/file-20250915-56-h06lha.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690987\/original\/file-20250915-56-h06lha.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690987\/original\/file-20250915-56-h06lha.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=450\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690987\/original\/file-20250915-56-h06lha.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690987\/original\/file-20250915-56-h06lha.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/690987\/original\/file-20250915-56-h06lha.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=566\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EPest insects are identified by AI as they fly through a light sensor inside this trap.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003EDaeshjea Mcgee\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team was aided by a new AI-based insect monitoring system called the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.farmsense.io\/our-product-farmsense-flightsensor\/\u0022\u003EFlightSensor\u003C\/a\u003E by FarmSense. The system uses a machine learning algorithm that was trained to recognize the unique wingbeats of each pest insect species. The specialized trap is equipped with infrared optical sensors that project an invisible infrared light beam \u2013 called a light curtain \u2013 across the entrance of a triangular tunnel. A sensor monitors the light curtain and uses the machine learning algorithm to identify each pest species as insects fly into the trap.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFlightSensor provides information on the prevalence of targeted insects, giving farmers an alternative to traditional manual insect scouting. The information enables the farmers to adjust their pesticide-spraying frequency to match the need.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat We\u2019ve Learned\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere are three things we have learned so far:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Predictive pest control potential\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 AI tools can help farmers pinpoint exactly where pest outbreaks are likely \u2013 before they happen. That means they can treat only the areas that need it, saving time, labor and pesticide costs. It\u2019s a shift from blanket spraying to precision farming \u2013 and it\u2019s a skill farmers can use season after season.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Stronger decision-making for farmers\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 The preliminary results indicate that the proposed sensors can effectively monitor insect populations specific to cotton farms. Even after the sensors are gone, farmers who used them get better at spotting pests. That\u2019s because the AI dashboards and mobile apps help them see how pest populations grow over time and respond to different field conditions. Researchers also have the ability to access this data remotely through satellite-based monitoring platforms on their computers, further enhancing the collaboration and learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Building local agtech talent\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 Training students and farmers on AI pest detection is doing more than protecting cotton crops. It\u2019s building digital literacy, opening doors to agtech careers and preparing communities for future innovation. The same tools could help local governments manage mosquitoes and ticks and open up more agtech innovations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBlueprint for Rural Innovation\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy using AI to detect pests early and reduce pesticide use, the project aims to lower harmful residues in local soil and air while supporting more sustainable farming. This pilot project could be a blueprint for how rural communities use AI generally to boost agriculture, reduce public health risks and build local expertise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust as important, this work encourages more civic AI applications \u2013 grounded in real community needs \u2013 that others can adopt and adapt elsewhere. AI and innovation do not need to be urban or corporate to have a significant effect, nor do you need advanced technology degrees to be innovative. With the right partnerships, small towns, too, can harness innovations for economic and community growth.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/261526\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-happens-when-ai-comes-to-the-cotton-fields-261526\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech team is piloting AI-powered sensors to help cotton farmers optimize pesticide use.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech team is piloting AI-powered sensors to help cotton farmers optimize pesticide use."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-10-02 14:24:54","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:11:47","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678243":{"id":"678243","type":"image","title":"A researcher works in a cotton field in Jenkins County, Georgia, as part of a project on AI and pesticide use. Dorothy Seybold","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA researcher works in a cotton field in Jenkins County, Georgia, as part of a project on AI and pesticide use. Dorothy Seybold\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1759415309","gmt_created":"2025-10-02 14:28:29","changed":"1759415309","gmt_changed":"2025-10-02 14:28:29","alt":"A researcher works in a cotton field in Jenkins County, Georgia, as part of a project on AI and pesticide use. Dorothy Seybold","file":{"fid":"262245","name":"file-20250915-56-jv2dth1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/02\/file-20250915-56-jv2dth1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/02\/file-20250915-56-jv2dth1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1517991,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/02\/file-20250915-56-jv2dth1.jpg?itok=V8ZMFMfm"}}},"media_ids":["678243"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-happens-when-ai-comes-to-the-cotton-fields-261526","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"69599","name":"IPaT"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660368","name":"Tech AI (Artificial Intelligence)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/debra-lam-2212654\u0022\u003EDebra Lam\u003C\/a\u003E, founding director of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, Enterprise Innovation Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/atin-adhikari-2437419\u0022\u003EAtin Adhikari\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Georgia Southern University\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/james-e-thomas-2437420\u0022\u003EJames E. Thomas\u003C\/a\u003E, senior lecturer in Health Policy and Community Health, Georgia Southern University\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"684611":{"#nid":"684611","#data":{"type":"news","title":"AI\u2019s Ballooning Energy Consumption Puts Spotlight On Data Center\u00a0Efficiency","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence is growing fast, and so are the number of computers that power it. Behind the scenes, this rapid growth is putting a huge strain on the data centers that run AI models. These facilities are using \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ai-supercharges-data-center-energy-use-straining-the-grid-and-slowing-sustainability-efforts-232697\u0022\u003Emore energy than ever\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI models are getting larger and more complex. Today\u2019s most advanced systems have billions of parameters, the numerical values derived from training data, and run across thousands of computer chips. To keep up, companies have responded by adding more hardware, more chips, more memory and more powerful networks. This brute force approach has helped AI make big leaps, but it\u2019s also created a new challenge: Data centers are becoming energy-hungry giants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome tech companies are responding by looking to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blog.ucs.org\/mike-jacobs\/power-hungry-why-data-centers-are-developing-their-own-energy-sources-to-fuel-ai\/\u0022\u003Epower data centers on their own\u003C\/a\u003E with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/08\/21\/gas-power-plants-approved-for-metas-10b-data-center-and-not-everyone-is-happy\/\u0022\u003Efossil fuel\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/pro\/google-is-building-a-small-nuclear-reactor-in-tennessee-to-power-its-data-centers\u0022\u003Enuclear power plants\u003C\/a\u003E. AI energy demand has also spurred efforts to make \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/tech\/ai\/the-new-chips-designed-to-solve-ais-energy-problem-1ba9cac1\u0022\u003Emore efficient computer chips\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019m a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=HmBa_6gAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Ecomputer engineer\u003C\/a\u003E and a professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/divya-mahajan\u0022\u003Eat Georgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E who specializes in high-performance computing. I see another path to curbing AI\u2019s energy appetite: Make data centers more resource aware and efficient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEnergy and Heat\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModern AI data centers can use as much electricity as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2024\/11\/23\/data-centers-powering-ai-could-use-more-electricity-than-entire-cities.html\u0022\u003Esmall city\u003C\/a\u003E. And it\u2019s not just the computing that eats up power. Memory and cooling systems are major contributors, too. As AI models grow, they need more storage and faster access to data, which generates more heat. Also, as the chips become more powerful, removing heat becomes a central challenge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/688784\/original\/file-20250902-56-s2j1vb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/688784\/original\/file-20250902-56-s2j1vb.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022Small blue and green lights arranged in columns glow behind black mesh screens\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData centers house thousands of interconnected computers. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/data-servers-during-an-open-day-at-the-digital-realty-data-news-photo\/1475272476\u0022\u003EAlberto Ortega\/Europa Press via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECooling isn\u2019t just a technical detail; it\u2019s a major part of the energy bill. Traditional cooling is done with specialized air conditioning systems that remove heat from server racks. New methods like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blogs.nvidia.com\/blog\/blackwell-platform-water-efficiency-liquid-cooling-data-centers-ai-factories\/\u0022\u003Eliquid cooling\u003C\/a\u003E are helping, but they also require careful planning and water management. Without smarter solutions, the energy requirements and costs of AI could become unsustainable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven with all this advanced equipment, many data centers aren\u2019t running efficiently. That\u2019s because \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/proceedings.mlr.press\/v235\/wang24bp.html\u0022\u003Edifferent parts of the system don\u2019t always talk\u003C\/a\u003E to each other. For example, scheduling software might not know that a chip is overheating or that a network connection is clogged. As a result, some servers sit idle while others struggle to keep up. This lack of coordination can lead to wasted energy and underused resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Smarter Way Forward\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAddressing this challenge requires rethinking how to design and manage the systems that support AI. That means moving away from brute-force scaling and toward smarter, more specialized infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere are three key ideas:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAddress variability in hardware.\u003C\/strong\u003E Not all chips are the same. Even within the same generation, chips vary in how fast they operate and how much heat they can tolerate, leading to heterogeneity in both performance and energy efficiency. Computer systems in data centers should recognize differences among chips in performance, heat tolerance and energy use, and adjust accordingly.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdapt to changing conditions.\u003C\/strong\u003E AI workloads vary over time. For instance, thermal hotspots on chips can trigger the chips to slow down, fluctuating grid supply can cap the peak power that centers can draw, and bursts of data between chips can create congestion in the network that connects them. Systems should be designed to respond in real time to things like temperature, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.canarymedia.com\/articles\/utilities\/google-ai-data-center-flexibility-help-grid\u0022\u003Epower availability\u003C\/a\u003E and data traffic.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreak down silos.\u003C\/strong\u003E Engineers who design chips, software and data centers should work together. When these teams collaborate, they can find new ways to save energy and improve performance. To that end, my colleagues, students and I at Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/academics\/ai-for-engineering\/ai-makerspace\u0022\u003EAI Makerspace\u003C\/a\u003E, a high-performance AI data center, are exploring these challenges hands-on. We\u2019re working across disciplines, from hardware to software to energy systems, to build and test AI systems that are efficient, scalable and sustainable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EScaling With Intelligence\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI has the potential to transform science, medicine, education and more, but risks hitting limits on performance, energy and cost. The future of AI depends not only on better models, but also on better infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo keep AI growing in a way that benefits society, I believe it\u2019s important to shift from scaling by force to scaling with intelligence.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/254192\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ais-ballooning-energy-consumption-puts-spotlight-on-data-center-efficiency-254192\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence is growing fast, and so are the number of computers that power it. Behind the scenes, this rapid growth is putting a huge strain on the data centers that run AI models.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Artificial intelligence is growing fast, and so are the number of computers that power it. Behind the scenes, this rapid growth is putting a huge strain on the data centers that run AI models. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-09-08 13:34:41","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:11:42","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677940":{"id":"677940","type":"image","title":"These \u2018chillers\u2019 on the roof of a data center in Germany, seen from above, work to cool the equipment inside the building. ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThese \u2018chillers\u2019 on the roof of a data center in Germany, seen from above, work to cool the equipment inside the building. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/GermanyDataCenter\/ff354b47c6a34682b8a76f9ca89613ed\/photo\u0022\u003EAP Photo\/Michael Probst\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1757338556","gmt_created":"2025-09-08 13:35:56","changed":"1757338556","gmt_changed":"2025-09-08 13:35:56","alt":"These \u2018chillers\u2019 on the roof of a data center in Germany, seen from above, work to cool the equipment inside the building. ","file":{"fid":"261898","name":"file-20250902-56-fgh9og.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/08\/file-20250902-56-fgh9og.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/08\/file-20250902-56-fgh9og.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":547761,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/08\/file-20250902-56-fgh9og.jpg?itok=LJ6j5HUe"}}},"media_ids":["677940"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ais-ballooning-energy-consumption-puts-spotlight-on-data-center-efficiency-254192","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/divya-mahajan-2366440\u0022 rel=\u0022author\u0022\u003EDivya Mahajan\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor of Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686049":{"#nid":"686049","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Flexible Lens Controlled By Light-Activated Artificial Muscles Promises to Let Soft Machines\u00a0See","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInspired by the human eye, our biomedical engineering \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/thejialab\/home?authuser=2\u0022\u003Elab at Georgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E has designed an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/scirobotics.adw8905\u0022\u003Eadaptive lens\u003C\/a\u003E made of soft, light-responsive, tissuelike materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdjustable camera systems usually require a set of bulky, moving, solid lenses and a pupil in front of a camera chip to adjust focus and intensity. In contrast, human eyes perform these same functions using soft, flexible tissues in a highly compact form.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur lens, called the photo-responsive hydrogel soft lens, or PHySL, replaces rigid components with soft polymers acting as artificial muscles. The polymers are composed of a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.snexplores.org\/article\/explainer-what-is-a-hydrogel\u0022\u003Ehydrogel\u003C\/a\u003E \u2212 a water-based polymer material. This hydrogel muscle changes the shape of a soft lens to alter the lens\u2019s focal length, a mechanism analogous to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK470669\/figure\/myopia.F7\/\u0022\u003Eciliary muscles\u003C\/a\u003E in the human eye.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe hydrogel material contracts in response to light, allowing us to control the lens without touching it by projecting light onto its surface. This property also allows us to finely control the shape of the lens by selectively illuminating different parts of the hydrogel. By eliminating rigid optics and structures, our system is flexible and compliant, making it more durable and safer in contact with the body.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy it Matters\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtificial vision using cameras is commonplace in a variety of technological systems, including robots and medical tools. The optics needed to form a visual system are still typically restricted to rigid materials using electric power. This limitation presents a challenge for emerging fields, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/B978-0-12-801238-3.99907-0\u0022\u003Esoft robotics\u003C\/a\u003E and biomedical tools that integrate soft materials into flexible, low-power and autonomous systems. Our soft lens is particularly suitable for this task.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESoft robots are machines made with compliant materials and structures, taking inspiration from animals. This additional flexibility makes them more durable and adaptive. Researchers are using the technology to develop \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/rcs.2010\u0022\u003Esurgical endoscopes\u003C\/a\u003E, grippers for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.sna.2024.115380\u0022\u003Ehandling delicate objects\u003C\/a\u003E and robots for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1115\/1.4063669\u0022\u003Enavigating environments\u003C\/a\u003E that are difficult for rigid robots.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe same principles apply to biomedical tools. Tissuelike materials can soften the interface between body and machine, making biomedical tools safer by making them move with the body. These include \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1063\/5.0217328\u0022\u003Eskinlike wearable sensors\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cis.2024.103358\u0022\u003Ehydrogel-coated implants\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/697600\/original\/file-20251021-56-2geixz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022three photos showing a rubbery disk held between two hands\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/697600\/original\/file-20251021-56-2geixz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/697600\/original\/file-20251021-56-2geixz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=191\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/697600\/original\/file-20251021-56-2geixz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=191\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/697600\/original\/file-20251021-56-2geixz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=191\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/697600\/original\/file-20251021-56-2geixz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=240\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/697600\/original\/file-20251021-56-2geixz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=240\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/697600\/original\/file-20251021-56-2geixz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=240\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThis variable-focus soft lens, shown viewing a Rubik\u2019s Cube, can flex and twist without being damaged.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution source\u0022\u003ECorey Zheng\/Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Other Research is Being Done in This Field\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis work merges concepts from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/frobt.2021.678046\u0022\u003Etunable optics\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.macromol.3c00967\u0022\u003Esoft \u201csmart\u201d materials\u003C\/a\u003E. While these materials are often used to create soft actuators \u2013 parts of machines that move \u2013 such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/am507339r\u0022\u003Egrippers\u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/scirobotics.aax7112\u0022\u003Epropulsors\u003C\/a\u003E, their application in optical systems has faced challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany existing soft lens designs depend on liquid-filled pouches or actuators \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/frobt.2021.678046\u0022\u003Erequiring electronics\u003C\/a\u003E. These factors can increase complexity or limit their use in delicate or untethered systems. Our light-activated design offers a simpler, electronics-free alternative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat\u2019s Next\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe aim to improve the performance of the system using advances in hydrogel materials. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/gels11010030\u0022\u003ENew research\u003C\/a\u003E has yielded several types of stimuli-responsive hydrogels with faster and more powerful contraction abilities. We aim to incorporate the latest material developments to improve the physical capabilities of the photo-responsive hydrogel soft lens.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe also aim to show its practical use in new types of camera systems. In our current work, we developed a proof-of-concept, electronics-free camera using our soft lens and a custom light-activated, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/microfluidics-the-tiny-beautiful-tech-hidden-all-around-you-160436\u0022\u003Emicrofluidic chip\u003C\/a\u003E. We plan to incorporate this system into a soft robot to give it electronics-free vision. This system would be a significant demonstration for the potential of our design to enable new types of soft visual sensing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/us\/topics\/research-brief-83231\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch Brief\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E is a short take on interesting academic work.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/268064\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/a-flexible-lens-controlled-by-light-activated-artificial-muscles-promises-to-let-soft-machines-see-268064\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EInspired by the human eye, our biomedical engineering lab at Georgia Tech has designed an adaptive lens made of soft, light-responsive, tissuelike materials.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Inspired by the human eye, our biomedical engineering lab at Georgia Tech has designed an adaptive lens made of soft, light-responsive, tissuelike materials."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-10-22 16:30:23","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:10:10","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678481":{"id":"678481","type":"image","title":"This rubbery disc is an artificial eye that could give soft robots vision. Corey Zheng\/Georgia Institute of Technology","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThis rubbery disc is an artificial eye that could give soft robots vision. Corey Zheng\/Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1761669214","gmt_created":"2025-10-28 16:33:34","changed":"1761669214","gmt_changed":"2025-10-28 16:33:34","alt":"This rubbery disc is an artificial eye that could give soft robots vision. Corey Zheng\/Georgia Institute of Technology","file":{"fid":"262519","name":"file-20251021-66-cq8adm.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/28\/file-20251021-66-cq8adm.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/28\/file-20251021-66-cq8adm.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":226505,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/28\/file-20251021-66-cq8adm.jpg?itok=6C34XOVb"}}},"media_ids":["678481"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/a-flexible-lens-controlled-by-light-activated-artificial-muscles-promises-to-let-soft-machines-see-268064","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/corey-zheng-2509386\u0022\u003ECorey Zheng\u003C\/a\u003E, PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/shu-jia-2509377\u0022\u003EShu Jia\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686436":{"#nid":"686436","#data":{"type":"news","title":"NASA Goes On an ESCAPADE \u2013 Twin Small, Low-Cost Orbiters Will Examine Mars\u2019\u00a0Atmosphere","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnvision a time when hundreds of spacecraft are exploring the solar system and beyond. That\u2019s the future that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/escapade\/\u0022\u003ENASA\u2019s ESCAPADE\u003C\/a\u003E, or Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, mission will help unleash: one where small, low-cost spacecraft enable researchers to learn rapidly, iterate, and advance technology and science.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ESCAPADE \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-glenn-escapade-mars-launch-webcast\u0022\u003Emission launched\u003C\/a\u003E on Nov. 13, 2025 on a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/bezos-blue-origin-has-successfully-launched-its-new-glenn-rocket-to-orbit-a-feat-15-years-in-the-making-247424\u0022\u003EBlue Origin New Glenn rocket\u003C\/a\u003E, sending two small orbiters to Mars to study its atmosphere. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=N38VZzsAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EAs aerospace engineers\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=EFUhzfYAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Ewe\u2019re excited\u003C\/a\u003E about this mission because not only will it do great science while advancing the deep space capabilities of small spacecraft, but it also will travel to the red planet on an innovative new trajectory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ESCAPADE mission is actually \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/escapade.ssl.berkeley.edu\/about\/\u0022\u003Etwo spacecraft instead of one\u003C\/a\u003E. Two identical spacecraft will take simultaneous measurements, resulting in better science. These spacecraft are smaller than those used in the past, each \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.planetary.org\/space-missions\/escapade\u0022\u003Eabout the size of a copy machine\u003C\/a\u003E, partly enabled by an ongoing miniaturization trend in the space industry. Doing more with less is very important for space exploration, because it typically takes most of the mass of a spacecraft simply to transport it where you want it to go.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-right zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701200\/original\/file-20251108-64-8hs1g2.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A patch with a drawing of two spacecraft, one behind the other, on a red background and the ESCAPADE mission title.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701200\/original\/file-20251108-64-8hs1g2.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=237\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701200\/original\/file-20251108-64-8hs1g2.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=715\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701200\/original\/file-20251108-64-8hs1g2.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=715\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701200\/original\/file-20251108-64-8hs1g2.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=715\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701200\/original\/file-20251108-64-8hs1g2.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=899\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701200\/original\/file-20251108-64-8hs1g2.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=899\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701200\/original\/file-20251108-64-8hs1g2.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=899\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThe ESCAPADE mission logo shows the twin orbiters.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ESCAPADE#\/media\/File:EscaPADE_logo.png\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ETRAX International\/Kristen Perrin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving two spacecraft also acts as an insurance policy in case one of them doesn\u2019t work as planned. Even if one completely fails, researchers can still do science with a single working spacecraft. This redundancy enables each spacecraft to be built more affordably than in the past, because the copies allow for more acceptance of risk.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EStudying Mars\u2019 History\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELong before the ESCAPADE twin spacecraft Blue and Gold were ready to go to space \u2013 billions of years ago, to be more precise \u2013 Mars \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ancient-mars-may-have-had-a-carbon-cycle-a-new-study-suggests-the-red-planet-may-have-once-been-warmer-wetter-and-more-favorable-for-life-255207\u0022\u003Ehad a much thicker atmosphere\u003C\/a\u003E than it does now. This atmosphere would have \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/our-mostly-dry-planetary-neighbors-once-had-lots-of-water-what-does-that-imply-for-us-43817\u0022\u003Eenabled liquids to flow\u003C\/a\u003E on its surface, creating the channels and gullies that scientists can still observe today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut where did the bulk of this atmosphere go? Its loss turned Mars into the cold and dry world it is today, with a surface air pressure \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/marsed.asu.edu\/mep\/atmosphere\u0022\u003Eless than 1% of Earth\u2019s\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMars also once \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/articles\/mars-has-the-remnants-of-a-lopsided-magnetic-field\u0022\u003Ehad a magnetic field\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/earths-magnetic-field-protects-life-on-earth-from-radiation-but-it-can-move-and-the-magnetic-poles-can-even-flip-216231\u0022\u003Elike Earth\u2019s\u003C\/a\u003E, that helped to shield its atmosphere. That atmosphere and magnetic field would have been critical to any life that might have existed on early Mars.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701201\/original\/file-20251108-56-6kgb3p.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A view of Mars\u0026apos; crater-flecked surface from above.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701201\/original\/file-20251108-56-6kgb3p.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701201\/original\/file-20251108-56-6kgb3p.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=464\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701201\/original\/file-20251108-56-6kgb3p.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=464\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701201\/original\/file-20251108-56-6kgb3p.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=464\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701201\/original\/file-20251108-56-6kgb3p.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=583\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701201\/original\/file-20251108-56-6kgb3p.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=583\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/701201\/original\/file-20251108-56-6kgb3p.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=583\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EToday, Mars\u2019 atmosphere is very thin. Billions of years ago, it was much thicker.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/192271236@N03\/52252929420\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003E\u00a9UAESA\/MBRSC\/HopeMarsMission\/EXI\/AndreaLuck\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003E, \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\u0022license\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nd\/4.0\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ECC BY-ND\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EESCAPADE will measure remnants of this magnetic field that have been preserved by ancient rock and study the flow and energy of Mars\u2019 atmosphere and how it interacts with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-are-solar-storms-and-the-solar-wind-3-astrophysicists-explain-how-particles-coming-from-the-sun-interact-with-earth-264013\u0022\u003Ethe solar wind\u003C\/a\u003E, the stream of particles that the sun emits along with light. These measurements will help to reveal where the atmosphere went and how quickly Mars is still losing it today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWeathering Space on a Budget\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpace is not a friendly place. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-is-space-made-of-an-astrophysics-expert-explains-all-the-components-from-radiation-to-dark-matter-found-in-the-vacuum-of-space-235402\u0022\u003EMost of it is a vacuum\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 that is, mostly empty, without the gas molecules that create pressure and allow you to breathe or transfer heat. These molecules keep things from getting too hot or too cold. In space, with no pressure, a spacecraft can easily get too hot or too cold, depending on whether it is in sunlight or in shadow.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, the Sun and other, farther astronomical objects \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/radtown\/cosmic-radiation\u0022\u003Eemit radiation\u003C\/a\u003E that living things do not experience on Earth. Earth\u2019s magnetic field protects you from the worst of this radiation. So when humans or our robotic representatives leave the Earth, our spacecraft must survive in this extreme environment not present on Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EESCAPADE will overcome these challenges with a shoestring \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/nasa-mars-escapade-mission-launch-date?\u0022\u003Ebudget totaling US$80 million\u003C\/a\u003E. That is a lot of money, but for a mission to another planet it is inexpensive. It has kept costs low by leveraging commercial technologies for deep space exploration, which is now possible because of prior investments in fundamental research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/grail\/\u0022\u003EGRAIL mission\u003C\/a\u003E, launched in 2011, previously used two spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, to map the Moon\u2019s gravity fields. ESCAPADE takes this concept to another world, Mars, and costs \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/new-nasa-mission-to-reveal-moons-internal-structure-and-evolution\/\u0022\u003Ea fraction as much as GRAIL\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELed by Rob Lillis of UC Berkeley\u2019s Space Sciences Laboratory, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blogs\/escapade\/2025\/09\/22\/nasas-escapade-spacecraft-return-to-florida-to-prepare-for-launch\/\u0022\u003Ethis collaboration\u003C\/a\u003E between spacecraft builders Rocket Lab, trajectory specialists Advanced Space LLC and launch provider Blue Origin \u2013 all commercial partners funded by NASA \u2013 aims to show that deep space exploration is now faster, more agile and more affordable than ever before.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jJpt0MPmr7Y?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003ENASA\u2019s ESCAPADE represents a partnership between a university, commercial companies and the government.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow Will ESCAPADE Get to Mars?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EESCAPADE will also use a new trajectory to get to Mars. Imagine being an archer in the Olympics. To hit a bull\u2019s-eye, you have to shoot an arrow through a 15-inch \u2013 40-centimeter \u2013 circle from a distance of 300 feet, or 90 meters. Now imagine the bull\u2019s-eye represents Mars. To hit it from Earth, you would have to shoot an arrow through the same 15-inch bull\u2019s-eye at a distance of over 13 miles, or 22 kilometers. You would also have to shoot the arrow in a curved path so that it goes around the Sun.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot only that, but \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.space.com\/16875-how-far-away-is-mars.html\u0022\u003EMars won\u2019t be at the bull\u2019s-eye\u003C\/a\u003E at the time you shoot the arrow. You must shoot for the spot that Mars will be in 10 months from now. This is the problem that the ESCAPADE mission designers faced. What is amazing is that the physical laws and forces of nature are so predictable that this was not even the hardest problem to solve for the ESCAPADE mission.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt takes energy to get from one place to another. To go from Earth to Mars, a spacecraft has to carry the energy it needs, in the form of rocket fuel, much like gasoline in a car. As a result, a high percentage of the total launch mass has to be fuel for the trip.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen going to Mars orbit from Earth orbit, as much as 80% to 85% of the spacecraft mass has to be propellant, which means not much mass is dedicated to the part of the spacecraft that does all the experiments. This issue makes it important to pack as much capability into the rest of the spacecraft as possible. For ESCAPADE, the propellant is only about \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/advspace.publicshare\/Papers-Presentations\/2022\/Parker_ESCAPADE-A-Low-Cost-Formation-at-Mars.pdf\u0022\u003E65% of the spacecraft\u2019s mass\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EESCAPADE\u2019s route is particularly fuel-efficient. First, Blue and Gold will go to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/resource\/what-is-a-lagrange-point\/\u0022\u003EL2 Lagrange point\u003C\/a\u003E, one of five places where gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth cancel out. Then, after about a year, during which they will collect data monitoring the Sun, they will fly by the Earth, using its gravitational field \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/learn\/basics-of-space-flight\/primer\/\u0022\u003Eto get a boost\u003C\/a\u003E. This way, they will arrive at Mars in about 10 more months.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis new approach has another advantage beyond needing to carry less fuel: Trips from Earth to Mars are typically favorable to save fuel about every 26 months due to the two planets\u2019 relative positions. However, this new trajectory makes the departure time more flexible. Future cargo and human missions could use a similar trajectory to have more frequent and less time-constrained trips to Mars.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EESCAPADE is a testament to a new era in spaceflight. For a new generation of scientists and engineers, ESCAPADE is not just a mission \u2013 it is a blueprint for a new collaborative era of exploration and discovery.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article was updated on Nov. 13, 2025 to reflect the ESCAPADE launch\u2019s date and success.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/269321\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nasa-goes-on-an-escapade-twin-small-low-cost-orbiters-will-examine-mars-atmosphere-269321\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEnvision a time when hundreds of spacecraft are exploring the solar system and beyond. That\u2019s the future that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/escapade\/\u0022\u003ENASA\u2019s ESCAPADE\u003C\/a\u003E, or Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, mission will help unleash: one where small, low-cost spacecraft enable researchers to learn rapidly, iterate, and advance technology and science.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Envision a time when hundreds of spacecraft are exploring the solar system and beyond. That\u2019s the future that NASA\u2019s ESCAPADE, or Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, mission will help unleash."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-11-13 16:09:40","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:09:10","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678629":{"id":"678629","type":"image","title":"This close-up illustration shows what one of the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft will look like conducting its science operations. James Rattray\/Rocket Lab USA\/Goddard Space Flight Center","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThis close-up illustration shows what one of the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft will look like conducting its science operations. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/svs.gsfc.nasa.gov\/vis\/a010000\/a014600\/a014635\/RL_ESCAPADE_Beauty_Shot002.00001_print.jpg\u0022\u003EJames Rattray\/Rocket Lab USA\/Goddard Space Flight Center\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1763136688","gmt_created":"2025-11-14 16:11:28","changed":"1763136688","gmt_changed":"2025-11-14 16:11:28","alt":"This close-up illustration shows what one of the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft will look like conducting its science operations. James Rattray\/Rocket Lab USA\/Goddard Space Flight Center","file":{"fid":"262687","name":"file-20251107-56-snlt6f.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/14\/file-20251107-56-snlt6f.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/14\/file-20251107-56-snlt6f.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":89601,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/14\/file-20251107-56-snlt6f.jpg?itok=RBt9xq0n"}}},"media_ids":["678629"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nasa-goes-on-an-escapade-twin-small-low-cost-orbiters-will-examine-mars-atmosphere-269321","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660370","name":"Space"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/christopher-carr-2251684\u0022\u003EChristopher Carr\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/glenn-lightsey-1519875\u0022\u003EGlenn Lightsey\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of Space Systems Technology, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686647":{"#nid":"686647","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Women\u2019s Soccer Sets Sights on Atlanta","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn 2028, Atlanta will be home to a yet-to-be-named National Women\u2019s Soccer League team, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nwslsoccer.com\/news\/nwsl-awards-expansion-franchise-to-atlanta\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eannounced Nov. 12.\u003C\/a\u003E The announcement comes at a time when soccer is building momentum in Atlanta and across the U.S. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf history tells us anything, it\u2019s the right place at the right time.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis team steps into a void,\u201d said Declan Abernethy, lecturer in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hsoc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of History and Sociology\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to see women\u2019s soccer be valued as a commercial spectacle and exciting for fans in Atlanta.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAtlanta holds a place in women\u2019s soccer history as host of the 1996 Summer Olympics, where the U.S. Women\u2019s National Team won its first gold medal \u2014 the introduction to women\u2019s soccer for many Americans.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince then, the soccer ecosystem has expanded exponentially, in Atlanta and beyond. Atlanta United began playing in 2017, winning the MLS Cup in its second year as a franchise. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Business of Soccer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArthur Blank, who owns Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons and purchased the rights for the new women\u2019s team, paid $165 million for this expansion team. Just two years ago, that cost was nearly a third. The total investment will ultimately be more than $330 million. But as Abernethy points out, the purchase price and timing show that this is a serious endeavor.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt shows Blank is a smart business owner \u2014 he\u2019s willing to invest in doing things the right way,\u201d said Abernethy, who has studied and published about both Atlanta United and the U.S. Women\u2019s National Team. \u201cIn five years, this team could be a leader in how it is run and how it spends money. We have such a strong legacy of professional women\u2019s soccer in Atlanta and so much youth talent, it could get very competitive.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Atlanta Is Ready\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not the first time a women\u2019s soccer team has made its home in Atlanta. The Atlanta Beat played at Georgia Tech\u2019s Bobby Dodd Stadium in the early 2000s, and the Atlanta Silverbacks Women followed.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince those attempts, Atlanta has welcomed a professional men\u2019s team in Atlanta United, along with its ATL UTD 2 reserve team and extensive youth development programs. A $50 million contribution from Arthur Blank is helping build a new home for U.S. Soccer south of the city in Fayetteville with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ussoccer.com\/ntchq\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EArthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s hitting at this opportune time with the U.S. training facility, sparks of excitement for the men\u2019s national team, a strong run by the women\u2019s national team with players from Atlanta, and six World Cup games being hosted in Atlanta next year. It could have a nice impact on the soccer ecosystem here,\u201d said Kirk Bowman, Regents\u2019 Entrepreneur and professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESam Nunn School of International Affairs\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBowman also points to the culture that has grown from Atlanta United and the infrastructure that supports it. Team flags adorn houses, the BeltLine and MARTA connect in-town fans to a downtown stadium that is surrounded by new development at the Gulch \u2014 not to mention a growing pool of legacy soccer players around the metro area, and the surrounding perennial success of ACC women\u2019s soccer teams. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou\u2019ve now had cohort after cohort of female soccer players of all ages, and families with mothers and daughters who have played soccer and are eager to go to games,\u201d he said. \u201cIf they brand it correctly, there\u2019s a lot of enthusiasm and a built-in audience that loves the game.\u201d The WNBA also had record-high viewership last year, with its most-watched game garnering nearly 3 million viewers, demonstrating the increasing popularity of women\u0027s professional sports.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team also enters an open market for fans, without another professional women\u2019s team nearby. Abernethy notes that it takes time to build economic success and fandom, and with more than 50 years of women\u2019s soccer now played, it may have finally hit its stride.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn 2028, Atlanta will be home to a yet-to-be-named National Women\u2019s Soccer League team, announced Nov. 12. The announcement comes at a time when soccer is building momentum in Atlanta and across the U.S. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In 2028, Atlanta will be home to a yet-to-be-named National Women\u2019s Soccer League team, announced Nov. 12. The announcement comes at a time when soccer is building momentum in Atlanta and across the U.S.  "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-12-01 14:22:47","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:08:55","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-01T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-01T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678728":{"id":"678728","type":"image","title":"Arthur Blank and NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman announce an Atlanta soccer franchise ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EArthur Blank and NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman announce an Atlanta soccer franchise during the \u201cEmpower Her. Inspire All.\u201d event hosted by AMB Sports and Entertainment at The Interlock on Nov. 11, 2025. (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/sports\/2025\/11\/atlantas-new-nwsl-team-has-an-mls-playbook-to-follow\/\u0022\u003EAbbey Cutrer\/AJC\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1764600073","gmt_created":"2025-12-01 14:41:13","changed":"1764600141","gmt_changed":"2025-12-01 14:42:21","alt":"Arthur Blank and NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman announce an Atlanta soccer franchise ","file":{"fid":"262800","name":"SVXRBCMFHJHPFCK2K2JQYK3YO4.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/01\/SVXRBCMFHJHPFCK2K2JQYK3YO4.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/01\/SVXRBCMFHJHPFCK2K2JQYK3YO4.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5687311,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/01\/SVXRBCMFHJHPFCK2K2JQYK3YO4.jpg?itok=1-JeCqYq"}}},"media_ids":["678728"],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1285","name":"Sam Nunn School of International Affairs"},{"id":"1288","name":"School of History and Sociology"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kristen.bailey@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EKristen Bailey\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686886":{"#nid":"686886","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Industry Standards and Tech Advances Make Pre-Owned Electronics a Viable Holiday Gift\u00a0Option","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EElectronic gifts are very popular, and in recent years, retailers have been offering significant discounts on smartphones, e-readers and other electronics labeled as \u201cpre-owned.\u201d Research I have co-led finds that these pre-owned options are becoming increasingly viable, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1287\/msom.2023.0444\u0022\u003Ethanks in part to laws and policies that encourage recycling and reuse\u003C\/a\u003E of devices that might previously have been thrown away.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmazon, Walmart and Best Buy have dedicated pages on their websites for pre-owned devices. Manufacturers like Apple and Dell, as well as mobile service providers like AT\u0026amp;T and Verizon, offer their own options for customers to buy used items. Their sales rely on the availability of a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2023\/03\/the-enormous-opportunity-of-e-waste-recycling\/\u0022\u003Elarge volume of used products\u003C\/a\u003E, which are supplied by the emergence of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/second-hand-electronic-products-market-090000899.html\u0022\u003Ean entire line of businesses\u003C\/a\u003E that process used, discarded or returned electronics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose developments are some of the results of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1287\/msom.2023.0444\u0022\u003Ewidespread innovations across the electronics industry\u003C\/a\u003E that supply chain researcher \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.psu.edu\/suresh\/\u0022\u003ESuresh Muthulingam\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/suvrat\/\u0022\u003EI\u003C\/a\u003E have linked to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/calrecycle.ca.gov\/electronics\/statutes\/\u0022\u003ECalifornia\u2019s Electronic Waste Recycling Act\u003C\/a\u003E, passed in 2003.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERecycling Innovation\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOriginally intended to reduce the amount of electronic waste flowing into the state\u2019s landfills, California\u2019s law did far more, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1287\/msom.2023.0444\u0022\u003Eunleashing a wave of innovation\u003C\/a\u003E, our analysis found.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe analyzed the patent-filing activity of hundreds of electronics firms over a 17-year time span from 1996 to 2012. We found that the passage of California\u2019s law not only prompted electronics manufacturers to engage in sustainability-focused innovation, but it also sparked a surge in general innovation around products, processes and techniques.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFaced with new regulations, electronics manufacturers and suppliers didn\u2019t just make small adjustments, such as tweaking their packaging to ensure compliance. They fundamentally rethought their design and manufacturing processes, to create products that use recycled materials and that are easily recyclable themselves.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, Samsung\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.samsung.com\/global\/samsung-galaxy-s25-receives-2025-rema-design-for-recycling-award\u0022\u003EGalaxy S25\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003Esmartphone\u003C\/strong\u003E is a new product that, when released in May 2025, was made of eight different recycled materials, including aluminum, neodymium, steel, plastics and fiber.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECombined with advanced recycling technologies and processes, these materials can be recovered and reused several times in new devices and products. For example, Apple invented the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/CrTd3VKLSrz\/?hl=en\u0022\u003EDaisy Robot\u003C\/a\u003E, which disassembles old iPhones in a matter of seconds and recovers a variety of precious metals, including copper and gold. These materials, which would otherwise have to be mined from rock, are reused in Apple\u2019s manufacturing process for new iPhones and iPads.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow Do Consumers Benefit?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the past two decades, 25 U.S. states and Washington D.C. have passed laws requiring \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/electronics-batteries-management\/regulations-electronics-stewardship\u0022\u003Eelectronics recycling and refurbishing\u003C\/a\u003E, the process of restoring a pre-owned electronic device so that it can function like new.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe establishment of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ctia.org\/news\/ctia-establishes-industry-standard-for-grading-pre-owned-wireless-devices\u0022\u003Eindustry guidelines and standards\u003C\/a\u003E also means that all pre-owned devices are thoroughly tested for functionality and cosmetic appearance before resale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompanies\u2019 deeper engagement with innovation appears to have created organizational momentum that carried over into other areas of product development. For example, in our study, we found that the passage of California\u2019s law directly resulted in a flurry of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1287\/msom.2023.0444\u0022\u003Epatents related to semiconductor materials, data storage and battery technology\u003C\/a\u003E, among others. These scientific advances have made devices more durable, repairable and recyclable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the average consumer, the recycling laws and the resulting industry responses mean used electronics are available with similar reliability, warranties and return policies as new devices \u2013 and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mordorintelligence.com\/industry-reports\/us-refurbished-and-used-mobile-phones-market\u0022\u003Eat prices as much as 50% lower\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/270347\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/new-industry-standards-and-tech-advances-make-pre-owned-electronics-a-viable-holiday-gift-option-270347\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPre-owned options are becoming increasingly viable, thanks in part to laws and policies that encourage recycling and reuse of devices that might previously have been thrown away.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Pre-owned options are becoming increasingly viable, thanks in part to laws and policies that encourage recycling and reuse of devices that might previously have been thrown away."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-12-10 14:23:37","changed_gmt":"2026-03-19 13:08:45","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678840":{"id":"678840","type":"image","title":"It\u2019s easier than ever to repair or recycle electronic devices. Elisa Schu\/picture alliance via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s easier than ever to repair or recycle electronic devices. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/november-2025-berlin-an-employee-checks-a-cell-phone-in-the-news-photo\/2248755177\u0022\u003EElisa Schu\/picture alliance via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1765808873","gmt_created":"2025-12-15 14:27:53","changed":"1765808873","gmt_changed":"2025-12-15 14:27:53","alt":"It\u2019s easier than ever to repair or recycle electronic devices. Elisa Schu\/picture alliance via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"262929","name":"file-20251204-56-npm444.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/15\/file-20251204-56-npm444.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/15\/file-20251204-56-npm444.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":250466,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/15\/file-20251204-56-npm444.jpg?itok=Kc2LvIpM"}}},"media_ids":["678840"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/new-industry-standards-and-tech-advances-make-pre-owned-electronics-a-viable-holiday-gift-option-270347","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1274","name":"Scheller College of Business"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/suvrat-dhanorkar-579449\u0022\u003ESuvrat Dhanorkar\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Professor of Operations Management, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689012":{"#nid":"689012","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Cohort of Computing Students Named Squarepoint Foundation Scholars","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFive Georgia Tech computer science (CS) students have been named Squarepoint Foundation Scholars, receiving merit- and need-based scholarships for their undergraduate studies. The Squarepoint Foundation is providing $100,000 to fund the awards, which offer $10,000 per year for two years to rising third-year students.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow in its second year of supporting the College of Computing, the Squarepoint Foundation continues to expand opportunities, enabling students to focus fully on their studies and pursue activities outside the classroom. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA selection committee led by \u003Cstrong\u003EMary Hudachek-Buswell\u003C\/strong\u003E, interim chair of the School of Computing Instruction (SCI), chose this year\u2019s cohort.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese students exemplify the curiosity, talent, and determination we strive to cultivate in computer science,\u201d Hudachek-Buswell said. \u201cThe Squarepoint Foundation Scholarships will give them the opportunity to focus fully on their studies while pursuing research and projects that have the potential to make a real-world impact.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scholars have demonstrated strong leadership across campus, with all five serving as teaching assistants (TAs) and earning faculty honors. The cohort is also engaged in\u0026nbsp;research and study abroad opportunities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFounded in 2021, the Squarepoint Foundation supports STEM education and research while partnering with organizations worldwide to expand opportunity and access.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are proud to continue our partnership with Georgia Tech, as we extend our support to a number of students working towards achieving their academic goals,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003EAllison Henry\u003C\/strong\u003E, Squarepoint Foundation manager.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Squarepoint Foundation aims to increase access to education, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to pursue the degree of their choice, no matter their circumstances. We wish these talented students the best of luck as they undertake their studies and recognize them for their hard work and dedication to the STEM field.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMeet the Scholars\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMaria Cymbalyuk\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECymbalyuk studies \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/threads-better-way-learn-computing\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECybersecurity and Information Internetwork threads\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, focusing on how technical systems shape who is protected or exposed in digital environments. She\u2019s interested in supporting public defenders and improving access to justice through technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis scholarship made this semester feel less financially stressful and more like I can focus on building the skills and experiences I care about,\u201d Cymbalyuk said. \u201cI want to use my skills to build tools and do research that supports public interest organizations.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMarziah Islam\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIslam concentrates on the People and Intelligence threads, exploring how humans interact with technology. She is developing a sign-language learning mobile app through a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vip.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVertically Integrated Project\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and hopes to build accessible, reliable systems in healthcare technology. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am fascinated by the intersection of humans and computing, and I want to design technology that better supports real people,\u201d Islam said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESahadev Bharath\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBharath studies Architecture and Information Internetworks threads, with interests in low-level programming, operating systems, and large-scale systems. He plans to begin his career in software engineering, focusing on distributed systems and AI infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cComing from India, being able to afford out-of-state tuition has been a challenge. This scholarship relieves financial stress and gives me more time to focus on my academics and career,\u201d Bharath said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am passionate about teaching and sharing my knowledge with fellow students. Being a TA has been extremely fulfilling and motivates me to continue contributing to education.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoie Yeung\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYeung studies Information Internetworks and Intelligence threads, with a focus on data and artificial intelligence. She has received the President\u2019s Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 100 service hours in one year. In addition to pursuing a career in software engineering, she is passionate about mentoring younger girls and addressing the gender gap in STEM. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI want to create meaningful and impactful technology while giving back to my communities. I also aim to show younger girls that they can succeed in computing despite the gender gap,\u201d Yeung said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJun Hong Wang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang studies system architecture and intelligence with a minor in mathematics, concentrating on computer architecture and low-level optimization. He is considering careers in software engineering, research, or entrepreneurship at the intersection of hardware and software.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m especially interested in how hardware and software intersect, and I hope to use my work to create solutions that are meaningful and helpful for the world,\u201d Wang said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scholarships offer vital support as these students keep advancing research, leadership, and influence in computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Squarepoint Foundation is providing $100,000 to fund the awards, which offer $10,000 per year for two years to rising third-year students.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Squarepoint Foundation is providing $100,000 to fund the awards, which offer $10,000 per year for two years to rising third-year students. "}],"uid":"36613","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 16:23:48","changed_gmt":"2026-03-18 17:11:18","author":"Emily Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679669":{"id":"679669","type":"image","title":"sp2.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA new cohort of computing students has been named Squarepoint Foundation scholars.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773851158","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 16:25:58","changed":"1773851158","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 16:25:58","alt":"A new cohort of computing students has been named Squarepoint Foundation scholars.","file":{"fid":"263855","name":"sp2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/sp2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/sp2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2146822,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/sp2.jpg?itok=kj6YWko0"}}},"media_ids":["679669"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660374","name":"School of Computing Instruction"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39541","name":"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:emily.smith@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EEmily Smith\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Computing\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688961":{"#nid":"688961","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Honorees Announced for Campus Installation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOne year after the opening of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/celebratingwomen.alumni.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPathway of Progress: Celebrating Georgia Tech Women\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the newest honorees have been selected for the permanent campus installation. \u003Cem\u003EPathway of Progress\u003C\/em\u003E recognizes alumnae, students, faculty, and staff\u202fwho have made significant contributions to campus, their chosen fields, and their communities. Following a nomination and selection process, individuals will continue to be added to this living installation each year.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPathway of Progress\u003C\/em\u003E was made possible by significant philanthropic support from Andrea Laliberte, IE 1982, M.S. IE 1984, HON Ph.D. 2025, and designed by Merica May Jensen, MGT 2008, M. ARCH 2011. The 2026 honorees embody the Institute\u2019s motto of Progress and Service and have made a lasting impact on the world around them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2026 \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPathway of Progress\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E Honorees\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENiesha Alice Butler, INTA 2016,\u003C\/strong\u003E is the founder and CEO of S.T.E.A.M. CHAMPS.\u0026nbsp;Her multifaceted career has included serving as a software engineer and computer science instructor. She has founded multiple companies focused on teaching coding, robotics, and engineering to underserved communities. While a student at Georgia Tech, she played basketball and was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 1999.\u202f\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMary\u0026nbsp;Ann Gordon, EE 1981,\u003C\/strong\u003E is a retired vice president of quality compliance at Altria Group. Her work in engineering and manufacturing\u0026nbsp;has influenced industry standards and operational excellence. A leader in her community, she also serves the Institute through her involvement on multiple boards, including the College of Engineering Advisory Board and the Georgia Tech Foundation Board of Trustees. She has given back to Georgia Tech through her support of undergraduate scholarships and Roll Call, among other areas of interest.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMargie Ann Morse, NE 1979,\u003C\/strong\u003E is\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ea pioneer in the field of nuclear engineering. She co-founded the engineering firm Parallax in 1992 and grew it into a multimillion-dollar\u0026nbsp;nuclear\u0026nbsp;logistics\u0026nbsp;service company.\u0026nbsp;She has remained involved with the Institute and served on the Georgia Tech Advisory Board.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHeather Smith Rocker, IE 1998,\u003C\/strong\u003E is the CEO of Women in Technology, an organization dedicated to creating more opportunities for women and girls to explore, pursue, persist, and lead in technology. She has served with organizations focused on advancing Georgia through STEM-focused education, workplace development, and leadership development, and was a member of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board of Trustees.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMarilyn Jones Smith, AE 1982, M.S. AE 1985, Ph.D. AE 1994,\u003C\/strong\u003E is the David S. Lewis Professor in the Daniel\u0026nbsp;Guggenheim\u0026nbsp;School of Aerospace Engineering and director of the Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence. She is a pioneer in the aerospace industry and leads award-winning research teams focused on critical aeromechanics issues. In addition to mentoring hundreds of students, she serves as a caregiver to the many cats who call the Georgia Tech campus home.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERidhi\u0026nbsp;Tariyal, IE 2002,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eis the co-founder and CEO of NextGen Jane. A leader in health science, she developed a method for using menstrual fluid for diagnostic testing, advancing the science of women\u2019s health and making testing more accessible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELiz\u0026nbsp;Harriss\u0026nbsp;York, ARCH 1990, M. ARCH 1995,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eis a managing principal at HDR. A recognized leader in sustainability, architecture, and public health, she\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ewas the first chief sustainability officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She has demonstrated her commitment to Georgia Tech through her volunteer leadership and service on the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board of Trustees, \u0026nbsp;as well as through her philanthropic support across campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOne year after the opening of \u003Cem\u003EPathway of Progress: Celebrating Georgia Tech Women\u003C\/em\u003E, the newest honorees have been selected for the permanent campus installation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"One year after the opening of Pathway of Progress: Celebrating Georgia Tech Women, the newest honorees have been selected for the permanent campus installation. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 11:13:26","changed_gmt":"2026-03-18 12:57:48","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679652":{"id":"679652","type":"image","title":"pathway_honorees_2026.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPathway of Progress\u003C\/em\u003E 2026 Honorees. (L-R): Niesha Alice Butler, Mary\u0026nbsp;Ann Gordon, Margie Ann Morse, Heather Smith Rocker, Marilyn Jones Smith, Ridhi\u0026nbsp;Tariyal, Liz\u0026nbsp;Harriss\u0026nbsp;York\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773753953","gmt_created":"2026-03-17 13:25:53","changed":"1773840419","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 13:26:59","alt":"Pathway of Progress 2026 Honorees","file":{"fid":"263852","name":"pathway_honorees_2026.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/pathway_honorees_2026.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/pathway_honorees_2026.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1089094,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/pathway_honorees_2026.jpg?itok=Gpj4_EkO"}}},"media_ids":["679652"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/celebratingwomen.alumni.gatech.edu\/","title":"Pathway of Progress: Celebrating Georgia Tech Women"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/features\/2025\/02\/pathway-progress-open-march-8","title":"Pathway of Progress Opening"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1262","name":"Office of Development"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:janet.kinard@alumni.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJanet Kinard\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EVice President of Engagement\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech Alumni Association\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685464":{"#nid":"685464","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Nakia Melecio Named Fulbright Scholar","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor more than two decades, Nakia Melecio has helped researchers and entrepreneurs translate discoveries into real-world impact across biotechnology, aerospace, defense, energy, and medical technology. He\u0027s helped launch and scale more than 1,500 startups worldwide, delivered over 15,000 hours of mentorship and training, and contributed to securing more than $400 million in funding for research-driven ventures. He has also led collaborations with NIH, ARPA-H, DOE, NASA, USAID, and universities across the globe. All of that work has now culminated with his recent recognition of a Fulbright Scholar.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBeing named a Fulbright Scholar is both an honor and opportunity to continue the work I love, helping transform breakthrough research into real-world impact,\u201d said Melecio, director of NSF I-Corps Southeast Hub, director of Georgia Tech\u2019s Center for MedTech Excellence, and principal at VentureLab. \u201cThis recognition allows me to collaborate with global partners, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and expand pathways that move discoveries out of the lab and into society.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpanding Georgia Tech\u2019s Global Reach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the Fulbright Scholar recognition, Melecio will share Georgia Tech\u2019s Lab to Market framework with international partners. The seven-week program, which he designed at Georgia Tech, guides teams from lab validation to commercialization and prepares them with customer discovery insights, regulatory strategies, and investor readiness. While newly developed, the framework is already being used at Georgia Tech and will now be extended globally through the Fulbright program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough his Fulbright project, Melecio will strengthen global startup ecosystems, share best practices in technology transfer, and support the commercialization of breakthrough research to address urgent societal challenges. He aims to advance research translation, while also building sustainable systems that create industries, jobs, and new economies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNakia\u2019s Fulbright recognition underscores the global reach of Georgia Tech\u2019s innovation ecosystem, and his leadership in international startup development exemplifies our commitment to creating technology that improves lives around the world,\u201d said Raghupathy \u201cSiva\u201d Sivakumar, chief commercialization officer and vice president of Commercialization at Georgia Tech. \u201cWe are incredibly proud of Nakia for earning this prestigious honor and look forward to the continued impact of his work supporting entrepreneurs worldwide.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fulbrightscholars.org\/what-fulbright\/fulbright-scholar-program\u0022\u003EFulbright Scholar Program\u003C\/a\u003E is the U.S. government\u2019s flagship international academic exchange initiative, designed to strengthen partnerships and foster cross-cultural collaboration. Through this award, Melecio will bring Georgia Tech\u2019s commercialization expertise to global partners, working side by side with researchers and entrepreneurs to accelerate technologies that address urgent challenges in health, energy, and economic development. From Atlanta to Ghanna, Melecio\u2019s work demonstrates the global reach of Georgia Tech\u2019s innovation community.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMelecio awarded Fulbright Scholar recognition for his global leadership in research commercialization and innovation ecosystem building\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Melecio awarded Fulbright Scholar recognition for his global leadership in research commercialization and innovation ecosystem building"}],"uid":"36434","created_gmt":"2025-10-02 18:26:14","changed_gmt":"2026-03-17 20:39:54","author":"lcameron30","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678278":{"id":"678278","type":"image","title":"Nakia Melecio","body":null,"created":"1759769577","gmt_created":"2025-10-06 16:52:57","changed":"1759769577","gmt_changed":"2025-10-06 16:52:57","alt":"Nakia Melecio","file":{"fid":"262283","name":"Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-9.33.27-AM--1-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/06\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-9.33.27-AM--1-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/06\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-9.33.27-AM--1-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":289889,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/06\/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-9.33.27-AM--1-.png?itok=aXxD3mv3"}}},"media_ids":["678278"],"groups":[{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688976":{"#nid":"688976","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Groundbreaking Speaker Series Will Welcome Its 15th Turing Award Winner as Its Last Guest","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAlthough it\u2019s often unintentional, faculty can seem intimidating. So, reaching out to a professor with questions can be quite a challenge for some students. For others, not so much.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zackaxel\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZachary Axel\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is a great example. Reaching well beyond Georgia Tech faculty, he started sending \u201ccold call\u201d emails in 2023 to A.M. Turing Award winners and other computing luminaries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe emails shared Axel\u2019s vision for a virtual platform that would enable Georgia Tech students and faculty to connect with some of the most distinguished minds in computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first to accept was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/awards.acm.org\/award_winners\/vardi_9543503#150\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMoshe\u0026nbsp;Vardi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a distinguished professor of computer science at Rice University and recipient of the 2020 AAAI Allen Newell Award and several other ACM awards. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZjKQTgxAOkU?si=tCcdVKLyaRrMgf4j\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVardi\u2019s January 2024 presentation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E was a hit and served as a template for what grew to become the Turing Mind Series at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThree years and nearly two dozen emails later, the series is wrapping up later this month, hosting its 22nd event and its 15th Turing Award winner.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luma.com\/n3fqy7hu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegistration is open for the final session of the Turing Mind Series on March 30, featuring 2019 Turing Laureate Patrick Hanrahan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, widely renowned for his enduring contributions to 3D computer graphics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere are approximately 70-75 living Turing Award winners. I am proud to say that we have hosted roughly 20% of them for the Turing Minds Series,\u201d said Axel, a former\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/omscs.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOnline Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E student.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFifteen felt like the right number to end on. We set out to connect Georgia Tech students and researchers with Turing Laureates, and we did exactly that. Mission accomplished.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs one might guess, Turing Award winners don\u2019t receive a lot of unsolicited emails from students.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.turing.rsvp\/speaker\/vint-cerf\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVinton Cerf\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a 2004 Turing Award winner, says people typically hesitate to engage without some form of endorsement or introduction.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat is notable about Zachary\u2019s initiative is that he undertook to \u2018cold call,\u2019 well, \u2018cold email,\u2019 Turing Award recipients to ask them to participate in the program,\u201d said Cerf, who, along with fellow 2004 Turing Laureate\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/amturing.acm.org\/award_winners\/kahn_4598637.cfm\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERobert Kahn\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, was instrumental in the pioneering development of fundamental internet communication protocols.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is a measure of his confidence and optimism that he succeeded in persuading Turing awardees to engage in the speaking program. Zachary did not hesitate and, in some ways, that may be why he was so successful,\u201d said Cerf.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAxel credits GT Computing Dean Emeritus\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/people\/zvi-galil\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZvi Galil\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E with encouraging him and offering guidance along the way.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cZach is amazing, and he has a lot of chutzpah,\u201d said Galil. \u201cThe Turing Minds Series is a remarkable achievement and has become the premier global speaker platform for computer science luminaries.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAxel thinks he was successful early on for two reasons: he kept it simple, and he used his Georgia Tech email address. He emailed the first five Turing Laureates from the perspective of a student hungry for knowledge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI simply asked the Laureates I reached if they would give 30 minutes of their time to virtually present to me and my GT classmates,\u201d said Axel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe says he would thoroughly research each winner so he could reference a presentation, paper, or another specific aspect of their work in his email. \u201cI did my homework. I made it very easy for them to say yes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAxel\u2019s request emails also offered the Turing Laureates \u2013and the Nobel Prize Laureates who were also invited\u2013 the option of sharing a presentation or participating in a Q\u0026amp;A. It was this decision to offer a Q\u0026amp;A format that led to one of the most significant moments of the Turing Mind Series for Axel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat\u0027s how we got legendary 1974 Turing Laureate\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.turing.rsvp\/speaker\/donald-knuth\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDonald Knuth\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Known for being extremely selective in accepting speaking invitations, he specifically stated that the offer to do a Q\u0026amp;A format was the reason he accepted,\u201d said Axel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI also don\u0027t think it hurt that the email was coming from an @gatech.edu\u0026nbsp;address, as the Georgia Tech name offered us significant credibility.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKnuth, widely regarded as the \u201cfather of algorithm analysis,\u201d and renowned for his foundational work, \u003Cem\u003EThe Art of Computer Programming\u003C\/em\u003E, joined the Turing Minds Series in October 2025 as its 12th guest.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThanks so much to you and Parsa for honoring me with an invitation to speak in the online \u2018Turing Minds\u2019 series at Georgia Tech,\u201d Knuth said in a note written to Axel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was lots of fun for me this morning to try to answer the excellent questions posed by so many of the viewers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/parsas\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EParsa Khazaeepoul\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is also a former OMSCS student and the co-founder of the series. Axel says that Khazaeepoul\u2019s technical expertise led to the success of the series\u2019 virtual platform.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cParsa built the series website and managed all of the challenges of hosting and scaling a platform that has impacted to date 4,000+ students and faculty from Georgia Tech and throughout the world.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Turing Minds Series at Georgia Tech hosted its first speaker in January 2024. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luma.com\/n3fqy7hu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Efinal installment is scheduled for March 30 at 1 p.m.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut this isn\u2019t the end of the series. Live video recordings of each of the soon-to-be 15 events in the series are available at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.turing.rsvp\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.turing.rsvp\/\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the website, Axel says the Turing Minds Series is partnering with the ACM, the creators and distributors of the A.M. Turing Award. The goal is to integrate the series into the ACM ecosystem, where it will be accessible to the ACM\u2019s 110,000 student and professional members in more than 170 countries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We had a lot of people reach out to us to thank us for what we were doing. Knowing that students left these conversations seeing what\u0027s possible in computer science, that meant everything to us,\u0022 said Axel.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFollowing 22 events featuring conversations with some of the brightest minds in computing, the Turing Minds Series at Georgia Tech draws to a close on March 30.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"What started with cold-call emails turned into a premier platform for students and faculty to connect with computing luminaries."}],"uid":"32045","created_gmt":"2026-03-17 17:52:19","changed_gmt":"2026-03-17 18:40:56","author":"Ben Snedeker","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679658":{"id":"679658","type":"image","title":"Turing-Mind-Letter.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA composite graphic of the mind featuring an overlay of a thank you note from Turing Award winner Donald Knuth following a virtual Q\u0026amp;A at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773769948","gmt_created":"2026-03-17 17:52:28","changed":"1773769948","gmt_changed":"2026-03-17 17:52:28","alt":"A composite graphic of the mind featuring overlay of thank you note from Turing Award winner Donald Knuth following a virtual Q\u0026A at Georgia Tech.","file":{"fid":"263841","name":"Turing-Mind-Letter.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/Turing-Mind-Letter.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/Turing-Mind-Letter.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":114546,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/17\/Turing-Mind-Letter.jpg?itok=VZoQgW4S"}}},"media_ids":["679658"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"431631","name":"OMS"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"168868","name":"Turing Award Winner"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBen Snedeker, Senior Communications Mgr.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Computing\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Ealbert.snedeker@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688960":{"#nid":"688960","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Campus Traffic Advisory: NCAA Women\u2019s Swimming and Diving Championships ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMembers of the Georgia Tech community should prepare for increased traffic congestion and limited parking availability on West Campus during two periods in March as Georgia Tech hosts the\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ramblinwreck.com\/2026-ncaa-division-i-womens-swimming-diving-championships\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENCAA Division I Women\u2019s Swimming and Diving Championships\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChampionship events will take place throughout the day on the following dates:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWednesday, March 18 \u2013 Saturday, March 21.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWednesday, March 25 \u2013 Saturday, March 28.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis large-scale event will bring a significant influx of student-athletes, coaches, and spectators to campus, resulting in increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout these weeks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAreas of Expected Congestion\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeak congestion is expected around the CRC and nearby parking areas. Be sure to make a plan, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes or transportation options when possible. Additionally, the intersection of 10th Street and Hemphill Avenue will be closed during this time for critical pipe repair beginning Monday, March 13, and will further complicate campus traffic.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EParking and Transportation Information\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParking demand will be higher than usual during these dates.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParking and Transportation Services (PTS) has communicated directly with affected permit holders about increased traffic volume, alternative parking options, and potential delays.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECongestion and relocation advisories\u003C\/strong\u003E have been sent to permit holders in the following parking areas:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EW02:\u003C\/strong\u003E Student Center Deck.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EW06: \u003C\/strong\u003ETech Parkway Street Spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EW10: \u003C\/strong\u003ECRC Deck.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EW22: \u003C\/strong\u003EDalney Deck.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional event-specific updates and transportation information are available on the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu\/2026\/03\/11\/2026-ncaa-swim-dive-championships-parking-info\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPTS website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMembers of the Georgia Tech community should prepare for increased traffic congestion and limited parking availability on West Campus during two periods in March as Georgia Tech hosts the NCAA Division I Women\u2019s Swimming and Diving Championships at the Campus Recreation Center.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Members of the Georgia Tech community should prepare for increased traffic congestion and limited parking availability on West Campus during two periods in March as Georgia Tech hosts the NCAA Division I Women\u2019s Swimming and Diving Championships."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-17 01:23:46","changed_gmt":"2026-03-17 12:05:01","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679651":{"id":"679651","type":"image","title":"McAuley Aquatic Center","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMcAuley Aquatic Center\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773749071","gmt_created":"2026-03-17 12:04:31","changed":"1773749071","gmt_changed":"2026-03-17 12:04:31","alt":"McAuley Aquatic Center","file":{"fid":"263834","name":"Screenshot-2026-03-17-at-8.03.46-AM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/Screenshot-2026-03-17-at-8.03.46-AM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/Screenshot-2026-03-17-at-8.03.46-AM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":7513245,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/17\/Screenshot-2026-03-17-at-8.03.46-AM.png?itok=8x9aopoK"}}},"media_ids":["679651"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/emergency","title":"10th Street and Hemphill Avenue Closed Starting Monday, March 16"}],"groups":[{"id":"64319","name":"Administration and Finance"},{"id":"1303","name":"GT Police Department"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"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":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Specialevents@police.gatech.edu\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Especialevents@police.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Support@pts.gatech.edu\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esupport@pts.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688718":{"#nid":"688718","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Receives Up to $21.8M Award in \u2018Unprecedented\u2019 Push to Treat Lymphatic Disease","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology has been awarded up to $21.8 million from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arpa-h.gov\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)\u003C\/a\u003E to deliver a first-of-its-kind therapy to patients with lymphatic disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor many of these patients, care has long meant pain and disfigurement alongside other severe side effects, rather than receiving treatment that addresses the disease itself. This new ARPA-H award marks a potential turning point.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELead researcher\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/thomas\u0022\u003ESusan Napier Thomas\u003C\/a\u003E, Woodruff Professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E (IBB), has collaborated with her colleague\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/dixon\u0022\u003EJ. Brandon Dixon\u003C\/a\u003E, Woodruff Professor in the Woodruff School and IBB, for more than a decade on this project. The research partners are driven by the lack of meaningful treatment options available to patients.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFunding support at this level is unprecedented,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cIt finally gives us a chance to move beyond symptom management and toward real treatment. We\u2019re addressing an underserved population with a huge unmet need.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Gap in Care\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe lymphatic system helps keep fluid moving through the body and plays a key role in immune health. When it does not function properly, fluid can build up in tissues, causing chronic pain and other long-term complications. Thomas noted that despite its toll on patients, lymphatic disease has lagged decades behind cardiovascular care in both treatment and research investment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are excited about this groundbreaking project in lymphatic engineering,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/garcia\u0022\u003EAndr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda,\u003C\/a\u003E IBB executive director. \u201cBy uniting interdisciplinary expertise, this work addresses long-standing challenges in lymphatic disease and moves meaningful solutions closer to the patients who need them most.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Comes Next\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the coming years, Thomas, Dixon, and their research partners will work toward an initial human trial, with an early focus on rare lymphatic conditions in children, as well as chronic disease in adults.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis award reflects Georgia Tech\u2019s growing leadership in using engineering to solve some of healthcare\u2019s biggest challenges,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/user\/1078\u0022\u003ECarolyn Seepersad\u003C\/a\u003E, Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. School Chair and professor in the Woodruff School. \u201cIt reinforces the Institute\u2019s role in advancing innovations that improve patient care and strengthen Georgia\u2019s position as a hub for health technology and biomedical innovation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe award was made through ARPA-H\u2019s Groundbreaking Lymphatic Interventions and Drug Exploration (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arpa-h.gov\/explore-funding\/programs\/glide\u0022\u003EGLIDE\u003C\/a\u003E) program led by Dr. Kimberley Steele.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was funded, in part, by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) under Agreement No. 1AY2AX000137-01. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. government.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has been awarded up to $21.8 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to develop a first-of-its-kind therapy for lymphatic disease, a condition that has long lacked effective treatment options. Led by Woodruff Professors Susan Napier Thomas and J. Brandon Dixon, the project aims to move beyond symptom management and address the disease itself, offering hope to patients who often experience chronic pain and disfigurement. Funded through ARPA-H\u2019s GLIDE program, the initiative will focus on advancing the therapy toward initial human trials, including for rare pediatric conditions. The award highlights Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in engineering-driven healthcare innovation and its commitment to improving care for underserved patient populations.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The project aims to move lymphatic disease out of the medical margins and toward patients who have had few meaningful treatment options."}],"uid":"36410","created_gmt":"2026-03-04 14:45:56","changed_gmt":"2026-03-13 21:29:44","author":"mazriel3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679638":{"id":"679638","type":"image","title":"Thomas\/Dixon REVISED headshots","body":null,"created":"1773436990","gmt_created":"2026-03-13 21:23:10","changed":"1773437095","gmt_changed":"2026-03-13 21:24:55","alt":"Headshots of Susan Thomas and J. Brandon DIxon","file":{"fid":"263821","name":"biggiesmalls.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/13\/biggiesmalls.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/13\/biggiesmalls.png","mime":"image\/png","size":6814046,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/13\/biggiesmalls.png?itok=ujVE7fCX"}}},"media_ids":["679638"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"140","name":"Cancer Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"385","name":"cancer"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMichelle Azriel \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Writer, Editor Research Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["mazriel3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688619":{"#nid":"688619","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Celebrate STEAM Launches Atlanta Science Festival ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo kick off the 13th annual \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantasciencefestival.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtlanta Science Festival\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (ASF), Georgia Tech hosted Celebrate STEAM on March 7, welcoming thousands of visitors to experience hands-on demonstrations and interactive displays showcasing the innovation and excitement at the intersection of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESetting the stage for the festival, which runs through March 21, Celebrate STEAM saw over 4,000 attendees take part in more than 50 activities on Tech\u2019s campus, from exploring the human brain with Georgia Tech neuroscience experts to creating art with robots. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAria Washington, a 9-year-old student, first attended Celebrate STEAM in 2024. Intrigued by a robotic dog demonstration, Washington set out to build her own. Two years later, she built her own robotic K-9 and earned first place in several competitions for her work and presentation skills.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022560\u0022 height=\u0022315\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tMKgEefBWp4?si=iT1_RzEXMtuArJlc\u0022 title=\u0022YouTube video player\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allow=\u0022accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022strict-origin-when-cross-origin\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCelebrate STEAM inspired me because when I saw the different exhibits, I thought, \u2018I can do that.\u2019 What made me decide to build my own was that I wanted to see how they worked. No one ever told me I was too young, but if someone did, I would try anyway,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJust Getting Started\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECelebrate STEAM was the first of more than 150 Atlanta Science Festival events across the city, culminating with the Exploration Expo at Piedmont Park on the festival\u2019s final day. Georgia Tech, Emory University, Delta Air Lines, and other presenting sponsors will host events throughout the festival, with Tech experts and others providing engaging and informative demonstrations at various events. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantasciencefestival.org\/events-2026\/1094-from-crisis-to-innovation\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFrom Crisis to Innovation: 50 Years of Renewable Energy\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom President Jimmy Carter\u2019s 1970s solar panels on the White House to today\u2019s high-tech solar vehicles, the look and efficiency of clean energy have been rapidly changing. Join the Carter Library and the Georgia Tech Solar Racing team for an engaging panel discussion on the evolution of clean energy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHear from experts about how Carter\u2019s early response to the energy crisis helped spark a clean energy revolution and see modern innovations in action. The racing team will bring their solar vehicles on-site for the public to view and interact with, offering a hands-on look at the future of sustainable transportation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantasciencefestival.org\/events-2026\/976-animals-in-motion\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAnimals in Motion: Biomechanics at Zoo Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. \u2013 2 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: Zoo Atlanta\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEver wonder how orangutans swing, or how an elephant\u0027s trunk works? This event at Zoo Atlanta celebrates the diversity of animals on Earth and the incredible ways they move. With help from biomechanics experts at Georgia Tech and other universities, visitors can participate in live demonstrations and presentations designed to engage and inspire them to learn more about biomechanics and its applications in bio-inspired design. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantasciencefestival.org\/events-2026\/973-guthman-musical-instrument-competition\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGuthman Musical Instrument Competition\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: Saturday, March 14, 7 \u2013 9:30 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: Ferst Center for the Arts\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAttendees will see the world\u0027s most innovative new musical instruments, meet the creators, hear them in concert, and vote on their favorites. The Guthman Musical Instrument Competition is a celebration of how science, engineering, art, and design help us imagine new ways to express ourselves through music.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlantasciencefestival.org\/events-2026\/1041-the-sound-of-molecules-with-the-musical-chemist\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EThe Sound of Molecules\u2019 With the Musical Chemist\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen: Friday, March 20, 7 \u2013 8 p.m.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere: Room 103, Instructional Center\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Musical Chemist Walker Smith turns atomic spectra into sound through data sonification, allowing visitors to hear a variety of elements and the ethereal chords they create together. His live show, \u003Cem\u003EThe Sound of Molecules\u003C\/em\u003E, features lasers, live music, and audience interaction, so \u201cbuckle your seatbelts, because things are about to get elemental.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Over 50 demonstrations took place throughout the day, and guest speakers shared insights into how STEAM is shaping the future.  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOver 50 demonstrations took place throughout the day, and guest speakers shared insights into how STEAM is shaping the future. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Over 50 demonstrations took place throughout the day, and guest speakers shared insights into how STEAM is shaping the future.  "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-03-02 17:46:24","changed_gmt":"2026-03-13 17:07:42","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679582":{"id":"679582","type":"image","title":"2026 Celebrate STEAM","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EChildren participate in a demo during the 2026 Celebrate STEAM event at Georgia Tech. Photo by Joya Chapman.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773257460","gmt_created":"2026-03-11 19:31:00","changed":"1773257460","gmt_changed":"2026-03-11 19:31:00","alt":"2026 Celebrate STEAM","file":{"fid":"263760","name":"DSC_7946.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/11\/DSC_7946.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/11\/DSC_7946.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5687378,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/11\/DSC_7946.jpeg?itok=_xSZnGaq"}}},"media_ids":["679582"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/atlantasciencefestival.org","title":"Atlanta Science Festival"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"}],"keywords":[{"id":"66491","name":"Atlanta Science Festival"},{"id":"178737","name":"annual events"},{"id":"167487","name":"STEM education"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013\u0026nbsp;Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688899":{"#nid":"688899","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Renews Memorandum of Understanding With Sandia","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESince 2020, Georgia Tech has partnered with Sandia National Laboratories, a federally funded research and development center focused on national security. In February, the two institutions renewed their collaboration with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reaffirming a relationship that has already strengthened research capabilities on both sides.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe partnership has driven progress in areas ranging from hypersonics to bioscience, while also deepening institutional ties beyond research. Joint faculty appointments \u2014 such as\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/mazumdar\u0022\u003EAnirban Mazumdar\u003C\/a\u003E, who holds roles at both Sandia and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u2014 demonstrate how closely the organizations work together. The collaboration has also expanded student talent pipelines, providing more avenues for Georgia Tech students to pursue careers at the national lab.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt its core, this partnership is about people,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u201cSandia and Georgia Tech share a commitment to discovery and developing the talent, creativity, and collaboration our nation needs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe renewed MOU, he said, \u201cstrengthens connections between our researchers, opens new doors for our students, and builds meaningful career pathways into national service. When our communities work together to address national priorities, we not only accelerate technological advances \u2014 we expand opportunities for the people who will shape the future of our nation\u2019s security.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnder the new MOU, Sandia and Georgia Tech will focus on integrated research across key national security\u2011aligned areas, including secure artificial intelligence and computing, quantum technologies, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, energy and grid resilience, and hypersonics.\u0026nbsp;The partnership emphasizes connecting manufacturing, computation, and systems approaches directly to national security applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTogether, we have been solving new and unprecedented challenges in science and engineering, and now we have a great opportunity to develop this partnership,\u201d said Dan Sinars, Sandia\u2019s deputy chief research officer. \u201cOur research benefits both national security and national prosperity, and keeps the country at the forefront of the world.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith this strengthened connection, the partners aim to grow their shared research footprint through increased funding, publications, and faculty-led startups. Over the long term, Georgia Tech intends to become one of Sandia\u2019s top hiring pipelines, ensuring that talent developed through joint research continues into national security careers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHistory of the Partnership\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute\u2019s collaboration with Sandia began in the mid\u20112010s, when the labs selected Georgia Tech as one of its partner institutions. The first MOU, signed in 2015, formalized the relationship and outlined initial technical focus areas.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2018,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/george-white\u0022\u003EGeorge White\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of strategic partnerships, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/olof-westerstahl\u0022\u003EOlof Westerstahl\u003C\/a\u003E, \u0026nbsp;senior director strategic initiatives in the Office of Corporate Engagement, helped expand the partnership. They launched \u201cSandia Day,\u201d an event designed to introduce Georgia Tech faculty to Sandia researchers and spark new collaborations. By 2020, the organizations signed a second MOU that expanded the partnership\u2019s technical focus areas to include energy and grid security, materials and nanotechnology, advanced electronics, advanced manufacturing, advanced computing, cyber and information security, bioscience, hypersonics, quantum information science, and engineering sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe results have been substantial. Since 2018, Sandia has sponsored $35 million in research collaborations with Georgia Tech. Researchers from both institutions have co-authored 450 publications since 2016. Research activity continues to accelerate, with $1.6 million in new contracts in the past year alone. As of August 2025, Sandia employs 325 Georgia Tech alumni \u2014 a testament to the impact of the growing talent pipeline.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe view our work with Sandia as the model for engagement with other national labs,\u201d said White. \u201cWith the new MOU, we will continue to grow the Sandia partnership. I would like to see our footprint double in scope in the next five years.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Sandia partnership will expand research impact, talent pipelines, and national security innovation.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Sandia partnership will expand research impact, talent pipelines, and national security innovation."}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-03-12 16:13:11","changed_gmt":"2026-03-12 18:20:44","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679602":{"id":"679602","type":"image","title":"Georgia-Tech-Signing-10.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPhoto by Alicia Bustillos from Sandia National Laboratories\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773332018","gmt_created":"2026-03-12 16:13:38","changed":"1773332018","gmt_changed":"2026-03-12 16:13:38","alt":"Group of people at Georgia Tech\/Sandia MOU signing","file":{"fid":"263782","name":"Georgia-Tech-Signing-10.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/Georgia-Tech-Signing-10.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/Georgia-Tech-Signing-10.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1227985,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/12\/Georgia-Tech-Signing-10.jpg?itok=fTlNkTlI"}}},"media_ids":["679602"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688893":{"#nid":"688893","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Sheepdogs Reveal a Better Way to Guide Robot Swarms","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESheepdogs, bred to control large groups of sheep in open fields, have demonstrated their skills in competitions dating back to the 1870s.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn these contests, a handler directs a trained dog with whistle signals to guide a small group of sheep across a field and sometimes split the flock cleanly into two groups. But sheep do not always cooperate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology studied how handler\u2013dog teams manage these unpredictable flocks in sheepdog trials and found principles that extend beyond livestock herding.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.adx6791\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Estudy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E published in \u003Cem\u003EScience Advances\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Eas the cover feature, the researchers applied those insights to computer simulations showing how similar strategies could improve the control of robot swarms, autonomous vehicles, AI agents, and other networked systems where many machines must coordinate their actions despite uncertain conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGroup Movement Dynamics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBirds, bugs, fish, sheep, and many other organisms move in groups because it benefits individuals, including protection from predators,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bhamla.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaad Bhamla\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. \u201cThe puzzle is that the \u2018group\u2019 is not a single organism. It is built from many individuals, each making local, imperfect decisions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen a predator threatens a herd of sheep, individuals near the edge often move toward the center to reduce their own risk, Bhamla explained. \u201cThis is \u2018selfish herd\u2019 behavior,\u201d he said. \u201cShepherds exploit that instinct using trained dogs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom examining hours of contest footage, the researchers found that controlling small groups of sheep can be harder than managing large ones. A larger group, with more sheep protected in the center, may behave more coherently than a small group as the animals constantly shift between two instincts: \u201cfollow the group\u201d and \u201cflee the dog.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat switching behavior makes the group unpredictable,\u201d said Tuhin Chakrabortty, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Bhamla Lab who co-led the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking closely at how dogs and their handlers guide small groups, the researchers found that unpredictability in the flock\u2019s behavior does not always make control harder. \u201cUnder the right conditions, that \u2018noisy\u2019 behavior might actually be a benefit,\u201d Bhamla said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESuccessful Sheep Herding\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESheepdog handlers categorize sheep by how strongly they respond to a dog\u2019s threatening pressure. Some very responsive sheep might panic under too much pressure, while others might ignore mild pressure and require stronger positioning by the dog.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers observed that successful control often followed a two-step pattern. First, the dog subtly influenced the sheep\u2019s orientation while the animals were mostly standing still. Once the flock was aligned in the desired direction, the dog increased pressure to trigger movement. The timing of those actions was critical, because alignment within a small group could disappear quickly as individuals switched between instincts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn our simulations, increasing pressure makes the flock reach the desired orientation faster, but how long the flock stays aligned is set mainly by noise,\u201d Chakrabortty said. \u201cIn essence, dogs can steer the direction, but they can\u2019t hold that decision indefinitely, so timing matters.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDeveloping Computer Models\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo understand the broader implications of that behavior, the team developed computer models that captured how sheep respond both to the dog and to one another. The models allowed the researchers to test different strategies for guiding groups whose members make independent decisions under uncertainty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey then applied those ideas to simulations of robotic swarms. Engineers often design such systems so that each robot blends signals from all nearby robots before deciding how to move. While that approach works well when signals are clear, it can break down when information is noisy or conflicting, Bhamla explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo explain why that switching strategy can work under noisy conditions, the researchers used an analogy of a smoke-filled room where only one person can see the exit, and no one knows who that person is. If everyone polls everyone else and averages the guesses, the one correct signal can get diluted by many noisy ones.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat\u2019s the counterintuitive part. When only one person has the right information, averaging can wash out the signal. But if you follow one person at a time, and keep switching who that is, the right information can spread through the crowd,\u201d Bhamla said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding on that idea, the researchers tested a strategy inspired by the switching behavior they observed in sheep. In the simulations, each robot paid attention to just one source at a time (either a guiding signal or a neighboring robot) and switched that source from one step to the next.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnder noisy conditions, this switching strategy required less effort to keep the group moving along a desired path than either averaging-based strategies or fixed leader-follower strategies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers call their approach the Indecisive Swarm Algorithm. The name reflects a counterintuitive insight: allowing influence to shift among individuals over time can make groups easier to guide when conditions are uncertain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur findings suggest that the same dynamics that make small animal groups unpredictable may also offer new ways to control complex engineered systems,\u201d Bhamla said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECITATION: Tuhin Chakrabortty and Saad Bhamla, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.adx6791\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EControlling noisy herds: Temporal network restructuring improves control of indecisive collectives\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EScience Advances\u003C\/em\u003E, 2026\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was funded in part by Schmidt Sciences as part of a \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/09\/16\/saad-bhamla-named-2025-schmidt-polymath\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESchmidt Polymath\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E grant to Saad Bhamla.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers studying sheepdog trials found new principles for guiding unpredictable groups and used them to develop computer models that could improve coordination in robot swarms, autonomous vehicles, and other networked systems.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers studying sheepdog trials found new principles for guiding unpredictable groups and used them to develop computer models that could improve coordination in robot swarms, autonomous vehicles, and other networked systems."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2026-03-11 19:59:46","changed_gmt":"2026-03-12 15:53:25","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679589":{"id":"679589","type":"video","title":"SMART Dogs herding sheep on a farm, looks like flock of bird pattern","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESMART Dogs herding sheep on a farm, looks like flock of bird pattern\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773260200","gmt_created":"2026-03-11 20:16:40","changed":"1773260200","gmt_changed":"2026-03-11 20:16:40","video":{"youtube_id":"_CjwqIX6C2I","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/_CjwqIX6C2I?si=bfsxIT77-iAJCm-2"}},"679590":{"id":"679590","type":"video","title":"A dog herding sheep in a sheepdog trial","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EA dog herding sheep in a sheepdog trial\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773260676","gmt_created":"2026-03-11 20:24:36","changed":"1773260676","gmt_changed":"2026-03-11 20:24:36","video":{"youtube_id":"cnPOXfUC8rc","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/cnPOXfUC8rc?si=41jH8u3UQ_qjgqWn"}},"679591":{"id":"679591","type":"video","title":" Controlling \u0027Noisy\u0027 Sheep Herds","body":"\u003Cp\u003EControlling \u0027noisy\u0027 sheep herds\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773260974","gmt_created":"2026-03-11 20:29:34","changed":"1773260974","gmt_changed":"2026-03-11 20:29:34","video":{"youtube_id":"EMHmDPpe8HE","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/EMHmDPpe8HE?si=_5DFsk_BafsIK78R"}},"679584":{"id":"679584","type":"image","title":"Sheepdog herding sheep","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESheepdog herding in a sheepdog trial competition\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773259589","gmt_created":"2026-03-11 20:06:29","changed":"1773261394","gmt_changed":"2026-03-11 20:36:34","alt":"Sheepdog herding sheep","file":{"fid":"263762","name":"sheepdog1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/11\/sheepdog1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/11\/sheepdog1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":226432,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/11\/sheepdog1.jpg?itok=sbHIPJIH"}},"679588":{"id":"679588","type":"image","title":"Sheeping herding resistant sheep","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESheepdogs first align the flock\u2019s direction, then apply pressure to trigger movement before the sheep lose alignment.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773259967","gmt_created":"2026-03-11 20:12:47","changed":"1773261607","gmt_changed":"2026-03-11 20:40:07","alt":"Sheepdog herding seep","file":{"fid":"263766","name":"sheepdog2-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/11\/sheepdog2-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/11\/sheepdog2-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":196318,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/11\/sheepdog2-copy.jpg?itok=F3wbneis"}}},"media_ids":["679589","679590","679591","679584","679588"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1240","name":"School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"667","name":"robotics"},{"id":"194958","name":"Sheepdogs"},{"id":"194959","name":"Herding"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrad Dixon, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: braddixon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688837":{"#nid":"688837","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Recognized as a Leader in Sustainable Transportation  ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAtlanta is consistently ranked among the top cities for congestion, but new projects and a commitment to improving transportation on campus and in the city have earned Georgia Tech several honors and a reputation as a transportation infrastructure leader.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECampus Cycle Track \u2013 Best New Bike Lanes of 2025\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince the celebratory opening ride, led by Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera, in August 2025, the campus cycle track has signaled a new phase of transportation at Tech. Linking the Campus Recreation Center and Tech Parkway along Ferst Drive to Tech Square, the track was named among the Best New U.S. Bike Lanes of 2025 by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.peopleforbikes.org\/news\/best-new-bike-lanes-2025\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPeopleForBikes\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe concept for the track, which promotes eco-friendly commuting options such as bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and skateboards, and offers a dedicated, bidirectional path separated from vehicular traffic, was developed in a 2019 award-winning senior capstone project by a group of civil engineering students.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2025 Institutional Leadership in Mobility Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecognizing the Institute\u0027s\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Eleadership in creating infrastructure and public spaces that support safe, sustainable, and accessible transportation options, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.letspropelatl.org\/2025_blinkie_awards_meet_the_winners\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPropel ATL\u003C\/a\u003E awarded Tech a 2025 Institutional Leadership in Mobility Award.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParking and Transportation Services (PTS), together with\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003EPlanning, Design, and Construction, partners with Propel ATL to conduct \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.letspropelatl.org\/city_cycling\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Emonthly group rides and bike safety classes\u003C\/a\u003E, and offers an online bike and scooter \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu\/commute\/commute-options\/bicycling-pmds\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esafety course\u003C\/a\u003E, in which students receive a free helmet upon completion. To date, PTS has given hundreds of free helmets to students, and the next class will take place on Wednesday, March 18. These courses, along with the Georgia Tech Police Department\u2019s efforts to educate the campus community on the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/10\/05\/how-safely-use-micromobility-campus\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esafe use of micromobility\u003C\/a\u003E, have helped Tech create a model for the city in micromobility safety and access.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest Workplace for Commuters\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute has also been recognized by Georgia Commute Options as one of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gacommuteoptions.com\/flexwork\/redefining-the-commute-5-metro-atlanta-organizations-win-2026-best-workplaces-for-commuters\/?utm_source=Businesses\u0026amp;utm_campaign=ffc386b1b3-B2B+Newsletter%2C+June+2022_COPY_01\u0026amp;utm_medium=email\u0026amp;utm_term=0_78c87c69f5-ffc386b1b3-434952870\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMetro Atlanta\u2019s top 5 best workplaces for commuters\u003C\/a\u003E. The group highlights Tech\u2019s partnership with the Midtown Alliance as an example of how the Institute \u201cplays a critical role in advancing sustainable commuting both on campus and across Midtown Atlanta\u201d through subsidized transit passes, extensive bike infrastructure, on-site showers and changing areas for cyclists, a robust campus shuttle network, carpool and electric vehicle parking, and dedicated transportation staff who provide personalized commute support.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPTS is continually working to promote sustainable travel to and from campus, seeking input from the community through its annual Campus Commute Survey. The survey has become increasingly revealing as campus infrastructure changes, leading to the creation of new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu\/2025\/10\/30\/new-bike-room-in-w02-student-center-parking-deck\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ebike storage facilities\u003C\/a\u003E, and the results will be used in the planning phase of future projects.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOngoing Success\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2024, Tech retained its status as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/facilities.gatech.edu\/2024-10\/georgia-tech-named-gold-bicycle-friendly-university-league-american-bicyclists\u0022\u003EGold-level Bicycle Friendly University\u003C\/a\u003E, as issued by the League of American Bicyclists. The prestigious distinction, which Tech has held since 2016, is awarded to institutions that successfully promote and establish safe and accessible campus bicycling programs and amenities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor five consecutive years, Georgia Tech has won Love to Ride\u2019s Atlanta Bicycle \u201cBiketober\u201d Challenge, with employees cycling 22,132 miles in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu\/2025\/12\/04\/georgia-tech-places-first-in-atlanta-bicycle-challenge\/\u0022\u003EOctober 2025\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEach of these honors and awards tells us that we are moving in the right direction and are doing our part to make it easier and safer to get to our campus and move throughout it,\u201d said Lisa Safstrom, PTS transportation program specialist. \u201cWe know we are able to take on these projects and continue to step up our efforts, and that\u2019s because of the expertise that exists on our campus and the input we receive from the community.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The campus cycle track and other projects have earned Georgia Tech several honors and a reputation as a transportation infrastructure leader. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe campus cycle track and other projects have earned Georgia Tech several honors and a reputation as a transportation infrastructure leader.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The campus cycle track and other projects have earned Georgia Tech several honors and a reputation as a transportation infrastructure leader. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-03-10 18:29:35","changed_gmt":"2026-03-11 02:06:40","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679573":{"id":"679573","type":"image","title":"Cycle Track","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA cyclist riding on the cycle track on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, on Georgia Tech\u0027s campus.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773194182","gmt_created":"2026-03-11 01:56:22","changed":"1773194388","gmt_changed":"2026-03-11 01:59:48","alt":"Cyclist on cycle track","file":{"fid":"263749","name":"26-R10410-P52-004.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/10\/26-R10410-P52-004.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/10\/26-R10410-P52-004.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2449902,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/10\/26-R10410-P52-004.JPG?itok=lC0ZKe1Z"}}},"media_ids":["679573"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu","title":"Parking and Transportation Services "}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192185","name":"Ferst Drive Realignment and Cycle Track"},{"id":"8106","name":"Georgia Tech Parking and Transportation"},{"id":"71811","name":"Office of Parking and Transportation Services"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano \u003C\/a\u003E\u2013 Institute Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688828":{"#nid":"688828","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Penicillin of Pressure Injuries: Researchers Develop New Sensor System to Prevent a Common Hospital Complication","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHospital stays can be long and arduous; they can also cause serious complications. When a person lies in one position too long and begins to sweat, painful sores called pressure injuries (PIs) can form on the body, leading to infection or even death. A patient can develop a PI in a few days \u2014 or even a few hours. And once present, a PI is hard to treat. To address this issue, researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new, flexible, sensor-filled fabric to monitor areas at risk of PIs and alert hospital staff when a patient needs to be turned.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/45129\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more about Georgia Tech\u2019s research on preventing pressure injuries \u00bb\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"These sensors, embedded in fabric, can monitor patients\u2019 physical condition and alert healthcare workers before pressure sores form."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher Nick Housley is developing a drug\u2011delivery system designed to send cancer treatments directly to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. His team\u2019s approach uses self\u2011assembling nanohydrogels (SANGs) that circulate through the body, remain inactive in healthy environments, and release their drug payload only when they encounter the unique chemical conditions created by tumors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"To address this issue, researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new, flexible, sensor-filled fabric to monitor areas at risk of PIs and alert hospital staff when a patient needs to be turned. "}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2026-03-10 16:05:20","changed_gmt":"2026-03-10 17:56:56","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679562":{"id":"679562","type":"image","title":"pi-for-mercury-researchers.jpg","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s flexible, sensor\u2011embedded fabric \u2014 designed to detect pressure injury risk and alert care teams when a patient needs repositioning \u2014 is now being tested on cribs in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta\u2019s Arthur M. Blank Hospital.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1773162846","gmt_created":"2026-03-10 17:14:06","changed":"1773162846","gmt_changed":"2026-03-10 17:14:06","alt":"Two adults wearing protective gowns and gloves stand beside a hospital crib, using a tablet device while examining an infant lying on the mattress as medical equipment and monitors surround the crib.","file":{"fid":"263738","name":"pi-for-mercury-researchers.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/10\/pi-for-mercury-researchers.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/10\/pi-for-mercury-researchers.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4183388,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/10\/pi-for-mercury-researchers.jpg?itok=ga9TjwGO"}}},"media_ids":["679562"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"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":""}},"688513":{"#nid":"688513","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Proving the Hypothesis: Kendreze Holland Becomes First Project ENGAGES Scholar to Earn Doctorate ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbstract\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was a hypothesis. I was the experiment, and the hypothesis was proven true.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECan an\u0026nbsp;inner-city student who grew up below the poverty line\u0026nbsp;earn a Ph.D. and make a career in research?\u0026nbsp;In theory, yes.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe barriers are many.\u0026nbsp;But\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451929424001888\u0022\u003Eliterature\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;suggests that early exposure to\u0026nbsp;STEM and research opportunities\u0026nbsp;can increase the odds\u0026nbsp;for students in need.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor\u0026nbsp;Kendreze\u0026nbsp;Holland,\u0026nbsp;the idea of\u0026nbsp;making it to college\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;earning an advanced degree\u0026nbsp;was a hypothesis.\u0026nbsp;Sure, theoretically\u0026nbsp;it could be done\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;in his\u0026nbsp;own home, not\u0026nbsp;everyone\u0026nbsp;had\u0026nbsp;even\u0026nbsp;made it past high school.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOften,\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;first\u0026nbsp;question\u0026nbsp;on the way to\u0026nbsp;scientific discovery\u0026nbsp;is:\u0026nbsp;What if? What if a student like Holland received the right help at the right time?\u0026nbsp;What if he\u0026nbsp;was guided\u0026nbsp;along the way by\u0026nbsp;mentors\u0026nbsp;who were leaders in their fields? What if\u0026nbsp;he was given the opportunity to develop professional skills\u0026nbsp;and make valuable connections?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland asked himself: What if he could be the one to\u0026nbsp;prove the hypothesis true?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntroduction\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland grew up\u0026nbsp;in northwest\u0026nbsp;Atlanta,\u0026nbsp;one of seven children\u0026nbsp;raised by a single mother.\u0026nbsp;Being\u0026nbsp;one of so many children, most would struggle to stand out. But Holland always\u0026nbsp;sought\u0026nbsp;to be different.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy perpetual intention was to be less of a burden to my mother,\u201d he said. \u201cSince my mother\u2019s education limited her abilities to help with my schoolwork, I went above the call of duty to stand out in academics.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis mother\u2019s education was cut short in ninth grade so she could raise her first child,\u0026nbsp;Holland\u2019s older sister,\u0026nbsp;and no one in his family had gone to college.\u0026nbsp;In his mind, he had\u0026nbsp;three career paths\u0026nbsp;to choose from: football, hip hop, or retail.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cStanding at a solid 5 foot 8,\u0026nbsp;the first\u0026nbsp;would have been difficult,\u201d he joked. \u201cAnd the latter two were not my calling.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust like his mother, the course of his life changed in his ninth-grade year. For\u0026nbsp;Holland,\u0026nbsp;it began an academic journey\u0026nbsp;he never expected.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2012, he was attending\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/best.atlantapublicschools.us\/\u0022\u003EB.E.S.T.\u0026nbsp;Academy\u003C\/a\u003E, an all-boys\u0026nbsp;public\u0026nbsp;school for grades six through\u0026nbsp;12\u0026nbsp;focused on\u0026nbsp;business and STEM.\u0026nbsp;Biology\u0026nbsp;class\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;just another hour\u0026nbsp;waiting to pass\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;15-year-old\u0026nbsp;Holland,\u0026nbsp;until the day\u0026nbsp;two guest speakers from\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;walked into the room with \u201csome weird\u0026nbsp;apparatuses and mechanical chopsticks.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe two guests\u0026nbsp;used the equipment\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;gel electrophoresis systems and pipettes\u0026nbsp;\u2014 to show the boys\u0026nbsp;what research can look like in real life.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis experience sparked within me a drive for science, and it was the first time I realized that I wanted to, and could,\u0026nbsp;attain\u0026nbsp;an advanced scientific degree,\u201d Holland said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe two speakers were\u0026nbsp;Manu Platt, a professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/schools\/biomedical-engineering\u0022\u003EWallace H.\u0026nbsp;Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at Georgia Tech and Emory University, and Jerald Dumas, a postdoctoral researcher.\u0026nbsp;Platt and Dumas\u0026nbsp;were\u0026nbsp;there\u0026nbsp;to recruit students for a new program\u0026nbsp;called\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/projectengages.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EProject ENGAGES\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;within the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IBB).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program was co-founded by Platt and the late Robert M. Nerem, IBB\u2019s founding executive director, to give\u0026nbsp;students\u0026nbsp;like Holland an opportunity\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;participate\u0026nbsp;in real research projects\u0026nbsp;that would hopefully\u0026nbsp;plant a seed\u0026nbsp;in the next generation of scientists.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents\u0026nbsp;come from\u0026nbsp;one of eight partner schools in Atlanta. Once\u0026nbsp;accepted, they\u0026nbsp;are\u0026nbsp;connected\u0026nbsp;to a Georgia Tech graduate\u0026nbsp;student who\u0026nbsp;mentors them and\u0026nbsp;supervises their work, and\u0026nbsp;they\u0026nbsp;get paid to\u0026nbsp;work in\u0026nbsp;their assigned\u0026nbsp;lab\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;one year.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProject ENGAGES\u0026nbsp;does more than\u0026nbsp;expose students to STEM concepts and ideas. It\u0026nbsp;equips them with the skills and knowledge to carry out their own independent research projects.\u0026nbsp;They also\u0026nbsp;have\u0026nbsp;opportunities to\u0026nbsp;establish\u0026nbsp;connections with university faculty and industry representatives who can provide career guidance and support.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMethods\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough Holland\u0026nbsp;didn\u2019t\u0026nbsp;meet the program\u2019s age requirement\u0026nbsp;in 2012, he applied again\u0026nbsp;the next year and\u0026nbsp;was accepted.\u0026nbsp;During his junior and senior years of high\u0026nbsp;school,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;worked\u0026nbsp;in Platt\u2019s lab, where he aided with\u0026nbsp;projects\u0026nbsp;involving proteins, cell cultures, and\u0026nbsp;antibodies.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOver the course of those two years, the growth I saw scientifically, professionally, and in maturity, all corroborated my belief that\u0026nbsp;Kendreze\u0026nbsp;was going far, and able to push past whatever goals and obstacles he comes up against,\u201d\u0026nbsp;said Platt,\u0026nbsp;now the\u0026nbsp;director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nibib.nih.gov\/labs-at-nibib\/center-for-biomedical-engineering-technology-acceleration-beta\u0022\u003ECenter for Biomedical Engineering Technology Acceleration\u003C\/a\u003E housed within the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nibib.nih.gov\/\u0022\u003ENational Institute of\u0026nbsp;Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland\u0027s experience sparked\u0026nbsp;a love for science\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;a career-long connection with Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;After high school, he\u0026nbsp;graduated summa cum laude\u0026nbsp;with a degree in chemistry\u0026nbsp;from Georgia State University.\u0026nbsp;As an undergraduate, he stayed connected with Tech and with IBB as a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\/petit-undergraduate-research-scholars-program\u0022\u003EPetit Scholar\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;a yearlong mentorship program and research experience for top students around Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI really wanted to stay close to home, and I felt like everything was in my backyard,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are many people who come\u0026nbsp;here\u0026nbsp;from other places\u0026nbsp;to Tech because of the great\u0026nbsp;science that is going on.\u0026nbsp;There\u2019s\u0026nbsp;something special about Atlanta, and\u0026nbsp;I\u2019m\u0026nbsp;just getting the best of what I can from it.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe credits his\u0026nbsp;time\u0026nbsp;in Project ENGAGES\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;giving him the confidence and resilience\u0026nbsp;to continue toward his goals.\u0026nbsp;Like many others in the program, he was a first-generation college student\u0026nbsp;with little to no\u0026nbsp;guidance\u0026nbsp;for his academic career.\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;holistic approach\u0026nbsp;of Project ENGAGES\u0026nbsp;provided\u0026nbsp;professional development opportunities and standardized test preparation\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;ready\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;for life in college and beyond.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI knew I\u0026nbsp;wanted to go to grad school, but I didn\u2019t know I was going to do all these things,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cHaving that one goal sprouted a lot of side quests that just grew into something bigger.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter graduating from\u0026nbsp;Georgia State\u0026nbsp;in 2020, Holland was accepted into Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBioengineering Graduate Program\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;as a doctoral student.\u0026nbsp;In December\u0026nbsp;2025, he became the first Project ENGAGES\u0026nbsp;alumnus\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;successfully defend his dissertation,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;is expected to graduate\u0026nbsp;this spring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/lakeita-servance\u0022\u003ELakeita\u0026nbsp;Servance\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;assistant\u0026nbsp;director of Outreach Initiatives at IBB, was\u0026nbsp;the program manager for Project ENGAGES when Holland was accepted\u0026nbsp;and cheered him on\u0026nbsp;more than 10 years later as he\u0026nbsp;presented his\u0026nbsp;doctoral\u0026nbsp;research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs I sat in that room while he was defending his dissertation and\u0026nbsp;sharing his research with all of us, I still reflected on that boy\u0026nbsp;I saw at 16 years old,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was\u0026nbsp;this full circle moment to see him make it all the way back here.\u0026nbsp;The investment\u0026nbsp;we made over a decade ago has paid off in such a large way.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResults\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to being the first in his family to go to college and earn an advanced degree, Holland\u0026nbsp;received financial support from the National Science Foundation\u2019s Graduate Research Fellowship Program;\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;awarded\u0026nbsp;multiple\u0026nbsp;prestigious\u0026nbsp;fellowships, including FORD,\u0026nbsp;GEM, and Herbert P. Haley;\u0026nbsp;landed an internship\u0026nbsp;with 3M Corporate Research Materials Laboratory;\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;served as a\u0026nbsp;mentor\u0026nbsp;in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/nakatani-ries\/\u0022\u003ENakatani Research and International Experience for Students\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;He has\u0026nbsp;published papers, led panel discussions,\u0026nbsp;applied\u0026nbsp;for patents, and\u0026nbsp;presented his research at national conferences.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAll that stemmed from Project ENGAGES,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd more importantly, I applied\u0026nbsp;to be a mentor for the ENGAGES program.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland said some of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;most\u0026nbsp;meaningful experiences have come from\u0026nbsp;being able to give back.\u0026nbsp;He has served as a mentor, both formally and informally,\u0026nbsp;to more than half a dozen students,\u0026nbsp;some\u0026nbsp;who\u0026nbsp;come\u0026nbsp;from backgrounds\u0026nbsp;much like his own.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0026nbsp;wanted to\u0026nbsp;give\u0026nbsp;back to the program because it poured so much into me. They were able to get me all the way to the Ph.D. level, so I knew that I could use my grind to help other students.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConclusion\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving proved the hypothesis true, Holland is turning his focus to the future, considering his options in academia and corporate research while he continues to work as a postdoc at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis research in John\u0026nbsp;Blazeck\u2019s\u0026nbsp;lab\u0026nbsp;focuses on cellular engineering using CRISPR gene editing technology\u0026nbsp;to regulate gene profiles, meaning he and other researchers can turn certain genes up and others down to affect\u0026nbsp;the way cells respond.\u0026nbsp;Though he is currently working with yeast cells, he hopes that his research will translate into mammalian cells that could have more clinical applications.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn terms of diseases and disorders, you can use it to tune genes to help someone experiencing cancer\u0026nbsp;by helping immune cells or stopping cancer cells from dividing rapidly,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can also help other cells to survive longer, and longer cell viability means potentially a patient can survive longer.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat began as a presentation in\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;high school science class has led Holland\u0026nbsp;to a future he never expected.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2815\u0022\u003ETequila Harris\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W.\u0026nbsp;Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;co-director of Project ENGAGES, said\u0026nbsp;his story shows others that they can do the same.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI believe his achievements will inspire and motivate generations of students to pursue dreams that they may not have known they had.\u0026nbsp;Kendreze\u0026nbsp;Holland has fundamentally shown others that there are multiple pathways to engage in STEM and that opportunities and access to advanced degrees can\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;attained\u0026nbsp;by those willing to do the work.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland\u0027s story is symbolic of the ultimate goal for Project ENGAGES:\u0026nbsp;to change the lives of talented young people who may never have had the opportunity to succeed.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat\u2019s why I was so adamant about getting my Ph.D.,\u201d he said,\u0026nbsp;\u201cto show\u0026nbsp;that one could potentially overcome what they were going through to do something extraordinary.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EProject ENGAGES is possible thanks to philanthropic support from our generous community: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/giving.gatech.edu\/campaigns\/60129\/donations\/new?designation_id=55a493\u0026amp;\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDonate here\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor Kendreze Holland, the idea of making it to college and earning an advanced degree was a hypothesis. Holland asked himself: What if he could be the one to prove the hypothesis true?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat began as a presentation in a high school science class has led Holland to a future he never expected \u2013 planning to graduate from Georgia Tech with a Ph.D. in bioengineering this spring. His story is symbolic of the ultimate goal for the Project ENGAGES program: to change the lives of talented young people who may never have had the opportunity to succeed.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In December 2025, he became the first Project ENGAGES alumnus to successfully defend his dissertation, and he is expected to graduate this spring. "}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-02-25 13:55:09","changed_gmt":"2026-03-09 17:59:22","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679431":{"id":"679431","type":"image","title":"Holland-Lab.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772045667","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 18:54:27","changed":"1772045667","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 18:54:27","alt":"A man in a lab coat wearing safety goggles and gloves puts samples into a machine in a scientific lab","file":{"fid":"263594","name":"Holland-Lab.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Holland-Lab.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Holland-Lab.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1197473,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/Holland-Lab.jpg?itok=3WyFADtX"}}},"media_ids":["679431"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"172056","name":"go-BioE"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ashlie.bowman@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688716":{"#nid":"688716","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Research Priorities Chart Course Toward Impactful, Energy-Efficient Computing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers applied their expertise to a national research program that will shape the future of computing. Their work may yield more energy-efficient computers and better predictions for environmental challenges like carbon storage, tsunamis, wildfires, and sustainable energy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of Energy Office of Science recently released two reports through its Advanced Scientific Computing Research (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/science\/ascr\/advanced-scientific-computing-research\u0022\u003EASCR\u003C\/a\u003E) program. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/ascr\/Community-Resources\/Program-Documents\u0022\u003Ereports\u003C\/a\u003E were produced by workshops that brought together researchers from universities, national labs, government, and industry to set priorities for scientific computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/slim.gatech.edu\/people\/felix-j-herrmann\u0022\u003EFelix Herrmann\u003C\/a\u003E served on the organizing committee for the Workshop on Inverse Methods for Complex Systems under Uncertainty. Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~pchen402\/group.html\u0022\u003EPeng Chen\u003C\/a\u003E joined Herrmann as a workshop participant, contributing expertise in data science and machine learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInverse methods work backward from outcomes to find their causes. Scientists use these tools to study complex systems, like designing new materials with targeted properties and using past wildfires to map vulnerable areas and behavior of future fires.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.osti.gov\/biblio\/2583339\u0022\u003EASCR report\u003C\/a\u003E highlighted Herrmann\u2019s work on seismic exploration and monitoring through digital twins. Founded on inverse methods, digital twins upgrade from static models to virtual systems that accurately mirror their physical counterparts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDigital twins integrate real-time data sources, including fluid flows, monitoring and control systems, risk assessments, and human decisions. These models also account for uncertainty and address data gaps or limitations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe DOE organized the workshop to support the growing role of inverse modeling. The group identified four priority research directions (PRDs) to guide future work. The PRDs are:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 1: Discovering, exploiting, and preserving structure\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 2: Identifying and overcoming model limitations\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 3: Integrating disparate multimodal and\/or dynamic data\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 4: Solving goal-oriented inverse problems for downstream tasks\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA digital twin is a system you can control, like to optimize operations or to minimize risk,\u201d said Herrmann, who holds joint appointments in the Schools of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Computational Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDigital twins give you a principled way to consider uncertainties, which there are a lot in subsurface monitoring. If you inject carbon dioxide too fast, you will will increase the pressure and may fracture the rock. If you inject too slow, then the process may become too costly. Digital twins help us make balanced decisions under uncertainty.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupercomputers, algorithms, and artificial intelligence now power modern science. However, these tools consume enormous amounts of energy. This raises concerns about how to sustain computing and scientific research as we know them in the decades ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessors\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vuduc.org\/v2\/\u0022\u003ERich Vuduc\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hyesoon.github.io\/\u0022\u003EHyesoon Kim\u003C\/a\u003E co-authored\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.osti.gov\/biblio\/2476961\u0022\u003Ethe report\u003C\/a\u003E from the Workshop on Energy-Efficient Computing for Science. At the three-day ASCR workshop, participants identified five key research directions:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 1: Co-design energy-efficient hardware devices and architectures for important workloads\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 2: Define the algorithmic foundations of energy-efficient scientific computing\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 3: Reconceptualize software ecosystems for energy efficiency\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 4: Enable energy-efficient data management for data centers, instruments, and users\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPRD 5: Develop integrated, scalable energy measurement and modeling capabilities for next-generation computing systems\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m cautiously optimistic about the future of energy-efficient computing. The ASCR report says, from a technological point of view, there are things we can do,\u201d said Vuduc.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe report lays out paths for how we might design better apps, hardware systems, and algorithms that will use less energy. This is recognition that we should think about how architectures and software work together to drive down energy usage for systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers applied their expertise to a national research program that will shape the future of computing. Their work may yield more energy-efficient computers and better predictions for environmental challenges like carbon storage, tsunamis, wildfires, and sustainable energy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Department of Energy Office of Science recently released two reports through its Advanced Scientific Computing Research (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/science\/ascr\/advanced-scientific-computing-research\u0022\u003EASCR\u003C\/a\u003E) program. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/ascr\/Community-Resources\/Program-Documents\u0022\u003Ereports\u003C\/a\u003E were produced by workshops that brought together researchers from universities, national labs, government, and industry to set priorities for scientific computing.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech faculty members contributed to two DOE Advanced Scientific Computing Research program workshops. Recently published reports of their work may yield more energy-efficient computers and better predictions for environmental challenges."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-03-04 13:29:44","changed_gmt":"2026-03-04 21:01:18","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679513":{"id":"679513","type":"image","title":"ASCR-Report-Authors.png","body":null,"created":"1772630996","gmt_created":"2026-03-04 13:29:56","changed":"1772630996","gmt_changed":"2026-03-04 13:29:56","alt":"DOE Office of Science ASCR Reports","file":{"fid":"263685","name":"ASCR-Report-Authors.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Authors.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Authors.png","mime":"image\/png","size":578789,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Authors.png?itok=dQ53-joi"}},"679514":{"id":"679514","type":"image","title":"ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772631052","gmt_created":"2026-03-04 13:30:52","changed":"1772631052","gmt_changed":"2026-03-04 13:30:52","alt":"ASCR Workshop on Inverse Methods for Complex Systems under Uncertainty","file":{"fid":"263686","name":"ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":56325,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Inverse-methods.jpg?itok=rZGhJhnP"}},"679515":{"id":"679515","type":"image","title":"ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772631087","gmt_created":"2026-03-04 13:31:27","changed":"1772631087","gmt_changed":"2026-03-04 13:31:27","alt":"ASCR Workshop on Energy-Efficient Computing for Science","file":{"fid":"263687","name":"ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":58857,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/04\/ASCR-Report-Energy-Efficient-Computing.jpg?itok=-0arX_Rb"}}},"media_ids":["679513","679514","679515"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-research-priorities-chart-course-toward-impactful-energy-efficient-computing","title":"New Research Priorities Chart Course Toward Impactful, Energy-Efficient Computing"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"663","name":"Department of Energy"},{"id":"179230","name":"digital twin"},{"id":"15030","name":"high-performance computing"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688732":{"#nid":"688732","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Building Space, Tools, and Trust","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGary Spinner\u2019s unexpected path into higher education and microfabrication began after he shifted from working as a teenage cook to studying electronics, eventually launching a semiconductor career with IBM and Intel before joining Georgia Tech in 1994. Over three decades, he advanced from cleanroom technician to director of operations for the Institute for Matter and Systems, helping expand the cleanroom footprint, modernize tools and infrastructure, and transform student roles into hands-on engineering opportunities. His mentorship shaped the careers of many former students, several of whom now work alongside him, and his leadership led to the development of SUMS, the software platform that streamlines cleanroom access and tool management across campus. Spinner continues to drive growth in facilities and capabilities, positioning Georgia Tech at the center of a thriving semiconductor ecosystem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/45118\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Gary Spinner has spent 30 years expanding Georgia Tech\u2019s cleanroom and core facilities \u2014 and the shared practices that make them work."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGary Spinner\u2019s unexpected path into higher education and microfabrication began after he shifted from working as a teenage cook to studying electronics, eventually launching a semiconductor career with IBM and Intel before joining Georgia Tech in 1994. Over three decades, he advanced from cleanroom technician to director of operations for the Institute for Matter and Systems, helping expand the cleanroom footprint, modernize tools and infrastructure, and transform student roles into hands-on engineering opportunities. His mentorship shaped the careers of many former students, several of whom now work alongside him, and his leadership led to the development of SUMS, the software platform that streamlines cleanroom access and tool management across campus. Spinner continues to drive growth in facilities and capabilities, positioning Georgia Tech at the center of a thriving semiconductor ecosystem.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Gary Spinner went from an unexpected start in engineering to a 30\u2011year career at Georgia Tech, where he helped expand the cleanroom, mentored generations of students, and led the creation of SUMS \u2014 a tool that transformed access to core research facilitie"}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2026-03-04 19:45:53","changed_gmt":"2026-03-04 19:50:43","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679524":{"id":"679524","type":"image","title":"spinner-in-marcus-cleanroom.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGary Spinner working on a tool in the 20,000-sq.-ft. Marcus Nanotechnology Building cleanroom.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772653563","gmt_created":"2026-03-04 19:46:03","changed":"1772653563","gmt_changed":"2026-03-04 19:46:03","alt":"A cleanroom technician in protective gear works at a computer workstation in a semiconductor lab, with a blue signal light in the foreground and lab equipment behind them.","file":{"fid":"263697","name":"spinner-in-marcus-cleanroom.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/spinner-in-marcus-cleanroom.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/04\/spinner-in-marcus-cleanroom.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2223257,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/04\/spinner-in-marcus-cleanroom.jpg?itok=9ZNG5X5i"}}},"media_ids":["679524"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688680":{"#nid":"688680","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute Names Strategic Initiative Leaders to Advance Microbial Innovation and Business Integration ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/renewablebioproducts.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERenewable Bioproducts Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (RBI) has appointed two additional Strategic Initiative Leaders (SILs) to help shape the next phase of its research and engagement strategy: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2842\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJoel Kostka\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/21500\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETitiksha Fernandes\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESILs serve on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/renewablebioproducts.gatech.edu\/about\/people?role=62\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERBI\u2019s leadership team\u003C\/a\u003E and play a strategic role in expanding interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in the bioeconomy, and catalyzing new research and education initiatives across campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u201cRBI\u2019s work has always been about connecting strong science and engineering to the needs of Georgia\u2019s forestry and renewable materials industries,\u201d said Carson Meredith, director of RBI. \u201cJoel and Titiksha bring leadership that strengthens both sides of that work \u2014 advancing the biological foundations of renewable systems while building the business and entrepreneurship capacity needed to translate discovery into durable impact.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvancing Microbial Biotechnology for the Forest Bioeconomy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/renewablebioproducts.gatech.edu\/people\/joel-kostka\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJoel Kostka,\u003C\/a\u003E Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and Associate Chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences, will lead a strategic initiative focused on microbial biotechnology in renewable bioproducts. His initiative leverages microbiology and microbiome engineering in a systems approach to address woody biomass utilization, biorefining, microbial contamination in pulp and paper processing, and the development of forest and plant feedstocks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe effort complements RBI\u2019s existing strengths in chemistry and engineering, including initiatives such as the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/renewablebioproducts.gatech.edu\/research\/center-for-renewables-based-economy-from-wood\u0022\u003ECenter for a Renewables-Based Economy from Wood (ReWOOD)\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/renewablebioproducts.gatech.edu\/research\/center-for-renewables-based-economy-from-wood\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E,\u003C\/a\u003E by bringing cutting-edge microbial science into the modernization of the forest industry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe initiative centers on two core areas: improving biomass deconstruction and bioconversion, and engineering plant and soil microbiomes to support the development of climate-resilient biomass feedstocks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNatural microbiomes, those microbes that are intimately associated with plants and soils, already drive the natural cycles that break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and help plants to grow better,\u201d said Kostka. \u201cIf we understand and engineer those systems more intentionally, we can unlock more efficient bioconversion pathways and help build a forest bioeconomy that is both productive and climate resilient.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKostka\u2019s research studies the role of microbes in the functioning of ecosystems ranging from oceans to terrestrial subsurface environments. Through this initiative, he aims to connect that foundational microbial science to use-inspired solutions in renewable bioproducts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBridging Business and Bioproducts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/renewablebioproducts.gatech.edu\/people\/titiksha-fernandes\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETitiksha Fernandes\u003C\/a\u003E will lead RBI\u2019s initiative to develop structured collaboration with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EScheller College of Business\u003C\/a\u003E. Her effort will establish a strategic framework for exploring deeper RBI\u2013Scheller engagement across research, education, and entrepreneurship.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe initiative will explore integrating business training into RBI fellowship programs, engaging business graduate students in RBI research, strengthening industry partnerships, and advancing joint entrepreneurship activities that translate scientific discoveries into ventures.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cScientific innovation alone doesn\u2019t create impact,\u201d said Fernandes. \u201cWe need the strategy, entrepreneurship, and systems thinking that allow discoveries to move from the lab into markets and communities. This initiative is about building those pathways intentionally.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFernandes currently serves as extension professional for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/centers-and-initiatives\/ray-c-anderson-center-for-sustainable-business\/drawdown\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDrawdown Georgia Business Compact,\u003C\/a\u003E an initiative of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/centers-and-initiatives\/ray-c-anderson-center-for-sustainable-business\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERay C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business\u003C\/a\u003E. In this role, she advances initiatives in materials circularity and food and agriculture. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and is a Certified Circular Economy Manager, with experience designing sustainability and resource efficiency policy at national and state levels, including work on e-waste reform in India and circular economy implementation in the U.S.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003ERBI\u2019s Strategic Initiative Leaders are appointed for renewable 12-month terms and are expected to foster new interdisciplinary collaborations that extend beyond their home units. Leaders participate in shaping research directions, reviewing fellowship proposals, developing workshops and symposia, and connecting faculty, students, industry, and national laboratories.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) has appointed two additional Strategic Initiative Leaders (SILs) to help shape the next phase of its research and engagement strategy: Joel Kostka and Titiksha Fernandes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) has appointed two additional Strategic Initiative Leaders (SILs) to help shape the next phase of its research and engagement strategy: Joel Kostka and Titiksha Fernandes. "}],"uid":"36757","created_gmt":"2026-03-03 19:26:26","changed_gmt":"2026-03-04 18:22:00","author":"ychernet3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679510":{"id":"679510","type":"image","title":"2sded.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772565994","gmt_created":"2026-03-03 19:26:34","changed":"1772565994","gmt_changed":"2026-03-03 19:26:34","alt":"Side-by-side photos of Joel Kostka and Titiksha Fernandes","file":{"fid":"263682","name":"2sded.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/2sded.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/2sded.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1008966,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/03\/2sded.jpg?itok=5hmBs1l4"}}},"media_ids":["679510"],"groups":[{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: ychernet3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYanet Chernet\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Officer I\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688605":{"#nid":"688605","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Students Take the Lead in Campus Energy Decisions Through Hands-On VIP Course","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students are playing a direct role in shaping the Institute\u2019s energy future thanks to a unique hands\u2011on opportunity offered through the Georgia Tech Energy Solutions Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) course. In the fall, the class stepped out of the traditional classroom and into the mechanical rooms, rooftops, and hallways of campus buildings to conduct real energy audits \u2014 work that will help guide actual decisions about future building upgrades and operational improvements.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELed by Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability, and Jairo Garcia, resilience specialist in the Office of Sustainability, the course gives students not only technical training, but also meaningful influence over how campus energy systems evolve as well as a greater understanding of campus infrastructure systems.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur students are incredibly capable, and this course shows just how much they can contribute when given the opportunity. Their recommendations actively support Georgia Tech\u2019s long-term sustainability goals and help drive real change in improving our campus energy performance,\u201d Chirico said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter learning the fundamentals of building energy use and audit methodology in class, students partnered with Building Managers Eric Denison and Ross Bongiovi for an interactive walkthrough of four buildings on Marietta Street. The tour introduced them to the technologies behind campus operations, from HVAC controls to lighting systems, and demonstrated how real\u2011world building conditions affect energy performance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents then performed deeper assessments of each building, focusing on core areas such as:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHeating and cooling systems (HVAC).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELighting technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWater usage and plumbing fixtures.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EConstruction design and building envelope performance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese observations formed the basis for recommendations aimed at improving efficiency, reducing emissions, and lowering operating costs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring the walkthrough, students identified actionable opportunities for campus energy savings, including:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETransitioning fluorescent bulbs to LED lighting.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EElectrifying gas\u2011powered space heaters.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInstalling motion sensors for sinks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReducing energy loss from building envelope leakage.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EImproving HVAC zoning.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EConsidering renovation strategy and construction approach.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUsing building standards like LEED to guide upgrades.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir findings reflect classroom learning and fresh perspectives that building managers and sustainability staff value in long\u2011term planning efforts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe experience sparked inspiration and awareness among participating students. \u201cIt was interesting to see the different HVAC systems and the temperatures they are constantly maintaining. I didn\u2019t think about how these systems are always going even when we aren\u2019t in the building,\u201d\u003Cem\u003E \u003C\/em\u003Esaid electrical engineering student Noah Mitchell.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cJoining the VIP allowed me to see the behind\u2011the\u2011scenes steps of building maintenance, which added a human component to how campus operations work,\u201d environmental engineering student Calina Leavy said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese perspectives show how the course deepens students\u2019 understanding of the systems that power campus \u2014 and empowers them to help shape improvements.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter the on\u2011site assessments, students conducted full ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Level 1 energy audits on each building and presented their findings at the end of the semester. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese reports are now supporting campus planning for: \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFuture building upgrades.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEnergy efficiency strategies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECost\u2011saving opportunities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELong\u2011term return on investment (ROI) calculations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShivangi Ranjan and Calina Levy, both second year students, will present their work during this week\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sdg-week\/\u0022\u003ESustainable Development Goals calendar of events\u003C\/a\u003E on Thursday from 1 \u2013 1:30 p.m. at the Kendeda Building For Sustainable Design, Room 118. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/WN_O8eOdtz7RPGrJ-mOiz14yQ#\/registration\u0022\u003EVirtual attendance\u003C\/a\u003E is available. For these students, their work doesn\u2019t end in the classroom. Their recommendations are helping to guide real institutional decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Solutions VIP course demonstrates the power of experiential learning: Students gain industry\u2011relevant skills while directly influencing how Georgia Tech advances its sustainability goals. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents are shaping how campus uses energy by participating in a hands-on, project-based course.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Students are shaping how campus uses energy by participating in a hands-on, project-based course."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-02-27 19:19:01","changed_gmt":"2026-03-04 16:25:48","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679501":{"id":"679501","type":"image","title":"P1000288.JPG","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudent participants in the Energy Solutions VIP course.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772483594","gmt_created":"2026-03-02 20:33:14","changed":"1772483594","gmt_changed":"2026-03-02 20:33:14","alt":"Student participants in the Energy Solutions VIP course.","file":{"fid":"263670","name":"P1000288.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/02\/P1000288.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/02\/P1000288.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4107640,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/02\/P1000288.JPG?itok=VFtj9idg"}}},"media_ids":["679501"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"190615","name":"Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program"},{"id":"192081","name":"office of sustainability"},{"id":"168693","name":"campus sustainability"},{"id":"191427","name":"Jennifer Chirico"},{"id":"194949","name":"Jairo Garcia"},{"id":"194950","name":"energy audits"},{"id":"194097","name":"IS News"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003ECathy Brim\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Cathy.brim@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687898":{"#nid":"687898","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Yuanzhi Tang Named Executive Director of the Strategic Energy Institute","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has appointed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E as executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), effective Feb. 1.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang will lead the strategic vision, interdisciplinary research efforts, and internal and external partnerships at SEI, strengthening connections across Georgia Tech\u2019s Colleges, Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI), the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), and external partners to advance energy-related initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFounded in 2004, SEI is one of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/interdisciplinary-research-institutes\u0022\u003EIRIs\u003C\/a\u003E and serves as a campuswide hub for energy research, education, and engagement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is the Georgia Power Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E. Her research and leadership focus on advancing secure, circular, and sustainable energy systems by integrating Earth, environmental, biological, materials, and sustainability sciences and innovations. She previously served as an initiative lead on critical minerals and sustainable resources at SEI as well as the associate director for interdisciplinary research at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustainablesystems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBrook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cProfessor Tang brings a strong record of research impact, leadership of complex initiatives, and a collaborative approach that will help elevate Georgia Tech\u2019s energy research enterprise,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/julia-kubanek-0\u0022\u003EJulia Kubanek\u003C\/a\u003E, vice president for Interdisciplinary Research at Georgia Tech. \u201cShe brings deep expertise in fundamental Earth and environmental science, including water, soil, and energy research, while also leading state and regional partnerships in emerging, applied areas such as critical minerals. Most importantly, she is community-minded with excellent listening and consensus-building skills.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs executive director, Tang will develop and communicate a unifying vision to advance interdisciplinary energy research and strategic thought leadership at Georgia Tech, integrating expertise across engineering, sciences, computing, business, design, economics, policy, and the humanities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang is also the founding director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/minerals.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Critical Mineral Solutions\u003C\/a\u003E and leads a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gems.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Emultidisciplinary coalition\u003C\/a\u003E spanning three University System of Georgia institutions. The coalition connects research, industry, and policy to build Georgia\u2019s critical minerals innovation ecosystem, while driving resource advancement, workforce development, and economic impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0027m honored to serve as the executive director of SEI. Georgia Tech\u2019s energy research and the people behind it have always inspired me. I\u2019m eager to listen, learn, and work alongside our community,\u201d said Tang. \u201cSEI connects research excellence with real-world impact, and I look forward to partnering across campus, industry, government, and communities to translate breakthrough ideas into solutions that strengthen energy security, reliability, and affordability.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Strategic Energy Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) serves as a system integrator for more than 1,000 Georgia Tech researchers working across the entire energy value chain. SEI brings together expertise to address complex energy challenges, from commercializing scalable technologies to informing long-term energy strategy and policy. Through research, education, community building, resource development, and thought leadership, SEI mobilizes Georgia Tech\u2019s collective strengths to advance reliable, affordable, and lower-carbon energy solutions for a growing global demand.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has appointed Yuanzhi Tang as executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI), effective Feb. 1.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang will lead the strategic vision, interdisciplinary research efforts, and internal and external partnerships at SEI, strengthening connections across Georgia Tech\u2019s Colleges, Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI), the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), and external partners to advance energy-related initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech has appointed Yuanzhi Tang as executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute (SEI), effective Feb. 1."}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-02-02 16:53:07","changed_gmt":"2026-03-04 00:13:05","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679151":{"id":"679151","type":"image","title":"Yuanzhi Tang","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770048693","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 16:11:33","changed":"1770048784","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 16:13:04","alt":"Yuanzhi Tang","file":{"fid":"263274","name":"Yuanzhi-Tang-pic2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1451744,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/Yuanzhi-Tang-pic2.jpg?itok=r5N6d_LB"}}},"media_ids":["679151"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPriya Devarajan\u003C\/a\u003E || Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688539":{"#nid":"688539","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Five Georgia Tech Faculty Named to NAI Senior Members Class of 2026 ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFive faculty members from\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;have been elected as\u0026nbsp;senior\u0026nbsp;members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).\u0026nbsp;As members, they are recognized as distinguished academic inventors with a strong record of patenting technologies, licensing IP, and commercializing their research. Their innovations have made, or have the potential to make, meaningful impacts on society.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cThe election of our faculty members to this prestigious association is a powerful affirmation of the innovative research happening at Georgia Tech,\u201d said Raghupathy \u201cSiva\u201d Sivakumar, chief commercialization officer at Georgia Tech. \u201cTheir work to take research to market reflects the growing importance of invention in addressing society\u2019s most complex challenges. This recognition signals the strength of the commercialization ecosystem at Georgia Tech to advance impactful research, encourage innovation, and prepare the next generation of inventors.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 2026 Georgia Tech NAI\u0026nbsp;senior\u0026nbsp;members are:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJason David Azoulay\u003C\/strong\u003E, associate professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering School and School of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJaydev Prataprai Desai,\u003C\/strong\u003E professor and cardiovascular biomedical engineering distinguished chair, Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDavid Frost\u003C\/strong\u003E, Elizabeth and Bill Higginbotham Professor and Regents\u2019 Entrepreneur,\u0026nbsp;School of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChandra Raman\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;Dunn Family Professor of Physics, School of Physics\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAaron Young\u003C\/strong\u003E, associate professor, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/jason-azoulay\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJason David Azoulay\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAzoulay is recognized for pioneering new classes of functional materials through innovative polymer synthesis, heterocycle chemistry, and polymerization reactions. His work spans electronic, photonic, and quantum materials, device fabrication, and chemical sensing for environmental monitoring. He has\u0026nbsp;demonstrated\u0026nbsp;new classes of organic semiconductors with infrared functionality and holds nine issued U.S. patents. Azoulay is the Georgia Research Alliance Vasser-Woolley Distinguished Investigator and holds a joint appointment in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bio\/jaydev-p-desai\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJaydev\u0026nbsp;Prataprai\u0026nbsp;Desai\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDesai is recognized for advancing medical robotics and translational biomedical innovation with inventions spanning robotically steerable guidewires for endovascular interventions, minimally invasive surgical tools, MEMS sensors for cancer diagnosis, and rehabilitation robotics for people with motor impairments. He is the founding\u0026nbsp;editor-in-chief of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EJournal of Medical Robotics Research\u003C\/em\u003E, has authored more than 225 peer-reviewed publications, and serves as the\u0026nbsp;Director of Georgia Center for Medical Robotics at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;Desai holds 15 U.S. and International patents.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/j-david-frost\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDavid\u0026nbsp;Frost\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrost\u0026nbsp;has built a career at the intersection of civil engineering research\u0026nbsp;and entrepreneurship. A leader in the study of natural and human-made disasters and their impacts on infrastructure, he has founded two Georgia Tech-based software companies:\u0026nbsp;Dataforensics, which offers tools for subsurface data collection and infrastructure project management, and Filio,\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;AI-powered mobile platform\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;supports visual asset management in construction and post-disaster reconnaissance. In 2023, Frost was named a Regents\u2019 Entrepreneur by the University System of Georgia\u2019s Board of Regents, a designation reserved for tenured faculty who have successfully taken their research into a commercial setting.\u0026nbsp;He holds four U.S. patents.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/chandra-raman\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChandra Raman\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERaman\u0026nbsp;is a physicist, inventor, and technology entrepreneur whose research on ultracold atoms is enabling a new generation of ultraprecise quantum sensing devices. He is the co-inventor of chip-scale atomic beam technology \u2014 a breakthrough that makes it possible to miniaturize quantum sensors for navigation and timing applications in environments where GPS fails, with uses spanning autonomous vehicles, aerospace, and national security. Raman holds six U.S. patents, three of which have been issued and two licensed. To bring his inventions to market, he founded 8Seven8 Inc., Georgia\u2019s first quantum hardware company. He is a\u0026nbsp;fellow of the American Physical Society and an advisor to national and space-based quantum initiatives.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/young\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAaron Young\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYoung directs the Exoskeleton and Prosthetic Intelligent Controls Lab, where he develops robotic exoskeletons and intelligent control systems to improve walking function and physical capability for people with mobility impairments and industrial safety applications. His research has been supported by major federal grants from the National Institutes of Health, and he holds three U.S. patents. Young works with Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i\u0026nbsp;to advance promising technologies toward real-world adoption.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Commercialization\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;Office of Commercialization is\u0026nbsp;the nexus of research commercialization and entrepreneurship at Georgia Tech,\u0026nbsp;bringing\u0026nbsp;leading-edge research\u0026nbsp;and innovation to market.\u0026nbsp;It\u0026nbsp;comprises\u0026nbsp;six\u0026nbsp;key units\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;ATDC,\u0026nbsp;CREATE-X,\u0026nbsp;VentureLab,\u0026nbsp;Quadrant-i,\u0026nbsp;Technology Licensing, and Velocity\u0026nbsp;Startups \u2014\u0026nbsp;that empower students and faculty to launch startups, manage intellectual property, and transform research ideas into positive societal impact. Learn more at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/commercialization.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecommercialization.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the National Academy of Inventors\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe National Academy of Inventors is a member organization\u0026nbsp;comprising\u0026nbsp;U.S. and international universities, and governmental and nonprofit research institutes, with over 4,000 individual inventor members and fellows spanning more than 250 institutions worldwide. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, and translate the inventions of its members to\u0026nbsp;benefit\u0026nbsp;society.\u202fLearn more at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/academyofinventors.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eacademyofinventors.org\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe professors have been\u0026nbsp;recognized for patenting and commercializing technologies with real-world impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The professors have been recognized for patenting and commercializing technologies with real-world impact. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-02-26 12:21:15","changed_gmt":"2026-03-03 22:20:24","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679445":{"id":"679445","type":"image","title":"nai.jpg.png","body":null,"created":"1772112951","gmt_created":"2026-02-26 13:35:51","changed":"1772112951","gmt_changed":"2026-02-26 13:35:51","alt":"Five professors named senior members of NAI. ","file":{"fid":"263609","name":"nai.jpg.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/26\/nai.jpg.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/26\/nai.jpg.png","mime":"image\/png","size":910902,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/26\/nai.jpg.png?itok=02M_s5UD"}}},"media_ids":["679445"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/academyofinventors.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-Senior-Member-List.pdf","title":"2026 Class of NAI Senior Members (pdf)"}],"groups":[{"id":"660356","name":" Technology Licensing Group"},{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688641":{"#nid":"688641","#data":{"type":"news","title":"State to Invest $88M in New Georgia Tech Aerospace Building ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is set to advance one of its most significant academic and research infrastructure projects in recent years following Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp\u2019s release of the amended budget for the current fiscal year. The budget includes $88 million for the design and construction of a new aerospace engineering building.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe investment represents a major step forward for both the Institute and the state of Georgia, reinforcing the state\u2019s position as a national leader in aerospace innovation, workforce development, and economic growth.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/building-future-aerospace-engineering\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAerospace Engineering Building\u003C\/a\u003E will serve as the home of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, which is ranked No. 1 among public institutions and No. 2 overall by U.S. News \u0026amp; World Report. The building will feature advanced laboratories; dedicated space for flight research and propulsion systems; expanded instructional studios; and new collaborative areas for students, faculty, industry partners, and interdisciplinary research teams.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia\u2019s aerospace sector is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the nation, and it is expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2040. Companies range from major global manufacturers to startups choosing to locate and expand their operations in the region. The industry employs tens of thousands of Georgians and supports critical areas such as aviation, defense, spaceflight, and advanced manufacturing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPresident \u00c1ngel Cabrera expressed gratitude for the state\u2019s support and emphasized the impact of the investment on the Institute and Georgia\u2019s long-term economic competitiveness.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are profoundly grateful to Gov. Kemp, Lt. Gov. Jones, Speaker Burns, the State House of Representatives, and the State Senate for their continued confidence in Georgia Tech and what we do to keep our state competitive,\u201d said \u00c1ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. \u201cThis investment will help us create world-class facilities to drive innovation and develop the workforce that Georgia needs to stay at the forefront of the aerospace industry.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Delta Air Lines Foundation has also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/25\/delta-air-lines-foundation-makes-5m-commitment-new-aerospace-engineering-building\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecommitted $5 million to the project\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech enrolls more than 2,300 students in aerospace engineering and leads $54.5 million in annual aerospace\u2011related research activity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe new facility will fundamentally reshape how we conduct research and educate our students,\u201d said Mitchell Walker, William R.T. Oakes Jr. School Chair in the Guggenheim School. \u201cNext-generation research spaces combined with hands-on learning environments and modern classrooms will enable work our current footprint can\u2019t support. This investment\u0026nbsp;propels our initiatives forward, sustains our leadership across all aerospace disciplines, and expands our industry collaboration.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/building-future-aerospace-engineering\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELearn more about the future building\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn $88 million state investment will propel building plans and advance Georgia\u2019s growing aerospace sector.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"An $88 million state investment will propel building plans and advance Georgia\u2019s growing aerospace sector. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-03 18:15:59","changed_gmt":"2026-03-03 22:14:10","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679512":{"id":"679512","type":"image","title":"Gov. Brian Kemp signs the amended FY26 budget on March 3.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGov. Brian Kemp signs the amended FY26 budget on March 3.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772575999","gmt_created":"2026-03-03 22:13:19","changed":"1772575999","gmt_changed":"2026-03-03 22:13:19","alt":"Gov. Brian Kemp signs the amended FY26 budget on March 3.","file":{"fid":"263684","name":"IMG_9787.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/IMG_9787.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/IMG_9787.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1422396,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/03\/IMG_9787.jpg?itok=iw2HYAAe"}},"679508":{"id":"679508","type":"image","title":"Gov. Kemp Signs the Amended FY26 Budget on March 3","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGov. Kemp Signs the Amended FY26 Budget on March 3, which includes $88.2 million for a new Aerospace Engineering Building for Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772561646","gmt_created":"2026-03-03 18:14:06","changed":"1772561646","gmt_changed":"2026-03-03 18:14:06","alt":"Gov. Kemp Signs the Amended FY26 Budget on March 3","file":{"fid":"263680","name":"Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-12.54.33-PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-12.54.33-PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-12.54.33-PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2338889,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-12.54.33-PM.png?itok=HtlqyRPV"}},"679505":{"id":"679505","type":"image","title":"Aerospace Engineering professor Adam Steinberg works with a student in the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAerospace Engineering professor Adam Steinberg works with a student in the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772558504","gmt_created":"2026-03-03 17:21:44","changed":"1772558926","gmt_changed":"2026-03-03 17:28:46","alt":"Aerospace Engineering professor Adam Steinberg works with a student in the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory.","file":{"fid":"263677","name":"_MG_5855.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/_MG_5855.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/_MG_5855.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1511499,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/03\/_MG_5855.jpg?itok=h1TmmAjI"}}},"media_ids":["679512","679508","679505"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/building-future-aerospace-engineering","title":"Building the Future of Aerospace Engineering"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/25\/delta-air-lines-foundation-makes-5m-commitment-new-aerospace-engineering-building","title":" The Delta Air Lines Foundation Makes $5M Commitment for New Aerospace Engineering Building "},{"url":"https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/","title":"Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/new-space-startups-take-georgia-tech\u00a0","title":"New Space Startups Take Off at Georgia Tech"}],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:media@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emedia@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688614":{"#nid":"688614","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Alumnus\u2019 Commitment Establishes Tony Kepano Joint Center for Real Estate","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is launching the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kepanocenter.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ETony Kepano Joint Center for Real Estate\u003C\/a\u003E, a collaborative hub that will elevate real estate education, industry engagement, and alumni involvement across campus. The center is being made possible through a significant commitment from accomplished real estate leader Tony Kepano, who graduated from Georgia Tech in 1986 with a degree in industrial management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe center will bring together the strengths of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EScheller College of Business\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/design.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Design\u2019\u003C\/a\u003Es \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Building Construction\u003C\/a\u003E, serving as the Institute\u2019s primary platform for preparing students to pursue careers in the real estate industry. The center is a priority for the leaders of the two Colleges: Anuj Mehrotra, dean of the Scheller College and Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Chair, and Ellen Bassett, dean of the College of Design and John Portman Chair. Designed to support both undergraduate and graduate students, the center will provide academic support, professional development opportunities, academic research, and deeper connections with industry partners.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKepano credits the lessons he learned at Georgia Tech with profoundly influencing his life and career.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI would not be where I am without my Tech experience,\u201d said Kepano. As an out-of-state football and track-and-field student-athlete, he carried a full academic load while working night shifts at Delta Air Lines. The discipline, perseverance, and problem-solving mindset he honed at Tech laid the foundation for his successful four-decade career in commercial real estate. Today, Kepano serves as vice chairman at CBRE\u2019s Industrial and Logistics Advisory \u0026amp; Transaction Services.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis latest commitment builds upon Kepano\u2019s previous philanthropy directed to Georgia Tech, including support for scholarships and fellowships for business students and for athletics. He also provides volunteer leadership to his alma mater and currently serves on the Georgia Tech Foundation Board of Trustees and Scheller College Advisory Board.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKepano sees the center\u2019s interdisciplinary model, which integrates business, design, architecture, city planning, and building construction, as uniquely powerful. Students, he said, will graduate with a \u201c360\u2011degree understanding of development\u201d and a significant advantage in the field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy vision is for Georgia Tech to become one of the top thought leaders in commercial real estate, producing students who are uniquely qualified, prepared, and capable of driving the next wave of innovation in the industry,\u201d said Kepano. \u201cI hope that 10 or 20 years from now, we can look back at all the people this program has influenced, and how they\u2019ve gone out and impacted their environments and communities in a positive way.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith a focus on offering students a pathway into one of the state\u2019s most dynamic fields, the center will serve as a bridge between academic study and real-world practice.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFunding from Kepano\u2019s commitment will support a wide range of activities, including student programming and collaboration, faculty and industry outreach, operational needs, technology, and conference participation. His support will allow Georgia Tech to respond nimbly to emerging opportunities in the real estate sector.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt Georgia Tech, we have a broad base of offerings that are related and connected to real estate. That gives us a competitive edge in providing a well\u2011rounded education and a portfolio of courses and activities that most universities can\u2019t offer. The center brings all of this together \u2014 engineering, design, construction, business \u2014 so students can experience the full range of real estate opportunities across the Institute,\u201d said Rick Porter, director of the College of Design\u2019s Master of Real Estate Development program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding opportunities for students interested in real estate, the center aligns with Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment to preparing leaders who can shape the built environment and the business landscape surrounding it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJonathan Clarke, senior associate dean for strategic initiatives at Scheller College, said, \u201cThe future of real estate will be shaped by rapid advances in technology and innovation. Success in this evolving industry will require an integrated understanding of finance, design, and technology. The Tony Kepano Joint Center for Real Estate will play a vital role in preparing students with this multidisciplinary foundation so they\u2019re ready to lead where real estate is headed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKepano\u2019s investment is included in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/transformingtomorrow.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETransforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The $2 billion comprehensive campaign, running through 2027, is\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ea generational effort to make a lasting impact across campus, providing essential resources for Georgia Tech students, faculty, and programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is launching the Tony Kepano Joint Center for Real Estate, a collaborative hub that will elevate real estate education, industry engagement, and alumni involvement across campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is launching the Tony Kepano Joint Center for Real Estate, a collaborative hub that will elevate real estate education, industry engagement, and alumni involvement across campus. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-03-02 16:25:32","changed_gmt":"2026-03-03 00:47:47","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679485":{"id":"679485","type":"image","title":"Tony Kepano","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETony Kepano\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772470564","gmt_created":"2026-03-02 16:56:04","changed":"1772470564","gmt_changed":"2026-03-02 16:56:04","alt":"Tony Kepano","file":{"fid":"263654","name":"tonykepano-EDIT2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/02\/tonykepano-EDIT2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/02\/tonykepano-EDIT2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":13601648,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/02\/tonykepano-EDIT2.jpg?itok=ryexmuQz"}}},"media_ids":["679485"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/kepanocenter.gatech.edu\/","title":"Tony Kepano Joint Center for Real Estate"}],"groups":[{"id":"1221","name":"College of Design"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1262","name":"Office of Development"},{"id":"1274","name":"Scheller College of Business"},{"id":"1223","name":"School of Building Construction"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"168831","name":"College of Design"},{"id":"167089","name":"Scheller College of Business"},{"id":"506","name":"alumni"},{"id":"2096","name":"philanthropy"},{"id":"4097","name":"real estate"},{"id":"1461","name":"Building Construction"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:anne.stanford@dev.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAnne Stanford\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003EOffice of Development\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688608":{"#nid":"688608","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Promoting the Safety and Welfare of Minors on Campus","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is estimated that, on an annual basis, more than 33,000 minors, age 17 and under, attend programs sponsored by the Institute or conducted on campus, and a special duty of care and supervision is required to protect Georgia Tech\u2019s youngest learners. To help support a safe and engaging environment for all who participate, volunteer, or work in these youth programs, the University System of Georgia and Georgia Tech require that all programs serving minors be registered at Georgia Tech\u2019s Youth Programs website, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/youthprograms.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eyouthprograms.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E. This registration, along with required safety protocols outlined in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.policylibrary.gatech.edu\/youth-programs-policy\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EYouth Programs Policy\u003C\/a\u003E, helps mitigate risk and support everyone involved in working with minors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYouth programs are vital to campus,\u201d says Jordan Baxter, senior compliance officer in the Office of Ethics and Compliance. \u201cI admire the dedication that Georgia Tech faculty and staff put in to showcase the Institute and inspire the next generation of Yellow Jackets.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYouth programs include internships with high school students, student organization outreach activities, summer camps, mentoring and tutoring in local schools, and more. Campus and lab tours, as well as school field trips to the Georgia Tech campus, are generally not considered youth programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrograms are required to register every calendar year, at least 30 days in advance of the program start date. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of programming. By registering, programs that work with minors will proactively receive information on the resources and policies developed for the protection of minors and the program staff.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/youthprograms.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EVisit Youth Programs\u003C\/a\u003E to learn more and register your program. Questions may be sent directly to Jordan Baxter at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jordanb@gatech.edu\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ejordanb@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIt is estimated that, on an annual basis, more than 33,000 minors, age 17 and under, attend programs sponsored by the Institute or conducted on campus, and a special duty of care and supervision is required to protect Georgia Tech\u2019s youngest learners.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A special duty of care and supervision is required to protect Tech\u2019s youngest learners."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2026-03-02 14:54:29","changed_gmt":"2026-03-02 15:03:37","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679480":{"id":"679480","type":"image","title":"YpPhoto.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1772463556","gmt_created":"2026-03-02 14:59:16","changed":"1772463556","gmt_changed":"2026-03-02 14:59:16","alt":"Two young leaners in a robotic lab.","file":{"fid":"263649","name":"YpPhoto.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/02\/YpPhoto.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/02\/YpPhoto.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8216759,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/02\/YpPhoto.jpeg?itok=r1sofNRk"}}},"media_ids":["679480"],"groups":[{"id":"652096","name":"Ethics and Compliance"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"173886","name":"youth programs"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003EJordan Baxter\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Compliance Officer for Youth Programs\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EOffice of Ethics and Compliance\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jordanb@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688543":{"#nid":"688543","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Road Paving Work Planned for Bobby Dodd Way and Brittain Drive","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs construction of the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center enters its final stages, road paving improvements on Bobby Dodd Way and Brittain Drive are expected to begin Monday, March 2, and continue through Friday, March 6. Timing of this work is contingent on weather conditions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESections of these roads will be closed during the paving project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe work on Bobby Dodd Way will take place between Techwood Drive and Brittain Drive. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOn Brittain Drive, paving will occur from the Peters Parking Deck entrance down to Bobby Dodd Way.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe attached map highlights the areas affected.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThank you for your patience as we enhance the road surfaces in these key campus areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs the construction of the Student Athlete Performance Center enters its final stages, road paving improvements around the area are expected to begin on March 2.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As the construction of the Student Athlete Performance Center enters its final stages, road paving improvements are planned for early March."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-02-26 16:35:40","changed_gmt":"2026-02-27 17:37:24","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679456":{"id":"679456","type":"image","title":"2026-Road-Closure-Bobby-Dodd-Paving_Page_2.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMap indicating road closures for Bobby Dodd Way and Brittain Drive March 2 through 6. Dependent upon weather.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772126965","gmt_created":"2026-02-26 17:29:25","changed":"1772126965","gmt_changed":"2026-02-26 17:29:25","alt":"Image of map indicating road closures for Bobby Dodd Way and Brittain Drive March 2 - 6","file":{"fid":"263620","name":"2026-Road-Closure-Bobby-Dodd-Paving_Page_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/26\/2026-Road-Closure-Bobby-Dodd-Paving_Page_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/26\/2026-Road-Closure-Bobby-Dodd-Paving_Page_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":178820,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/26\/2026-Road-Closure-Bobby-Dodd-Paving_Page_2.jpg?itok=xv3-V1PP"}}},"media_ids":["679456"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"182121","name":"construction updates"},{"id":"13283","name":"Bobby Dodd Way"},{"id":"188429","name":"Brittain Drive"},{"id":"61411","name":"Campus Construction"}],"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:heather.hardie@facilities.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EHeather Hardie\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Construction Manager\u003Cbr\u003EPlanning, Design, and Construction\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["heather.hardie@facilities.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688282":{"#nid":"688282","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Launches Pilot Program to Support Rural Arts Organizations","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBeginning this March in Perry, Georgia, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/gain\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Arts Innovation Network (GAIN)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;will support arts\u2011related nonprofits and small businesses in\u0026nbsp;Perry, Houston County, and surrounding counties in Middle Georgia. The six\u2011month pilot is funded by a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.arts.gov\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENational Endowment for the Arts (NEA)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Our Town\u0026nbsp;grant and is the first EI\u00b2 program dedicated specifically to the arts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cArts organizations contribute so much to the vibrancy of a community,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Caley Landau, program manager for GAIN and marketing strategist at EI\u00b2. \u201cThey help create a sense of place and provide the \u2018something to do\u2019 that small cities and towns want to offer residents, new workers, and prospective businesses. Our hope is to enhance the arts and cultural ecosystem in Middle Georgia by providing training and technical assistance to the organizations that produce art in the region.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Rural Community Already Investing in Placemaking\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPerry was selected as the pilot location in part for its active downtown revitalization work and commitment to placemaking. Through the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.georgiacitiesfoundation.org\/placemaking\u0022\u003EGeorgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative\u003C\/a\u003E, Perry city staff partnered with EI\u00b2\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cedr.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Economic Development Research\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to develop strategies for arts\u2011based community development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWorking alongside the Georgia Tech team has been a wonderful experience,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Alicia Hartley, downtown manager for the City of Perry. \u201cWe hope that participants walk away from the cohort inspired and empowered to activate their organizations in creative and meaningful ways.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EListening First, Then Providing Targeted Support\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program will begin with a listening session to understand participating organizations\u2019 needs. EI\u00b2 will then design tailored workshops drawing from experts at Georgia Tech and beyond. Every other month, cohort members will meet for sessions on business practices, digital tools, operational efficiency, marketing, placemaking partnerships, and other areas that support long\u2011term sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThey sound like great ideas \u2014 murals, pop\u2011up exhibits, outdoor performances \u2014 but how do you really get down to the nuts and bolts of making them happen?\u201d Landau said. \u201cAnd how do you bring the right partners to the table? That\u2019s what we\u2019ll explore together.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Statewide Mission, Strengthened Through the Arts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs Georgia Tech\u2019s economic development arm, EI\u00b2 administers programs that support entrepreneurs, manufacturers, communities, and municipalities across the state and around the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGAIN represents an important part of EI\u00b2\u2019s comprehensive approach to economic development,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;David Bridges, vice president of EI\u00b2. \u201cIt gives us another way to create impact in Georgia by applying our expertise to serve arts organizations that are vital to Georgia communities.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJason Freeman, associate vice provost for Georgia Tech Arts, noted that the pilot aligns with the Institute\u2019s broader commitment to supporting arts, culture, and creativity statewide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThrough GAIN, I\u2019m excited to learn more about the arts ecosystem in Middle Georgia,\u201d Freeman said. \u201cThe lessons we learn will inform both statewide collaborations and new initiatives emerging through our\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arts.gatech.edu\/creative-quarter\u0022\u003ECreative Quarter\u003C\/a\u003E innovation district on campus.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProgram Funding and Support\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe pilot is funded through the NEA\u2019s\u0026nbsp;Our Town\u0026nbsp;program, which supports projects integrating arts, culture, and design into community development. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gaarts.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Council for the Arts\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;is partnering with EI\u00b2 on cohort recruitment, curriculum development, and arts\u2011based placemaking strategies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERecruitment has begun.\u0026nbsp;Arts nonprofits and arts\u2011based businesses in Middle Georgia may apply at\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/gain\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Einnovate.gatech.edu\/gain\/\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"NEA Our Town grant supports Middle Georgia initiative"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnterprise Innovation Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (EI\u00b2) is launching a new pilot program to help rural arts organizations strengthen operations, adopt new technologies, and deepen their role in local community and economic development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"NEA \u201cOur Town\u201d grant supports Middle Georgia initiative"}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2026-02-16 19:23:27","changed_gmt":"2026-02-27 14:01:22","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"PERRY, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679410":{"id":"679410","type":"image","title":"Perry Players","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EA production of the Perry Players, in Perry, Ga.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771954765","gmt_created":"2026-02-24 17:39:25","changed":"1771956406","gmt_changed":"2026-02-24 18:06:46","alt":"Theater group on stage.","file":{"fid":"263572","name":"600279566_1401542021982073_3327861092957966357_n.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/600279566_1401542021982073_3327861092957966357_n.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/600279566_1401542021982073_3327861092957966357_n.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":714495,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/24\/600279566_1401542021982073_3327861092957966357_n.jpg?itok=GY5ckgdk"}}},"media_ids":["679410"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"42941","name":"Art Research"},{"id":"194568","name":"Arts and Performance"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"42891","name":"Georgia Tech Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194917","name":"Georgia Arts Innovation Network"},{"id":"194918","name":"Caley Landau"},{"id":"3671","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"},{"id":"194919","name":"Middle Georgia"},{"id":"184294","name":"Center for Economic Development Research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193654","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMEDIA CONTACT\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EP\u00e9ralte Paul\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:peralte@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eperalte@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGAIN PROGRAM CONTACT\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECaley Landau\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:caley.landau@innovate.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ecaley.landau@innovate.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688536":{"#nid":"688536","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Plant Library Growing On Students","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWalking down the stairs in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, you might look up to discover a set of letters made out of construction paper. Backlit by blue and red light, it reads, \u201cPlant Library: Fridays 3:30 \u2013 4:30\u201d. This sign has caught the eye of many students, who walk inside to discover a bustling scene. Instead of books lining shelves, plants of all sorts are gathered in the windows, drinking in the sunlight. A group of students browses for a few moments before leaving with a plant of their own to nurture. The majority are gathered around a table, cutting up English ivy to propagate in recycled containers. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe plant library began as a collection of plants in a Clough Commons lab, but as of Fall 2025, it developed into a weekly event, inviting students to learn environmental concepts and spend the hour connecting with other students.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe have a lot of people who come through,\u201d said Liana Boop, senior lecturer in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and manager of the plant library. \u201cSome of them are taking a plant and leaving. Some of them want to talk about plants, but also a lot of people just really want to get their hands dirty.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach plant has a story behind it. Some come from students or faculty who find themselves unable to keep up with their own houseplant and hope it can find a home somewhere else. Others come from around Tech\u2019s campus as part of invasive species removal. And, at times, they\u2019ve come from the Atlanta Botanical Garden.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking with the Botanical Garden as they took down their holiday display, Boop filled a car with white orchids and commercial-grade pots. At the plant library, the orchids were gone almost instantly. Seeing the enthusiasm for the program, Boop expanded plant library access to any interested students.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne Friday, the plant library rooted propagations of English ivy that Students Organizing for Sustainability had collected from around The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. They put the plant cuttings in jars of water, hoping they would multiply for students to take home. It had become more than just yard work. It was a space to meet new people and, even if they were new to propagation, at least they weren\u2019t the only ones.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want this to be a space for people to come in and relax and get a plant, or not get a plant, but just, you know, get some dirt under their fingernails and have fun. And I think it\u2019s a nice way to end the week,\u201d Boop said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents entered with the stresses of midterms and college life, but over the course of an hour, that began to fade. Those who entered the library out of curiosity began exploring new environmental concepts and plant propagation and discussing them with fellow newcomers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the plant library is associated with the lab for EAS1600, any student who goes practices principles of environmental science, through the recycled pasta jars and rescuing a plant that may have been left to die. Even beyond that, each student has helped a plant to grow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoop explained her approach. \u201cI\u0027m taking my Friday afternoon. I could be sitting on my couch watching Netflix,\u201d she said, but \u201cI\u0027m going to plant some plants. I don\u0027t know who they\u0027re going to go to, but think about how many individual cuttings your hands touched. That\u0027s a lot of plants, right? And so, when we keep coming back, when we keep taking care of them \u2014 your actions matter, and they can put a smile on somebody\u0027s face.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The Plant Library enables the campus community to learn environmental concepts, unwind, and help new plants take root. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Plant Library enables the campus community to learn environmental concepts, unwind, and help new plants take root.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Plant Library enables the campus community to learn environmental concepts, unwind, and help new plants take root. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-02-25 19:57:41","changed_gmt":"2026-02-27 13:44:34","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679439":{"id":"679439","type":"image","title":"Students participate in the Plant Library. ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents participate in the Plant Library, held in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons at Georgia Tech. Photo by Allison Carter.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772051848","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 20:37:28","changed":"1772051848","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 20:37:28","alt":"Students participate in the Plant Library","file":{"fid":"263602","name":"26-R10410-P93-006.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-006.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-006.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1645351,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-006.JPG?itok=TGOu_CIy"}},"679440":{"id":"679440","type":"image","title":"Plant Library Sign","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Plant Library sign in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772052248","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 20:44:08","changed":"1772052248","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 20:44:08","alt":"Plant Library Sign","file":{"fid":"263603","name":"26-R10410-P93-001.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-001.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-001.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1717143,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-001.JPG?itok=EVumAoy-"}},"679441":{"id":"679441","type":"image","title":"Students participate in the Plant Library.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents participate in the Plant Library.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772052309","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 20:45:09","changed":"1772052309","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 20:45:09","alt":"Students participate in the Plant Library.","file":{"fid":"263604","name":"26-R10410-P93-005.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-005.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-005.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1813950,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-005.JPG?itok=1Zk1Zvqp"}},"679442":{"id":"679442","type":"image","title":"Students participate in the Plant Library.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents participate in the Plant Library.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772052368","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 20:46:08","changed":"1772052368","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 20:46:08","alt":"Students participate in the Plant Library.","file":{"fid":"263605","name":"26-R10410-P93-002.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-002.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-002.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1698605,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/26-R10410-P93-002.JPG?itok=ke9FNL4e"}}},"media_ids":["679439","679440","679441","679442"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2985","name":"plants"},{"id":"8390","name":"Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:stucomm@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EEllie Jenkins\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688502":{"#nid":"688502","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Understanding the Data Center Building Boom ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWritten by: Anne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs artificial intelligence (AI) drives explosive growth in data centers, communities across the U.S. are facing rising electricity costs, new industrial development, and mounting strain on an aging power grid.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, several faculty members are approaching these sustainability challenges from different but complementary angles: examining how data center policy affects local communities, modeling how AI-driven demand reshapes regional energy systems, and building tools that help the public understand the tradeoffs embedded in grid planning. Together, their work highlights how better data, thoughtful policy, and public engagement can guide more resilient and equitable decisions in an AI-powered future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI\u2019s Hidden Footprint: How Data Centers Reshape Communities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAhmed Saeed studies the infrastructure most people never see. An assistant professor in the School of Computer Science and a Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) Faculty Fellow, Saeed focuses on how data centers \u2014 the backbone of modern AI \u2014 are built, operated, and regulated, and what their growth means for host communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cData centers are the infrastructure for our digital life, so more of them are necessary to keep doing what we\u2019re doing,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData center energy consumption could double or triple by 2028, accounting for up to 12% of U.S. electricity use, according to a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/escholarship.org\/uc\/item\/32d6m0d1\u0022\u003Ereport by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E. U.S. spending on data center construction jumped nearly 70% between May 2023 and May 2024, according to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/americanedgeproject.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Americas-AI-Surge-Powering-Growth-in-Every-State.pdf\u0022\u003EAmerican Edge Project\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia is an AI data center hub, ranked fourth globally, with $4.6 billion in AI-related venture capital invested across 368 deals, the American Edge Project reported. At a recent \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/sustainability-fellowship-supports-professors-data-center-research\u0022\u003Etown hall in DeKalb County, Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E, Saeed helped residents connect AI\u2019s promise to its local consequences. Training large AI models can require tens of thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs) running for days or weeks, driving an unprecedented wave of data center construction. AI-focused chips, he noted, can consume 10 to 14 times more power than traditional processors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat demand often shows up as pressure on local infrastructure. Communities are increasingly concerned about electricity and water use, grid upgrades, and who ultimately pays. In Virginia, Saeed pointed to a legal dispute in which consumer advocates warned that data centers could raise electricity bills by 5% in the short term and up to 50% over time, while utilities argued those investments were inevitable and could benefit customers in the long run.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnvironmental concerns add another layer. Saeed cited controversies over water use and backup diesel generators in states, including Georgia and Tennessee, alongside a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruling that tightened generator regulations. While diesel generators are clearly harmful, he cautioned that long-term, rigorous evidence linking data centers to regional health impacts remains limited.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaeed\u2019s research aims to reduce those impacts directly. By optimizing how workloads are scheduled across large server fleets, his team has demonstrated power savings of 4 \u2013 12%, a meaningful gain if U.S. data centers approach projected levels of up to 12% of national electricity use by 2028.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Saeed, data centers are akin to highways: essential to modern life, disruptive to nearby communities, and shaped by policy choices. The question, he argues, is not whether AI infrastructure should exist, but how transparently and fairly it is built.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEconomist Probes the Energy Costs of the AI Boom\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile headlines often frame AI as an energy crisis, Georgia Tech environmental and energy economist and BBISS Faculty Fellow Tony Harding is focused on measuring its real \u2014 and uneven \u2014 impacts. Harding, an assistant professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, uses economic modeling to examine how AI adoption affects energy use, emissions, and local communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.1088\/1748-9326\/ae0e3b\u0022\u003Erecent work\u003C\/a\u003E published in \u003Cem\u003EEnvironmental Research Letters\u003C\/em\u003E, Harding and his co-author analyzed how productivity gains from AI could influence national energy demand. Their findings suggest that, at a macro level, AI-related activity may increase annual U.S. energy use by about 0.03% and CO\u2082 emissions by roughly 0.02%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThose numbers are small in the context of the overall economy,\u201d Harding said. \u201cBut the impacts are highly uneven.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat unevenness is evident in where data centers are built. While Northern Virginia remains the country\u2019s top data center hub, with 343 operational data centers, states like Georgia, which currently has 94 operational data centers, are rapidly attracting facilities due to reliable power and favorable tax policies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHarding\u2019s latest research focuses on local effects, asking why data centers cluster in urban areas, how they influence housing markets, what happens to electricity prices, and whether they exacerbate water stress. Early evidence suggests large facilities can increase local electricity rates, contributing to public backlash and regulatory response. In Georgia, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psc.ga.gov\/site\/assets\/files\/8617\/media_advisory_data_centers_rule_1-23-2025.pdf\u0022\u003EPublic Service Commission\u003C\/a\u003E has begun requiring new, high power draw customers (like data centers) to cover more of the costs associated with grid expansion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHarding\u2019s goal is to give policymakers better evidence to design incentives and guardrails. \u201cTo manage these technologies responsibly,\u201d he said, \u201cwe need a clear picture of their intended and unintended consequences.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGamifying a Strained and Aging Power Grid\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDaniel Molzahn is tackling another side of the problem: how to modernize an aging power grid under growing demand. Electricity demand is expected to rise about 25% by 2030, driven by data centers, electric vehicles, and broadscale electrification. At the same time, much of the U.S. electricity grid is nearing the end of its lifespan, with many transformers being decades old.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo make these challenges tangible, Molzahn, an associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, developed a browser-based game with a group of students through Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vip.gatech.edu\/frm_display\/team-listings\/entry\/1303\/\u0022\u003EVertically Integrated Projects\u003C\/a\u003E program called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/currentcrisis.itch.io\/current-crisis\u0022\u003ECurrent Crisis\u003C\/a\u003E. Players take on the role of a utility decision-maker, balancing reliability, wildfire risk, renewable integration, and affordability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe game grew out of Molzahn\u2019s National Science Foundation CAREER award and reflects his belief that complex systems are best understood experientially. Its initial focus is wildfire resilience, modeling how grid infrastructure can both spark and suffer damage from fires.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut resilience comes at a cost. Burying power lines, for example, reduces wildfire risk but dramatically increases expenses. Players must confront the same tradeoffs utilities face: improve reliability or keep rates low.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMolzahn hopes the game will help students and the public grapple with the realities of planning future power systems. \u201cThese choices aren\u2019t abstract,\u201d he said. \u201cThey shape affordability, resilience, and our path toward a cleaner grid.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project now involves nearly 40 students from across campus, supported by Sustainability NEXT funding and a collaboration with Jessica Roberts, former BBISS Faculty Fellow and director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tiles.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ETechnology-Integrated Learning Environments (TILES) Lab\u003C\/a\u003E in the School of Interactive Computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs a learning scientist, I look at how to engage people with science and scientific data and get people having conversations they might not otherwise have,\u201d says Roberts, who hopes the seed grant helps the team determine first that they are going in the right direction and, second, how to broaden the impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne student, Stella Quinto Lima, a graduate research assistant in Human-Centered Computing, has made the game the focus of her doctoral thesis. Through the game, she wants players to notice their misconceptions about the power grid, energy use, and AI, and to use critical thinking to identify, question, and possibly undo those misconceptions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cI hope that we can really engage adults and help them see it\u2019s not black and white. The game is not only about power grids, but how AI affects the grid, how it affects our lives, and how it will impact our future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team plans to expand the game\u2019s features, use it in outreach programs, and analyze player decisions as a source of data to study energy-system decision-making.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to change the conversation about power and power grid stability, reliability, and sustainability, Roberts said, \u201cand find a way to get this message to a larger public.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs artificial intelligence (AI) drives explosive growth in data centers, communities across the U.S. are facing rising electricity costs, new industrial development, and mounting strain on an aging power grid.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Explosive data center growth requires research to inform policies which manage the building of this critical infrastructure."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2026-02-24 20:29:10","changed_gmt":"2026-02-25 16:43:42","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679428":{"id":"679428","type":"image","title":"Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized","body":null,"created":"1772037433","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 16:37:13","changed":"1772037615","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 16:40:15","alt":"Three men\u0027s individual portrait-style photos are arranged side by side, each showing a person from the shoulders up. The individuals wear collared shirts and appear in different lighting settings, including a dark background, a neutral studio backdrop, and a bright white background.","file":{"fid":"263591","name":"Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":872348,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/Giarusso_Saeed_Molzhan_Headshots_Collage_Sized.jpg?itok=TPizgOZr"}}},"media_ids":["679428"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"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 Program Manager, BBISS\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688494":{"#nid":"688494","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Sustainable Development Goals Week Highlights Commitment to Advancing Sustainability","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sdg-week\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESustainable Development Goals Action and Awareness Week\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E brings a variety of sustainable development-focused activities to campus the week of March 2. Coordinated by the Office of Sustainability (OOS), this annual week of engagement and learning helps showcase the ways that Georgia Tech is advancing the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/goals\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (SDGs) through teaching, research, operations, and partnerships.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe UN General Assembly adopted the SDGs in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They address the world\u2019s most monumental challenges, including poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and peace and justice. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKey events this year include:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA Sustainable Tasting and Zero Waste Exhibit hosted by OOS and Campus Services, featuring sustainable food bites from Tech Dining and Tech Catering and displays of low-waste event practices and tips.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA Climate Teach-In hosted by the Community of Practice on Transformative Teaching With the SDGs, featuring speakers from the Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Atlanta, and Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEngaging Students Through Authentic, Real-World Teaching, an instructor workshop hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Community of Practice on Transformative Teaching With the SDGs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGT Student Energy Audits, hosted by students enrolled in a VIP Energy Solutions course focused on sustainable campus operations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral additional events will be hosted by campus units and student organizations. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sdg-week\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EView a full listing of the week\u2019s events for details and registration (only required for some events)\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESDG Action and Awareness Week is part of a larger global effort through the University Global Coalition (UGC), which Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera helped found. The UGC comprises higher education leaders from around the world who work to advance the SDGs through system change and global partnerships.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESDG Action and Awareness Week is an annual event occurring in the first week of March. To collaborate next year, contact the Office of Sustainability at sustain@gatech.edu.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe campus community is invited to participate in a week of events that increase awareness and actions to advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The campus community is invited to participate in a week of events that increase awareness and actions to advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-02-24 17:26:29","changed_gmt":"2026-02-25 16:38:30","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679426":{"id":"679426","type":"image","title":"SDGWeekPosterSession3.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents, faculty, and research faculty share their sustainable development projects at an SDG poster session during 2025\u0027s SDG Week.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772036713","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 16:25:13","changed":"1772036713","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 16:25:13","alt":"Image of students, faculty, and research faculty at a poster session for SDG Week 2025.","file":{"fid":"263589","name":"SDGWeekPosterSession3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/SDGWeekPosterSession3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/SDGWeekPosterSession3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4735275,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/SDGWeekPosterSession3.jpg?itok=uC0KD-pQ"}},"679427":{"id":"679427","type":"image","title":"sdg_header_2024.PNG","body":"\u003Cp\u003EUN Sustainable Development Goals\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772037432","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 16:37:12","changed":"1772037432","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 16:37:12","alt":"UN SDG logo","file":{"fid":"263590","name":"sdg_header_2024.PNG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/sdg_header_2024.PNG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/sdg_header_2024.PNG","mime":"image\/png","size":25839,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/sdg_header_2024.PNG?itok=mj-BcUsc"}}},"media_ids":["679426","679427"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187156","name":"United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)"},{"id":"168693","name":"campus sustainability"},{"id":"194911","name":"sustainability hub"},{"id":"192081","name":"office of sustainability"},{"id":"193728","name":"I\u0026S News"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003EDrew Cutright\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDirector Sustainability Engagement\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOffice of Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Drew.cutright@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688499":{"#nid":"688499","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Delta Air Lines Foundation Makes $5M Commitment for New Aerospace Engineering Building","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Delta Air Lines Foundation has made a $5 million commitment to advance the construction of Georgia Tech\u2019s new Aerospace Engineering Building. The ambitious capital project will elevate one of the nation\u2019s top-ranked aerospace programs, fuel the state\u2019s economy, and accelerate innovation across the aviation industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/building-future-aerospace-engineering\u0022\u003EAerospace Engineering Building\u003C\/a\u003E will expand research capabilities in areas such as advanced aircraft design, propulsion, materials, cybersecurity, autonomy, and emerging technologies like hydrogen and eVTOL concepts. These efforts will help drive innovation benefiting the aerospace ecosystem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am deeply grateful to The Delta Air Lines Foundation for their support of this new world-class facility that will house one of the best aerospace engineering programs in the world,\u201d said \u00c1ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. \u201cTheir help and participation will be key to the development of the talent, research, and innovation that will secure our state\u2019s position as a global hub for aerospace technology.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new building will serve as the home for Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, which is ranked No. 1 among public institutions and No. 2 overall by U.S. News \u0026amp; World Report. Enrolling more than 2,300 students and leading $54.5 million in annual aerospace related research activity, the School is one of the largest and most influential aerospace engineering programs in the country.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt The Delta Air Lines Foundation, we are committed to supporting education to advance the future of aviation. Our collaboration with Georgia Tech reflects our belief in the impact of innovation and sustainable technologies. This investment will help equip students to explore new ideas, develop more efficient solutions, and contribute to a stronger, forward\u2011looking aerospace industry,\u201d said John Laughter, trustee of The Delta Air Lines Foundation and Georgia Tech graduate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Delta Air Lines Foundation\u2019s commitment aligns with Georgia Tech\u2019s goals to expand the aerospace engineering program, bolster the talent pipeline, and drive economic impact for Georgia and the Southeast.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMitchell Walker, William R.T. Oakes Jr. School Chair in the Guggenheim School, said,\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u201cThis commitment from The Delta Air Lines Foundation strengthens our ability to deliver a rigorous, hands-on aerospace engineering education through modern spaces for research, instruction, and collaboration. It will also convene leaders in aerospace technology to accelerate our work in sustainable aviation and the workforce development needed to achieve cleaner and more efficient flight.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis investment builds on the longstanding collaboration between The Delta Air Lines Foundation, Delta Air Lines, and Georgia Tech, supporting research, innovation, and workforce development that strengthens Georgia\u2019s economy and contributes to progress across the global aviation industry. Aligned with Georgia Tech\u2019s mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition, this significant commitment is included in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/transformingtomorrow.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETransforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and propelling its success. By supporting Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in aerospace education and research, The Delta Air Lines Foundation is helping catalyze the ideas, technologies, and talent that will shape the future of aviation in Georgia and beyond.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Delta Air Lines Foundation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Delta Air Lines Foundation is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1968 to enhance Delta\u2019s charitable giving. The Foundation is focused on the key areas of environment, equity,\u0026nbsp;education,\u0026nbsp;and entire wellness. In the past decade, the Foundation has awarded more than $150\u0026nbsp;million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the United States.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe ambitious capital project will elevate one of the nation\u2019s top-ranked aerospace programs, fuel the state\u2019s economy, and accelerate innovation across the aviation industry.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The ambitious capital project will elevate one of the nation\u2019s top-ranked aerospace programs, fuel the state\u2019s economy, and accelerate innovation across the aviation industry."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-02-25 12:52:29","changed_gmt":"2026-02-25 12:48:18","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679414":{"id":"679414","type":"image","title":"Proposed rendering of new Aerospace Engineering Building","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProposed rendering of new Aerospace Engineering Building, subject to change.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771960898","gmt_created":"2026-02-24 19:21:38","changed":"1771960898","gmt_changed":"2026-02-24 19:21:38","alt":"Proposed rendering of new Aerospace Engineering Building","file":{"fid":"263576","name":"_SW-Twilight-FINAL_QL_PS.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/_SW-Twilight-FINAL_QL_PS.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/_SW-Twilight-FINAL_QL_PS.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2071714,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/24\/_SW-Twilight-FINAL_QL_PS.jpg?itok=8biFMKKW"}}},"media_ids":["679414"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/building-future-aerospace-engineering","title":"Building the Future of Aerospace Engineering"}],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1262","name":"Office of Development"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"6317","name":"AE"},{"id":"2082","name":"aerospace engineering"},{"id":"351","name":"development"},{"id":"194752","name":"transforming tomorrow"},{"id":"2096","name":"philanthropy"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:anne.stanford@dev.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAnne Stanford\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003EOffice of Development\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688493":{"#nid":"688493","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Augusta Positioned to Become a Leader in Medical Device Entrepreneurship","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology and Augusta University have launched a collaborative effort to boost the city\u2019s medical device innovation ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Augusta region is already a major hub for health and life sciences, boasting five hospitals and the Medical College of Georgia, the nation\u2019s 13th oldest medical school and one of its largest.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, the advocacy nonprofit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.galifesciences.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Life Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E designated the region a BioReady Gold community. This ratings system recognizes its existing bioscience assets and its commitment to expanding infrastructure and commercialization, marking Augusta as a desired choice for biotech companies looking for suitable sites to expand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELeading the work at Georgia Tech are the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gamep.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership\u003C\/a\u003E (GaMEP) and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atdc.org\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Technology Development Center\u003C\/a\u003E (ATDC).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGaMEP is a program of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnterprise Innovation Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, Tech\u2019s chief economic development arm. It brings a\u0026nbsp;dedicated team with the unique skills required to help innovators clearly understand the requirements needed to bring medical devices to market.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen entrepreneurs gain insight into the regulatory and quality requirements early in development, they can make informed, strategic decisions that can significantly reduce both time and cost,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Sarah Jo Tucker, industry manager for GaMEP\u2019s medical device group. \u201cWe partner closely with innovators throughout the process and bring deep expertise in the regulatory requirements while they bring expertise in their technology. Together, we can move products efficiently and confidently from concept to commercialization.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EADTC, part of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commercialization.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EOffice of Commercialization\u003C\/a\u003E, is the state\u2019s premier technology incubator and the oldest university-based incubator in the country. ATDC provides guidance and resources for entrepreneurs and founders to successfully launch and scale their technology companies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince its founding in 1980, ATDC\u2019s startup graduates have attracted more than $6.2 billion in investment and generated over $14 billion in revenue in Georgia. Through the partnership with Augusta University, ATDC uses its expertise to serve\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in the medical device field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Medical innovation across the state of Georgia is critical for our health tech industries to thrive,\u201d said Chris Dickson, ATDC\u2019s startup catalyst in the Augusta region. \u201cWe identify investment-ready medical technology startups and provide the support needed while they are scaling their businesses.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA major hub for the life sciences, Augusta University is home to a wealth of researchers in the biomedical and related fields. This makes the institution ideally situated to help facilitate medical device commercialization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGuido Verbeck understands this dynamic firsthand. A\u0026nbsp;professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Augusta University, he is also an entrepreneur and medical device innovator.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAcademia is a fantastic platform for launching ideas, but there must be an understanding of how to bring a device to market,\u201d said Verbeck. \u201cPhysicians and practitioners who are also academics are solving problems in real time, but they often lack the resources and support to get their ideas to production and commercialization.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELynsey\u0026nbsp;Steinberg, director of innovation for Augusta University\u2019s strategic partnerships and economic development team, summed up collaboration\u2019s goal.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen we tap our depth of talent, innovation, and community collaboration, this region has what it takes to become a launchpad for medical device startups \u2014 a place where bold ideas find the purpose they need to succeed to solve real-world problems,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s GaMEP medical device commercialization team\u0026nbsp;and the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC)\u0026nbsp;are now working directly with Augusta researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to help move medical device ideas from concept to commercialization.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A partnership between Georgia Tech and Augusta University supports the effort ."}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2026-02-24 17:16:53","changed_gmt":"2026-02-24 17:25:03","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Augusta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679409":{"id":"679409","type":"image","title":"Downtown Augusta ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe city of Augusta is a major hub for health and life sciences, boasting five hospitals and the Medical College of Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771953448","gmt_created":"2026-02-24 17:17:28","changed":"1771953675","gmt_changed":"2026-02-24 17:21:15","alt":"Aerial view of downtown Augusta","file":{"fid":"263570","name":"AdobeStock_466386413.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/AdobeStock_466386413.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/AdobeStock_466386413.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":10707782,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/24\/AdobeStock_466386413.jpeg?itok=SgNSyEj_"}}},"media_ids":["679409"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"16331","name":"GaMEP"},{"id":"3671","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"},{"id":"4238","name":"atdc"},{"id":"2579","name":"commercialization"},{"id":"9535","name":"medical device"},{"id":"172575","name":"Augusta University"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"193654","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEve Tolpa\u003Cbr\u003Eeve.tolpa@innovate.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688485":{"#nid":"688485","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Major Geosynthetic Research Hub Moves to Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeosynthetics are a category of materials\u2014textiles, grids, membranes, composites, and more\u2014that are used in infrastructure projects like roads, retaining walls and landfills.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECivil Engineering Professor David Frost, the new president of the Geosynthetic Institute, said geosynthetic materials are an important technology for engineers working to design more resilient infrastructure to withstand the increasingly severe natural disasters of the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeosynthetics are a resilience maker,\u201d Frost said. \u201cWhether to enhance the strength, alter the hydraulic conductivity, limit the deformation or control various rate processes, geosynthetics inherently augment the engineering properties of natural geomaterials.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERead the rest of the article on the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/major-geosynthetic-research-hub-moves-georgia-tech\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) is relocating to Georgia Tech and bringing with it a new range of opportunities for students interested in this dynamic and growing field.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) is relocating to Georgia Tech and bringing with it a new range of opportunities for students interested in this dynamic and growing field."}],"uid":"35146","created_gmt":"2026-02-23 21:10:38","changed_gmt":"2026-02-23 21:20:00","author":"mweinman3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-23T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-23T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679401":{"id":"679401","type":"image","title":"FrostGSI.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor David Frost, the president of the Geosynthetic Institute, stands in front of the organization\u0027s new home on Means Street.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771881064","gmt_created":"2026-02-23 21:11:04","changed":"1771881064","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 21:11:04","alt":"A man standing in front of glass double doors with the Georgia Tech logo.","file":{"fid":"263558","name":"GSI1-Edit.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/23\/GSI1-Edit.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/23\/GSI1-Edit.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1816791,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/23\/GSI1-Edit.jpg?itok=2ah2bXIY"}}},"media_ids":["679401"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1253","name":"School of Civil and Envrionmental Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMelissa Fralick\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["melissa.fralick@ce.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688452":{"#nid":"688452","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Challenges and Opportunities of Cold Weather and Technology","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile Italy\u2019s 2026 Winter Olympics draw the world\u2019s attention to snow and ice, Georgia Tech researchers are also confronting cold at its most extreme.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome labs in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ECE) use liquid nitrogen and liquid helium to chill cryogenic test systems to as low as 4 Kelvins (K), or -452.47 degrees Fahrenheit (F), temperatures that rival the coldest regions of deep space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, materials and electronic devices stop behaving in familiar ways, which is exactly why ECE researchers use these extreme conditions to explore and\u0026nbsp;develop new semiconductor technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cElectronics are very temperature dependent,\u201d Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/john-d-cressler\u0022\u003EJohn Cressler\u003C\/a\u003E said, whose lab houses some of these cryogenic test systems. \u201cWhether you see it or not, every electronic you buy has a tested temperature spec associated with it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrent commercially sold devices, including most cell phones, are made to run between 32 F and 85 F. Researchers in ECE test across a far wider range, as they develop technology with extraterrestrial and quantum computing applications in mind.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther ECE teams work in natural extremes, carrying instruments into polar regions where cold creates challenges that no lab can fully replicate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust as cold pushes athletes in different ways, it guides ECE research down its own distinct paths.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/challenges-and-opportunities-technology-cold\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead the full story on the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u0027s website.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn labs chilled to 4 kelvins (-450 degrees!) and on expeditions to polar regions, Georgia Tech scientists are discovering how extreme cold simultaneously challenges and advances technology in computing, space exploration, and the interpretation of Earth\u2019s natural signals.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In labs chilled to 4 kelvins (-450 degrees!) and on expeditions to polar regions, Georgia Tech scientists are discovering how extreme cold simultaneously challenges and advances technology in computing, space exploration, and more."}],"uid":"36558","created_gmt":"2026-02-20 18:51:26","changed_gmt":"2026-02-20 19:43:10","author":"zwiniecki3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-20T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-20T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679385":{"id":"679385","type":"image","title":"cold-techs--1-.gif","body":null,"created":"1771613526","gmt_created":"2026-02-20 18:52:06","changed":"1771613526","gmt_changed":"2026-02-20 18:52:06","alt":"Tech in the Cold","file":{"fid":"263540","name":"cold-techs--1-.gif","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/20\/cold-techs--1-.gif","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/20\/cold-techs--1-.gif","mime":"image\/gif","size":23995589,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/20\/cold-techs--1-.gif?itok=4pbIyOsL"}}},"media_ids":["679385"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/challenges-and-opportunities-technology-cold","title":"Read the Full Story"}],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660370","name":"Space"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167686","name":"Semiconductors"},{"id":"1228","name":"memory"},{"id":"179829","name":"cold"},{"id":"623","name":"Technology"},{"id":"170841","name":"silicon-germanium"},{"id":"167146","name":"space"},{"id":"2868","name":"atmosphere"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EZachary Winiecki\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["zwiniecki3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688376":{"#nid":"688376","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Alumna Goes for Graphic Design Gold With Team USA","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPreparation and execution \u2014 two factors that can lead to gold medal performances by the athletes of Team USA in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Those same factors help Team USA\u2019s graphic designers, including Georgia Tech alumna McLain Broussard, to seamlessly share unforgettable moments from the Games with fans around the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom crafting the winter-themed design language for Team USA\u2019s social media feeds a year in advance to prepping graphics for the events still to come, Broussard and her team strive to have all the necessary elements at their fingertips so they\u2019re able to execute their vision for a gold medal moment or capture a historic performance as it plays out on the world stage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA former Georgia Tech cheerleader, Broussard found her passion for graphic design while helping to manage the team\u2019s social media account. She changed her major from computational media to literature, media, and communication, and when she stepped onto the field one Saturday and saw her design being worn by students in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field, she knew she\u2019d found her path.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I just remember seeing all of those shirts I designed and thinking that this is a feeling I\u2019m going to hold onto forever,\u201d she said. \u201cGeorgia Tech taught me so much about time management and about what drives me. It was at Tech that I realized I loved celebrating passion, and not just my own. I love working in sports because I get to share athletes\u2019 stories and make them accessible to everyone. With the Olympics, especially the Paralympics, I\u2019m so proud to elevate the hard work that these athletes do behind the scenes and share that with fans.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter graduating from Tech in 2020 and spending time with Georgia Tech Athletics as a postgraduate intern, Broussard spent a year with the University of Missouri football program before joining Team USA. She was hired as a full-time contractor in 2024 before the Paris Summer Olympics and stayed on to become one of the team\u2019s three graphic designers.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a cheerleader, Broussard knew what resonated with fans, but as a designer, she has found other ways to measure success in place of the roar of a live crowd. She recalls a graphic of hers posted during the Paris Games, highlighting Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, that was shared by President Joe Biden, as well as Barack and Michelle Obama.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving her graphics go viral or reach a high-profile audience, she finds, \u0022are the moments that reignite my passion each day,\u0022 she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Milan Cortina Games continue through Sunday, Feb. 22, and the Paralympics take place March 6 \u2013 15, so there are still more graphics to be created. But Broussard\u2019s favorite graphic from the Games thus far, reaching over 50,000 likes on Instagram, celebrates snowboarder Chloe Kim for becoming the first woman to medal at three straight Olympics in the halfpipe event. Another of her favorites showcases the U.S. Biathlon team in various stages of competition, and while it has a unique look, Broussard says design is about trusting her instincts and finding ways to differentiate their graphics from other teams.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe may end up with five versions of the same graphic while trying to figure out how to make it work. I am a Georgia Tech graduate at heart, so my math guided me on the composition of the biathlon graphic. But knowing the brand so well and knowing where to push it is one of my favorite parts about working in sports,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe work continues after the closing ceremony of the Paralympics, as Broussard\u2019s team will immediately begin preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech graduate and former Yellow Jacket cheerleader, McLain Broussard is guiding the visual identity for Team USA as a graphic designer.   "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech graduate and former Yellow Jacket cheerleader, McLain Broussard is guiding the visual identity for Team USA as a graphic designer.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech graduate and former Yellow Jacket cheerleader, McLain Broussard is guiding the visual identity for Team USA as a graphic designer.   "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-02-18 21:21:28","changed_gmt":"2026-02-20 15:06:12","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-19T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-19T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679376":{"id":"679376","type":"image","title":"McLain Broussard outside of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with one of her graphics from the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Submitted photo.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMcLain Broussard outside of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with one of her graphics from the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Submitted photo.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771599860","gmt_created":"2026-02-20 15:04:20","changed":"1771599860","gmt_changed":"2026-02-20 15:04:20","alt":"McLain Broussard outside of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with one of her graphics from the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Submitted photo.","file":{"fid":"263528","name":"broussard.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/20\/broussard.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/20\/broussard.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":961086,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/20\/broussard.jpg?itok=gx8H9Ye4"}},"679372":{"id":"679372","type":"image","title":"McLain Broussard - Pic","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMcLain Broussard cheering during a 2019 football game in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on the Georgia Tech campus. Photo courtesy: Danny Karnik\/Georgia Tech Athletics\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771556147","gmt_created":"2026-02-20 02:55:47","changed":"1771556147","gmt_changed":"2026-02-20 02:55:47","alt":"McLain Broussard","file":{"fid":"263523","name":"IMG_2493.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/19\/IMG_2493.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/19\/IMG_2493.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":423861,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/19\/IMG_2493.jpg?itok=CEWP6wfP"}}},"media_ids":["679376","679372"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"177015","name":"winter olympics"},{"id":"108651","name":"goergia tech cheerleading"},{"id":"506","name":"alumni"},{"id":"5325","name":"Georgia Tech Alumni Association"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687708":{"#nid":"687708","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Researchers Warn AI \u2018Blind Spot\u2019 Could Allow Attackers to Hijack Self-Driving Vehicles","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA newly discovered vulnerability could allow cybercriminals to silently hijack the artificial intelligence (AI) systems in self-driving cars, raising concerns about the security of autonomous systems increasingly used on public roads.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech cybersecurity researchers discovered the vulnerability, dubbed VillainNet, and found it can remain dormant in a self-driving vehicle\u2019s AI system until triggered by specific conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce triggered, VillainNet is almost certain to succeed, giving attackers control of the targeted vehicle.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research finds that attackers could program almost any action within a self-driving vehicle\u2019s AI super network to trigger VillainNet. In one possible scenario, it could be triggered when a self-driving taxi\u2019s AI responds to rainfall and changing road conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce in control, hackers could hold the passengers hostage and threaten to crash the taxi.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers discovered this new backdoor attack threat in the AI super networks that power autonomous driving systems.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSuper networks are designed to be the Swiss Army knife of AI, swapping out tools, or in this case sub networks, as needed for the task at hand,\u0022 said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/davidoygenblik.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDavid Oygenblik\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. student at Georgia Tech and the lead researcher on the project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022However, we found that an adversary can exploit this by attacking just one of those tiny tools. The attack remains completely dormant until that specific subnetwork is used, effectively hiding across billions of other benign configurations.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis backdoor attack is nearly guaranteed to work, according to Oygenblik. This blind spot is nearly undetectable with current tools and can impact any autonomous vehicle that runs on AI. It can also be hidden at any stage of development and include billions of scenarios.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith VillainNet, the attacker forces defenders to find a single needle in a haystack that can be as large as 10 quintillion straws,\u0022 said Oygenblik.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Our work is a call to action for the security community. As AI systems become more complex and adaptive, we must develop new defenses capable of addressing these novel, hyper-targeted threats.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe hypothetical fix to the problem was to add security measures to the super networks. These networks contain billions of specialized subnetworks that can be activated on the fly, but Oygenblik wanted to see what would happen if he attacked a single subnetwork tool.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn experiments, the VillainNet attack proved highly effective. It achieved a 99% success rate when activated while remaining invisible throughout the AI system.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research also shows that detecting a VillainNet backdoor would require 66x more computing power and time to verify the AI system is safe. This challenge dramatically expands the search space for attack detection and is not feasible, according to the researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=H1fyPD8vWDo\u0022\u003Epresented\u003C\/a\u003E at the ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS) in October 2025. The paper, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/davidoygenblik.github.io\/pdfs\/VNET.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EVillainNet: Targeted Poisoning Attacks Against SuperNets Along the Accuracy-Latency Pareto Frontier\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, was co-authored by Oygenblik, master\u0027s students \u003Cstrong\u003EAbhinav Vemulapalli \u003C\/strong\u003Eand \u003Cstrong\u003EAnimesh Agrawal\u003C\/strong\u003E, Ph.D. student \u003Cstrong\u003EDebopam Sanyal\u003C\/strong\u003E, Associate Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EAlexey Tumanov\u003C\/strong\u003E, and Associate Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EBrendan Saltaformaggio\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA newly discovered vulnerability could allow cybercriminals to silently hijack the artificial intelligence (AI) systems in self-driving cars, raising concerns about the security of autonomous systems increasingly used on public roads.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech cybersecurity researchers discovered the vulnerability, dubbed VillainNet, and found it can remain dormant in a self-driving vehicle\u2019s AI system until triggered by specific conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce triggered, VillainNet is almost certain to succeed, giving attackers control of the targeted vehicle.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A newly discovered vulnerability could allow cybercriminals to silently hijack the artificial intelligence (AI) systems in self-driving cars, raising concerns about the security of autonomous systems increasingly used on public roads."}],"uid":"36253","created_gmt":"2026-01-27 14:51:58","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 17:34:58","author":"John Popham","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-27T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-27T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679102":{"id":"679102","type":"image","title":"Car-Blind-Spot.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1769525530","gmt_created":"2026-01-27 14:52:10","changed":"1769525530","gmt_changed":"2026-01-27 14:52:10","alt":"A car\u0027s side view mirror with a alert in the center of the mirror. ","file":{"fid":"263221","name":"Car-Blind-Spot.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/27\/Car-Blind-Spot.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/27\/Car-Blind-Spot.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":467609,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/27\/Car-Blind-Spot.jpeg?itok=6bYsIEkx"}}},"media_ids":["679102"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660367","name":"School of Cybersecurity and Privacy"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"182941","name":"cc-research; ic-cybersecurity; ic-hcc"},{"id":"175307","name":"Brendan Saltaformaggio"},{"id":"365","name":"Research"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"188667","name":"go-"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jpopham3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJohn Popham\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Officer II\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESchool of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688132":{"#nid":"688132","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Obstacle or Accelerator? How Imperfections Affect Material Strength","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EImagine a material cracking \u2014 now imagine what happens if there are small inclusions in the material. Do they create an obstacle course for the crack to navigate, slowing it down? Or do they act as weak points, helping the crack spread faster?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHistorically, most engineers believed the former, using heterogeneities, or differences, in materials to make materials stronger and more resilient. However, research from Georgia Tech is showing that, in some cases, heterogeneities make materials weaker and can even accelerate cracks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELed by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/itamar-kolvin\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EItamar Kolvin\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the study, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/journals.aps.org\/prl\/abstract\/10.1103\/j4vb-y1ng\u0022\u003EDual Role for Heterogeneity in Dynamic Fracture\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d was published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EPhysical Review Letters\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ethis fall.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile Kolvin\u2019s work is theoretical, the results of the research are widely applicable. \u201cPredicting this type of toughening effect helps engineers decide how much reinforcement to add to a material, and the best way to do so,\u201d he says. \u201cCracks are complex \u2014 they interact with the material, change shape, and respond dynamically. All of this affects the overall toughness, which impacts safety.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBuilding Strong Materials\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study found that the key to crack behavior starts at the microscopic level where the material\u2019s microscopic structure influences how it resists cracks running at different speeds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cCracks propagate by breaking bonds, and that costs energy,\u201d he explains. \u201cOn top of this, materials experience extreme deformations close to where the crack runs, which costs additional energy. In some materials, the amount of this energy cost can depend on the crack\u2019s speed because of microscopic friction between molecules.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOther materials, like window glass, are mostly indifferent to the crack speed. These materials are made of simple molecules, allowing a crack to propagate slowly or quickly using the same amount of energy. The researchers found that including heterogeneities can help strengthen these materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMaterials made of more complex molecules, like polymer plastics and gels, on the other hand,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Eare\u003C\/em\u003E velocity dependent: it takes more energy for a crack to propagate faster. In these materials, heterogeneities are less effective at toughening, and if the crack is fast enough, heterogeneities could help it advance. \u201cThat\u2019s something we didn\u2019t expect when we started,\u201d Kolvin says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDisorder Versus Design\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAfter discovering which types of materials can benefit from heterogeneities, Kolvin wanted to investigate the best way to add them. \u201cNatural materials like rocks are usually very messy and disordered,\u201d he explains, \u201cbut in engineering, heterogenous materials tend to be patterned.\u201d For example, imagine a manufactured material: heterogeneities may be added in a grid-like or other patterned way. Now, contrast that with the irregular freckles and inclusions you might see in a rock found in a streambed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKolvin\u2019s question was simple: which material was stronger? The results, again, were surprising. The disordered case \u2014 similar to what is found in nature \u2014 created the toughest material.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAmong the patterned materials the team tested, only one was as tough as the disordered case \u2014 and every other pattern tested made the material weaker.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrom Lab to Landscape\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAt Georgia Tech, Kolvin\u2019s lab focuses on the mechanics of materials \u2014 both solid and fluid. \u201cWe are using our expertise in physics to explore questions across different fields,\u201d he says. \u201cA common concept is treating materials as continua \u2014 zooming out from molecular detail to look at how materials deform and flow at the large scale.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis current research follows suit with applications ranging from investigating the smallest material microstructures to predicting earthquake fractures. \u201cEarthquake faults are highly disordered, and simulating these ruptures is a major challenge, usually requiring supercomputers to solve crack propagation in three dimensions,\u201d Kolvin says. \u201cBut with the tools our study has developed, we can simulate similar conditions and large systems using just a desktop computer.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis opens the doors for scientists, engineers, physicists, and geologists to explore problems right from their own computer, allowing more researchers access to more tools,\u201d he adds. \u201cAnd new tools often lead to new discoveries.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDOI:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1103\/j4vb-y1ng\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1103\/j4vb-y1ng\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearch from Georgia Tech is showing how cracks occur and spread through materials \u2014 and how best to prevent them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Research from Georgia Tech is showing how cracks occur and spread through materials \u2014 and how best to prevent them. "}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-02-09 17:14:44","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 17:33:17","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679225":{"id":"679225","type":"image","title":"\u201cCracks are complex \u2014 they interact with the material, change shape, and respond dynamically,\u0022 says Kolvin. \u0022All of this affects the overall toughness, and that impacts safety.\u201d (Adobe Stock)","body":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cCracks are complex \u2014 they interact with the material, change shape, and respond dynamically,\u0022 says Kolvin. \u0022All of this affects the overall toughness, and that impacts safety.\u201d (Adobe Stock)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770657667","gmt_created":"2026-02-09 17:21:07","changed":"1770657667","gmt_changed":"2026-02-09 17:21:07","alt":"A crack in a building wall.","file":{"fid":"263358","name":"AdobeStock_494169649.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/09\/AdobeStock_494169649.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/09\/AdobeStock_494169649.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2360933,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/09\/AdobeStock_494169649.jpeg?itok=Q7lTZSc8"}},"679224":{"id":"679224","type":"image","title":"Itamar Kolvin","body":"\u003Cp\u003EItamar Kolvin\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770657296","gmt_created":"2026-02-09 17:14:56","changed":"1770657296","gmt_changed":"2026-02-09 17:14:56","alt":"Itamar Kolvin","file":{"fid":"263357","name":"Itamar-Kolvin.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/09\/Itamar-Kolvin_0.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/09\/Itamar-Kolvin_0.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":154592,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/09\/Itamar-Kolvin_0.jpeg?itok=e0T6C0ih"}}},"media_ids":["679225","679224"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687813":{"#nid":"687813","#data":{"type":"news","title":"From Fusion to Self-Driving Cars, High Performance Computing and AI are Everywhere in 2026","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile not as highlight-reel worthy as the Winter Olympics and the World Cup, experts expect high-performance computing (HPC) to have an even bigger impact on daily life in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers say HPC and artificial intelligence (AI) advances this year are poised to improve how people power their homes, design safer buildings, and travel through cities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tangqi.github.io\/\u0022\u003EQi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, scientists will take progressive steps toward cleaner, sustainable energy through nuclear fusion in 2026.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am very hopeful about the role of advanced computing and AI in making fusion a clean energy source,\u201d said Tang, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE)\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFusion systems involve many interconnected processes happening across different scales. Modern simulations, combined with data-driven methods, allow us to bring these pieces together into a unified picture.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETang\u2019s research connects HPC and machine learning with fusion energy and plasma physics. This year, Tang is continuing work on large-scale nuclear fusion models.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnly a few experimental fusion reactors exist worldwide compared to more than 400 nuclear fission reactors. Tang\u2019s work supports a broader effort to turn fusion from a promising idea into a practical energy source.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENuclear fusion occurs in plasma, the fourth state of matter, where gas is heated to millions of degrees. In this extreme state, electrons are stripped from atoms, creating a hot soup of fast-moving ions and free electrons. In plasma, hydrogen atoms overcome their natural electrical repulsion, collide, and fuse together. This releases energy that can power cities and homes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EComputers interpret extreme temperatures, densities, pressures, and plasma particle motion as massive datasets. Tang works to assimilate these data types from computer models and real-world experiments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo do this, he and other researchers rely on machine learning approaches to analyze data across models and experiments more quickly and to produce more accurate predictions. Over time, this will allow scientists to test and improve fusion reactor designs toward commercial use.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond energy and nuclear engineering,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pk.linkedin.com\/in\/umarkhayaz\u0022\u003EUmar Khayaz\u003C\/a\u003E sees broader impacts for HPC in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHPC is the need of the day in every field of engineering sciences, physics, biology, and economics,\u201d said Khayaz, a CSE Ph.D. student in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHPC is important enough to say that we need to employ resources to also solve social problems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKhayaz studies dynamic fracture and phase-field modeling. These areas explore how materials break under sudden, rapid loads.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike nuclear fusion, Khayaz says dynamic fracture problems are complex and data-intensive. In 2026, he expects to see more computing resources and computational capabilities devoted to understanding these problems and other emerging civil engineering challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECSE Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ahren09.github.io\/\u0022\u003EYiqiao (Ahren) Jin\u003C\/a\u003E sees a similar relationship between infrastructure and self-driving vehicles. He believes AI will innovate this area in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, Jin develops efficient multimodal AI systems. An autonomous vehicle is a multimodal system that uses camera video, laser sensors, language instructions, and other inputs to navigate city streets under changing scenarios like traffic and weather patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJin says multimodal research will move beyond performance benchmarks this year. This shift will lead to computer systems that can reason despite uncertainty and explain their decisions. In result, engineers will redefine how they evaluate and deploy autonomous systems in safety-critical settings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMany foundational problems in perception, multimodal reasoning, and agent coordination are being actively addressed in 2026. These advances enable a transition from isolated autonomous systems to safer, coordinated autonomous vehicle fleets,\u201d Jin said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs these systems scale, they have the potential to fundamentally improve transportation safety and efficiency.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile not as highlight-reel worthy as the Winter Olympics and the World Cup, experts expect high-performance computing (HPC) to have an even bigger impact on daily life in 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers say HPC and artificial intelligence (AI) advances this year are poised to improve how people power their homes, design safer buildings, and travel through cities.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers say HPC and artificial intelligence (AI) advances this year are poised to improve how people power their homes, design safer buildings, and travel through cities."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2026-01-29 14:30:57","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 15:53:29","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-29T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-29T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679125":{"id":"679125","type":"image","title":"CSE-in-2026_2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1769704332","gmt_created":"2026-01-29 16:32:12","changed":"1769704332","gmt_changed":"2026-01-29 16:32:12","alt":"CSE in 2026","file":{"fid":"263246","name":"CSE-in-2026_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/CSE-in-2026_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/CSE-in-2026_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":348721,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/29\/CSE-in-2026_2.jpg?itok=JDq9Sr_p"}}},"media_ids":["679125"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/fusion-self-driving-cars-high-performance-computing-and-ai-are-everywhere-2026","title":"From Fusion to Self-Driving Cars, High Performance Computing and AI are Everywhere in 2026"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"172288","name":"School of Computational Science Engineering"},{"id":"167864","name":"School of Civil and Environmental Engineering"},{"id":"594","name":"college of engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"15030","name":"high-performance computing"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"194384","name":"Tech AI"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687892":{"#nid":"687892","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Computing Hosts Venture Capital Summit to Push Research Beyond the Lab","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe College of Computing is forging new relationships with Atlanta\u2019s venture capital community to advance entrepreneurial opportunities for students.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENearly two dozen venture capital (VC) leaders based in Atlanta and the Southeast participated in a half-day summit at the College on Jan. 21.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECo-hosts Dean of Computing \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/vsarkar\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVivek Sarkar\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and Noro-Moseley Partners General Partner\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alantaetle\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlan Taetle\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E organized the invitation-only summit. Their goals were to:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EShowcase the College\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/research-areas\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eresearch strengths\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/entrepreneurship-gt-computing\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eentrepreneurial culture\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDeepen connections between academic innovation and startups\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExplore opportunities for collaboration, commercialization, and startup growth\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe summit\u2019s guest list included founders, partners, and leaders from VC firms. Many of these firms focus on early-stage startups in SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, and other emerging technology markets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch With Commercial Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESarkar outlined the College of Computing\u2019s academic mission and research priorities during his opening remarks. He emphasized the College\u2019s role in advancing innovation in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging research areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne of the College\u2019s strategic pillars is what I call \u2018X to the power of Computing\u2019,\u201d Sarkar said. \u201cLook at any discipline or industry X to see where they\u0027re innovating and where their advances are being made, and that\u2019s where Computing meets that discipline.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with remarks from the dean, the summit featured presentations highlighting Georgia Tech\u2019s entrepreneurial ecosystem and College-led research initiatives with strong commercialization potential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpanding Support for Student Founders\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jenniferwhitlow\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJen Whitlow\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E leads Community Partnerships at Fusen, a global platform for student founders created by Atlanta philanthropist\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/chklaus\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristopher W. Klaus\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. She described Klaus\u2019s support for student entrepreneurship, including GT Computing\u2019s annual\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/klaus-startup-challenge\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKlaus Startup Challenge\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. In 2025,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/klaus-startup-challenge-showcases-georgia-techs-rising-entrepreneurial-talent\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKlaus awarded five winning teams $150,000 each\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E to cover startup costs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhitlow also updated guests on Klaus\u2019s commitment, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/05\/02\/tech-visionary-chris-klaus-empowers-georgia-tech-grads-launch-startups\u0022\u003Eannounced in May 2025\u003C\/a\u003E, to covering the incorporation costs for any graduating student who aspires to launch a startup.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMore than 600 graduates from last year\u2019s Spring and Fall Commencements have accepted the gift, and more than 225 recent graduates have completed their incorporation to date,\u201d Whitlow said. She added that a second cohort of Fall 2025 graduates is being processed over the next few weeks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOffering an enterprise-level view, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECREATE-X\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/saxenar\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERahul Saxena\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Epresented recent updates to commercialization at Georgia Tech and efforts to streamline entrepreneurial processes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESaxena emphasized the launch of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commercialization.gatech.edu\/velocity\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVelocity Startups\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an accelerator that provides the resources and infrastructure student startups need to bring their innovations to market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding the Pipeline From Research to Startup\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollowing these updates, GT Computing faculty delivered lightning-round presentations highlighting the College\u2019s research strengths in AI, cybersecurity, and high-performance computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe tighter the local investing community is with Georgia Tech, the better off both are,\u201d said Taetle, who has been a member of the College\u2019s Advisory Board for more than 20 years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s critical in this super-competitive world that we do everything that we can to support this fantastic university.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETaetle added that the summit was part of a broader effort to strengthen the College\u2019s entrepreneurial pipeline.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere are some really big ideas here, which could turn into really big companies,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve made some great strides on the commercialization front, but we still have that opportunity and challenge in front of us.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe afternoon concluded with a discussion of next steps and engagement opportunities, led by Sarkar and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jzwang\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJason Zwang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, GT Computing\u2019s senior director of development. The discussion focused on research partnership opportunities, startup formation, and student involvement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZwang emphasized the importance of investing in Atlanta\u2019s innovation ecosystem, citing the city\u2019s strong fundamentals and pro-growth climate for entrepreneurship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis gives us a unique opportunity to start working more closely with the local VC community, and it\u2019s also great for our students,\u201d Zwang said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESarkar agreed, saying, \u201cThere\u2019s no downside for students to get involved in a startup. It might take off and be a bonanza. If not, the experience makes you a more competitive hire because of the breadth of experience you gain at a startup.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo foster these opportunities for students, Zwang said that a key priority is to establish earlier, more intentional connections among students, startups, and investors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is a pivotal moment,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can determine how to connect students with the VC and startup community earlier and ensure these investors remain involved with the College.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollege leaders said the summit underscored Computing\u2019s commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial culture and to building lasting relationships that can help accelerate the real-world impact of its research beyond the Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech is a force multiplier for entrepreneurship,\u201d said Sarkar. \u201cWe\u2019re here to change the world. We want to inspire a culture of bold, big entrepreneurial thinking, and look forward to the next steps that will follow this VC summit.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENearly two dozen venture capital leaders from Atlanta and across the Southeast joined the College of Computing on Jan. 21 for a half-day VC summit focused on research, innovation, and collaboration.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The College of Computing is working to connect student and faculty entrepreneurs with early-development startup support."}],"uid":"32045","created_gmt":"2026-02-02 15:57:16","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 15:52:21","author":"Ben Snedeker","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679150":{"id":"679150","type":"image","title":"GT Computing 2026 Venture Capital Summit group photo","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETop executives from Atlanta\u0027s venture capital community participated in the College of Computing\u0027s first VC summit, held on Jan. 21. Photo by Terence Rushin\/GT Computing\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770047844","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 15:57:24","changed":"1770047844","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 15:57:24","alt":"Top executives from Atlanta\u0027s venture capital community participated in the College of Computing\u0027s first VC summit, held on Jan. 21.","file":{"fid":"263273","name":"Venture-Capitalists-_86A0835-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/Venture-Capitalists-_86A0835-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/Venture-Capitalists-_86A0835-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":205876,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/Venture-Capitalists-_86A0835-copy.jpg?itok=McAV65N9"}}},"media_ids":["679150"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"137161","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"194105","name":"aspiring entrepreneurs"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"}],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:albert.snedeker@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBen Snedeker\u003C\/a\u003E, Senior Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Computing\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687826":{"#nid":"687826","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Yellow Jacket Connection Sparks Glaucoma Research Fund at Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAn estimated 4 million Americans have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that can lead to irreversible blindness.\u0026nbsp;Now, Georgia Tech is home to a Glaucoma Research Fund that will\u0026nbsp;support cutting-edge work to understand and advance treatments for the disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new initiative was sparked by ongoing research at Georgia Tech \u2014 and a Yellow Jacket connection: when\u0026nbsp;Postdoctoral Research Fellow\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHannah Youngblood\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brightfocus.org\/news\/a-key-protein-could-alter-risk-for-pseudoexfoliation-glaucoma\/\u0022\u003Ework on exfoliation glaucoma (XFG)\u003C\/a\u003E was featured by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brightfocus.org\/\u0022\u003EBrightFocus Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;it caught the attention of\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Rucker,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ean Alabama resident who was diagnosed with XFG several years ago.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EExcited that the research could change outcomes for people like her \u2014 and proud that it\u2019s happening at her husband\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPhilip Rucker\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2019s, EE 72, alma mater \u2014 Jennifer Rucker reached out to Youngblood and her advisor,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E Professor and Kelly Sepcic Pfeil, Ph.D. Chair\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/raquel-lieberman\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERaquel Lieberman\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAs the wife of a Georgia Tech graduate and an individual with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, I was inspired to support the scientists whose efforts may help me and others,\u201d Jennifer Rucker says.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EWhat followed was a meaningful dialogue and a shared sense of purpose \u2014 and the creation of the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund (Wreck Glaucoma! Fund).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt meant so much that Jennifer took the initiative to reach out to learn more about our research,\u201d says Lieberman. \u201cMoments like this remind me how deeply meaningful it is to connect with people in the broader community who are navigating glaucoma. Opportunities for such personal connections are rare, but they inspire and further motivate us to achieve our lab\u2019s mission to improve the lives of individuals suffering from blindness diseases.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Personal Connection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EYoungblood\u2019s interest in glaucoma research also stems from a personal connection: her father\u0026nbsp;was diagnosed with glaucoma as a young adult.\u0026nbsp;Now, Youngblood\u0026nbsp;studies the genetic and molecular factors behind XFG in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lieberman.chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ELieberman research lab\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cXFG is an aggressive form of the disease with no known cure,\u201d Youngblood says.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EWhile scientists know that XFG is the result of abnormal accumulation of proteins in the eye, current treatments only address symptoms rather than treating the root cause of the disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe know XFG is driven by protein buildup, but we still don\u2019t know\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Ewhy\u003C\/em\u003E it happens,\u201d she explains. \u201cMy work studying specific genetic variants aims to uncover this.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Genetics of Glaucoma\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn particular, Youngblood is researching the role of LOXL1, a protein that plays a role in soft tissue throughout the body, including the eyes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cResearch has shown that people with variants in the genes responsible for this protein are more likely to have XFG,\u201d she says. \u201cThat made me curious to see if the variants might be impacting the structure of the LOXL1 protein itself and how those variants might lead to disease.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EYoungblood is currently testing her theory in the lab. \u201cMy hope is that new insight into proteins like LOXL1 will bring us closer to treatments that address XFG at its source,\u201d she says. \u201cThe new Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund is a tremendous step forward in making that hope a reality.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupport the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPlease visit the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/giving.gatech.edu\/campaigns\/59801\/donations\/new?designation_id=a000015611000\u0026amp;\u0022\u003EGlaucoma Research Fund support page\u003C\/a\u003E to give to this specific program. To discuss additional philanthropic opportunities, please contact the College of Sciences Development Team:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:development@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Edevelopment@cos.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour investment ensures that these scholars and researchers have world-class resources, facilities, and mentors to excel in this critical work. Thank you for helping us shape the future.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen\u0026nbsp;Postdoctoral Research Fellow\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHannah Youngblood\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2019s\u0026nbsp;work on exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) was featured by the\u0026nbsp;BrightFocus Foundation,\u0026nbsp;it caught the attention of\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Rucker,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ean Alabama resident who was diagnosed with XFG several years ago. What followed was a meaningful dialogue and a shared sense of purpose \u2014 and the creation of the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund (Wreck Glaucoma! Fund).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"When\u00a0Postdoctoral Research Fellow\u00a0Hannah Youngblood\u2019s\u00a0work on exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) was featured by the\u00a0BrightFocus Foundation,\u00a0it caught the attention of\u00a0Jennifer Rucker,\u00a0an Alabama resident who was diagnosed with XFG several years ago. "}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-01-29 17:23:21","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 15:19:24","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679130":{"id":"679130","type":"image","title":"Hannah Youngblood","body":null,"created":"1769722230","gmt_created":"2026-01-29 21:30:30","changed":"1769722339","gmt_changed":"2026-01-29 21:32:19","alt":"Hannah Youngblood","file":{"fid":"263251","name":"Headshot.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/Headshot.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/Headshot.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":42055,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/29\/Headshot.jpg?itok=1PjOSH2M"}},"679127":{"id":"679127","type":"image","title":"Raquel Lieberman","body":null,"created":"1769707506","gmt_created":"2026-01-29 17:25:06","changed":"1769722356","gmt_changed":"2026-01-29 21:32:36","alt":"Raquel Lieberman","file":{"fid":"263248","name":"083.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/083.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/083.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":14074756,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/29\/083.jpg?itok=qPG_sbYX"}}},"media_ids":["679130","679127"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/giving.gatech.edu\/campaigns\/59801\/donations\/new?designation_id=a000015611000\u0026","title":"Make a Gift to Support the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"193234","name":"Campaign Stories"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"194631","name":"cos-georgia"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688239":{"#nid":"688239","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Humanoid Robots Make Confident Strides Toward Walking Stability","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHumanoid robots are coming.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile this statement might cause anxiety for some, for one Georgia Tech research team, working with humanlike robots couldn\u2019t be more exciting.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBipedal \u2014 or two-legged \u2014 autonomous robots can be quite agile. This makes them useful for performing tasks on uneven terrain, such as carrying equipment through outdoor environments or performing maintenance on an ocean-going ship. However, unstable or unpredictable conditions also increase the possibility of a robot wipeout.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers, led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/ye-zhao\u0022\u003EYe Zhao\u003C\/a\u003E, director of the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lab-idar.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ELaboratory for Intelligent Decision and Autonomous Robots\u003C\/a\u003E (LIDAR), and Zhaoyuan Gu, a robotics Ph.D. student, wanted to develop a real-time planning and control framework that guarantees a robot\u0027s safety and recovery when traversing difficult terrain. The autonomous nature of this framework means the robots can make their own decisions without direct assistance from a human. For example, if an unexpected obstacle appears in its path, a robot equipped with this new framework could catch itself instead of falling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUntil now, there\u2019s been a significant lack of research into how a robot recovers when its direction shifts \u2014 for example, a robot losing balance when a truck makes a quick turn. The team aims to fix this research gap.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPutting the Project Pieces Together\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/TRO.2025.3582820\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIEEE Transactions on Robotics\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E paper, the researchers describe a first-of-its-kind strategy that gives robots a clear set of rules for reacting when something changes in its path. These rules help the robot make quicker decisions and take more confident steps. When the robot senses that its current plan might not keep it stable, it uses these rules to adjust its next few steps, so it can continue moving safely. In earlier experiments, which lacked this framework, two-legged robots struggled to identify a solution for stability and were prone to falling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers implemented the new framework with Cassie, a two-legged robot. Inside Tech\u2019s 3,000-square-foot \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/robotics\/human-augmentation-core\u0022\u003EHuman Augmentation Core Facility\u003C\/a\u003E, the Cassie robot confidently walks on a Computer-Aided Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) \u2014 a treadmill system that can be programmed to move in any direction at different times. When the team realized CAREN is limited in how much force it can inflict, they added a BumpEm system, which creates a stronger jerk to further stress-test Cassie\u2019s gait.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Results\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough these experiments, the researchers found that their new programming framework outperforms state-of-the-art methods with more certainty, faster decision-making, higher collision avoidance, and the ability to reliably walk on moving platforms and varying types of terrain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZhao said, \u201cThe results we got through this project are very impressive. They\u2019re the most comprehensive and extensive hardware results we\u2019ve published so far.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough significant, the real-world results weren\u2019t perfect. The robot doesn\u2019t perform as well when moving downhill, which requires it to take riskier steps and walk less efficiently. However, the only time Cassie completely failed to recover its gait was during a difficult scenario involving a very wide step and a cross-legged maneuver. Recovery simply wasn\u2019t feasible given the spatial limits of the narrow treadmill.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENext Steps for Walking Robots\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOverall, the researchers\u2019 framework increases by 81% Cassie\u2019s ability to recover from instability. The team noted that bipedal stability in robotics needs further research. If these walking robots are to be fully integrated into our society, they must be reliable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis paper may serve as a foundation for continued work on walking robots,\u201d said Zhao. \u201cOur work may inspire further research that can imitate or learn from the framework we\u2019ve created.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther ways of walking recovery are yet to be tested. For example, humans often hop to counteract instability or uneven footing; mirroring this with two-legged robots could be the next step in the team\u2019s research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey would like to eventually enable the use of autonomous two-legged robots in marine environments, where ship maintenance and operations require risky, strenuous labor. Ideally, these robots could reliably, safely, and efficiently perform these kinds of tasks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project will be tested at sea through the Office of Naval Research in Arlington, Virginia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHumanoid robots are coming to your homes, coming to the factories, coming to logistics. They\u0027re going to show up on the street. It\u2019s exciting,\u201d said Gu.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERobotics engineers should consider not only a robot\u2019s mechanical design, but also its algorithms, intelligence, and brain. Being able to safely and regularly interact with these robots requires this foundational work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u2014 By Chloe Morris\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRobust-Locomotion-By-Logic: Perturbation-Resilient Bipedal Locomotion via Signal Temporal Logic Guided Model Predictive Control.\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ieeexplore.ieee.org\/document\/11049016\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1109\/TRO.2025.3582820\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding for this research is provided by the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program and the National Science Foundation CAREER Program.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearchers on this project include LIDAR Director Ye Zhao, Ph.D. student Zhaoyuan Gu, and master\u2019s students Yuntian Zhao, Yipu Chen, and Rongming Guo. Other contributors from the\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/power.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E Physiology of Wearable Robotics Lab\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E include \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/gregory-sawicki\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGregory Sawicki\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, director, and Jennifer Leestma (Ph.D. ROBO, 2024).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research is also supported by the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vip.gatech.edu\/teams\/entry\/1281\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAgile Locomotion and Manipulation team\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, part of Georgia Tech\u2019s Vertically Integrated Projects program.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have developed a new \u201cthinking\u201d technology for two-legged robots, increasing their balance and agility.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers have developed a new \u201cthinking\u201d technology for two-legged robots, increasing their balance and agility.\u00a0"}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2026-02-13 14:34:19","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 15:05:30","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-18T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-18T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679321":{"id":"679321","type":"image","title":"humanoid-robotos.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYipu Chen (seated) and Zhaoyuan Gu (standing) on the CAREN treadmill system\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771337425","gmt_created":"2026-02-17 14:10:25","changed":"1771337425","gmt_changed":"2026-02-17 14:10:25","alt":"Two individuals on a large circular motion platform in a research lab, with one person seated cross\u2011legged on the platform and another suspended in a harness wearing a Georgia Tech exoskeleton system.","file":{"fid":"263464","name":"humanoid-robotos.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/17\/humanoid-robotos.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/17\/humanoid-robotos.png","mime":"image\/png","size":13065997,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/17\/humanoid-robotos.png?itok=xpm563Bv"}},"679359":{"id":"679359","type":"video","title":"Cassie Robot Walking on the CAREN Treadmill","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Cassie robot walks confidently on the CAREN treadmill, making adjustments to its gait as the platform moves.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771444600","gmt_created":"2026-02-18 19:56:40","changed":"1771444600","gmt_changed":"2026-02-18 19:56:40","video":{"youtube_id":"klhX6qFRZEs","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/klhX6qFRZEs"}}},"media_ids":["679321","679359"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMedia contact:\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:swundersmith3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Research Communications\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688378":{"#nid":"688378","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 BBISS Sustainability Showcase Recap: Resilience Is About Systems","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWritten by: Shweta Ram and Seungho Lee\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat does it mean to design systems that endure even after major disruptions? This question framed the 2026 Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) Sustainability Showcase, where conversations over two days spanned the Georgia coast, wildfire modeling, AI data centers, infrastructure, community engagement, and the joy of working for a more sustainable and resilient world. Across disciplines and scales, a unifying theme emerged: resilience is not a single solution. It is a systems-level challenge requiring integration across science and technology, policy, communities, and human experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom Coastlines to Communities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe showcase opened with a keynote from President Emeritus G. Wayne Clough on wildlife management and resiliency along Georgia\u2019s coast. The conversation that followed between Clough and BBISS Executive Director Beril Toktay highlighted the interconnection between public policy, wilderness conservation, community leadership, and scientific research. The session highlighted not only the urgency of protecting fragile ecosystems, but also that resilience works best when it is community-focused and community-driven.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESubsequent panels continued this systemic perspective. Sessions on community engagement, biotechnology-derived, climate-resilient plants, the flood resilience of Georgia coastal communities, wildfire prediction and prevention, and infrastructure resilience analytics all emphasized that resilience depends on the synthesis of many disciplines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross sessions, researchers emphasized that infrastructure resilience must include governance frameworks informed by good science, community engagement based on trust, and sustained collaboration that seeks to constantly improve the science, policy, and stakeholder relationships. The researchers demonstrated that they understand their role to be greater than merely modeling risk, but as collaborators who translate research into practical solutions that communities can adopt, maintain, and trust.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI Data Centers: A New Resilience Frontier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDay two shifted attention to data centers, which are emerging as a critical resilience frontier.\u0026nbsp;As artificial intelligence systems scale rapidly, so does the infrastructure that powers them, as well as the growing realization that digital systems are physical systems. Conversations examined the feedback loops that play a significant role in determining environmental impacts, such as chip architecture, AI workloads, data center sustainability, appropriate AI usage, and who makes the decisions on data center infrastructure development.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most fascinating sessions came from Alexandria Smith, assistant professor in the School of Music at Georgia Tech. She presented an artistic yet algorithmic composition that sonified data from AI data centers. Through translating kilowatt-hour usage and interconnection data into immersive soundscapes, she reframed data centers not as static input-output machines, but as adaptive, living systems. Drawing inspiration from \u003Cem\u003EPhysarum polycephalum\u003C\/em\u003E, a slime mold without a brain or nervous system known for its innate problem-solving abilities, she invites the listener to imagine infrastructure that senses, adapts, and self-optimizes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECampus as a Living Laboratory\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn her session, Professor Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability, highlighted Georgia Tech\u2019s 2024 Climate Action Plan, focusing on building energy efficiency, renewable integration, materials management, and mobility transitions. The plan frames the Georgia Tech campus as a test bed for resilience strategies \u2014 an ecosystem where research, operations, and policy intersect. Chirico highlighted several examples where the alignment between research and implementation was essential in moving projects from modeling to pilot projects to sustained institutional change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFinding Joy in Climate Action\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERebecca Watts Hull, Matthew Realff, and Christie Stewart led an interactive discussion inspired by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson\u2019s framework for accelerating long-term climate action. Participants were asked three simple questions: What are you good at? What work needs doing? What brings you joy? Sustainability and climate research are fields often defined by serious urgency, crisis narratives, and burnout. This session offered a personal framework for resilience where emotional sustainability, professional fulfillment, and joy matter just as much as the motivation to drive a mission ever forward.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding a Shared Vision\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Sustainability Showcase concluded with a facilitated visioning session led by Kristin Janacek, associate director for Interdisciplinary Research Impact, and Beril Toktay. In small groups, leaders, researchers, and community members worked to define what resilience looks like for them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter the conversations, several themes emerged:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EResilience must move from research to practical and community-based solutions to sustained action.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENetworks create opportunity but require long-term stewardship to endure.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChoosing the right metrics to measure resilience will galvanize efforts to strengthen it.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECommunity capacity is at least as important as built infrastructure.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver two days, it became clear that Georgia Tech is not approaching resilience as a narrow technical problem. It is approaching it as a systems challenge \u2014 one that spans coastlines, campuses, disciplines, data centers, the Appalachian Mountains, data models, the arts, and human relationships. Designing systems that endure requires more than innovation. It requires collaboration, stewardship, and a shared commitment to long-term impact. The conversations launched at this year\u2019s BBISS Sustainability Showcase laid the foundation for continued coordination and ambitious action in the months ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe 2026 Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) Sustainability Showcase was held recently in the Scholars Event Theater in the Price Gilbert Library. Two days of conversations spanned the Georgia coast, wildfire modeling, AI data centers, infrastructure, community engagement, and the joy of working for a more sustainable and resilient world.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Across disciplines and scales, a unifying theme emerged: resilience is not a single solution. It is a systems-level challenge requiring integration across science and technology, policy, communities, and human experience."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2026-02-18 22:33:59","changed_gmt":"2026-02-18 22:38:36","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-18T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-18T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679363":{"id":"679363","type":"image","title":"Showcase_cropped.jpg","body":null,"created":"1771454051","gmt_created":"2026-02-18 22:34:11","changed":"1771454051","gmt_changed":"2026-02-18 22:34:11","alt":"A view inside the Scholars Event Theater of a session of the Sustainability Showcase. A man speaks to a crowd while presenting slides on a large projection screen.","file":{"fid":"263513","name":"Showcase_cropped.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/18\/Showcase_cropped.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/18\/Showcase_cropped.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":915573,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/18\/Showcase_cropped.jpg?itok=JyP4R8WN"}}},"media_ids":["679363"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"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 Program Manager, BBISS\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688373":{"#nid":"688373","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Yellow Jacket Alumnus Pulls off Gold Medal Proposal  ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EIt was already a memorable trip to the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics for skier Breezy Johnson, who captured a gold medal in the Alpine Skiing Women\u2019s Downhill, but there was one more celebration to come days later. After the\u0026nbsp;super-G\u0026nbsp;race on Feb. 12, Johnson\u2019s boyfriend, Connor Watkins, a Georgia Tech alumnus, dropped to one knee in the finish area of the course and proposed to the Olympic gold medalist.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EWatkins, a business administration graduate, says that his experience as a Tech student \u2014 learning to listen carefully and how to find creative solutions \u2014 helped him plan his proposal. When Johnson mentioned that she wanted an Olympic proposal, Watkins listened and took note. From there, he says it took \u201ca village and some proper planning\u201d with Team USA and NBC to make the moment happen.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EAs to the timing of the proposal, Watkins knew he wanted to wait until Johnson\u2019s competitions had wrapped up to ensure the focus stayed on the sport.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003E\u201cI\u2019m just so proud of Breezy and what she\u2019s accomplished with her downhill gold medal,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EIn the days since, the couple has been showered with support from friends, family, teammates, and social media. Even Taylor Swift commented on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DUqdckZjDd1\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;ig_rid=865a47ae-6296-470f-8c1a-94db31c9b961\u0022\u003EJohnson\u2019s Instagram post\u003C\/a\u003E with a congratulatory message in response to the lyrics of the pop star\u2019s song \u201cThe Alchemy\u201d being printed on the ring box Watkins presented to Johnson.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EWith Johnson done competing, the newly engaged couple has been splitting time between Cortina, Livigno, and Milan, Italy, to watch other Olympic events. After the Games are over, they\u2019ll have downtime as Johnson rests before the FIS Ski World Cup Season. When they have time in their schedule, Watkins looks forward to bringing Johnson to Tech and getting her a ride in the Ramblin\u2019 Wreck.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Gold medalist Breezy Johnson and Georgia Tech graduate Connor Watkins are celebrating Johnson\u2019s achievements on the slopes and their recent engagement. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGold medalist Breezy Johnson and Georgia Tech graduate Connor Watkins\u0026nbsp;are celebrating Johnson\u2019s achievements on the slopes and their recent engagement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Gold medalist Breezy Johnson and Georgia Tech graduate Connor Watkins are celebrating Johnson\u2019s achievements on the slopes and their recent engagement. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-02-18 19:49:50","changed_gmt":"2026-02-18 19:54:31","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-18T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-18T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679358":{"id":"679358","type":"image","title":"Connor Watkins and Breezy Johnson","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech alumnus Connor Watkins and Team USA gold medalist Breezy Johnson after getting engaged at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Submitted photo.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771444245","gmt_created":"2026-02-18 19:50:45","changed":"1771444245","gmt_changed":"2026-02-18 19:50:45","alt":"Connor Watkins and Breezy Johnson","file":{"fid":"263508","name":"IMG_2658.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/18\/IMG_2658.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/18\/IMG_2658.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":319099,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/18\/IMG_2658.jpeg?itok=FGsEsEjn"}}},"media_ids":["679358"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"177015","name":"winter olympics"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013\u0026nbsp;Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688066":{"#nid":"688066","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Leanne West Named 2026 Innovator of the Year in Pediatric Health","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2937\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELeanne West\u003C\/a\u003E, chief engineer of pediatric technologies at Georgia Tech and a national leader in pediatric health innovation, has been honored as a 2026 Innovator of the Year in Pediatric Health by\u202fthe \u003Cem\u003EAtlanta Business Chronicle\u003C\/em\u003E\u202fand selected as one of\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.titan100.biz\/2026-georgia-titan-100\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETitan CEO\u2019s 2026 Georgia Titan 100 Honorees\u003C\/a\u003E. These recognitions celebrate West\u2019s leadership and impact in pediatric health innovation at both the local and national level.\u202fIn January, West was also named chief research and innovation officer at Shriners Children\u2019s, a role that expands her longstanding commitment to pediatric innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more than a decade, West has been instrumental in the partnership between Georgia Tech and Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta, working through the Pediatric Technology Center (PTC) to translate clinical needs into engineered solutions for children. In this role, she has worked alongside Children\u2019s clinicians, nurses, and researchers to identify unmet needs, form multidisciplinary teams, and guide projects from early concepts through prototyping, validation, funding, and regulatory pathways. The Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta PTC established Atlanta as a nationally recognized hub for pediatric technology innovation enabling clinician-driven research, accelerating translational projects, and fostering a culture in which engineering solutions are shaped directly by real clinical experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2019,\u202fWest began building a relationship with Shriners, working to understand their most pressing clinical needs. She then connected clinicians with researchers at Georgia Tech, Emory University, and Kennesaw State University to foster collaborations focused on real-world clinical challenges. She also supported teams with promising prototypes by helping them navigate national funding opportunities and pathways at the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), accelerating the transition from lab discoveries to patient care.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver time, this steady engagement evolved into a strong research partnership. In June 2025, Shriners announced they are joining the robust pediatric innovation ecosystem in Atlanta by establishing the\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/03\/shriners-childrens-establish-research-institute-science-square\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EShriners Children\u2019s Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E\u202f(SCRI). SCRI will be co-located with Georgia Tech as the anchor tenant at Science Square. This investment will be transformational for the future of pediatric research and innovation in the state of Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat excites me most is what we can accomplish together when we combine our strengths to align around a children-first mindset to improve the healthcare of children everywhere,\u201d said West. \u201cKids will benefit in ways no one organization could achieve alone.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWest\u2019s leadership in pediatric innovation doesn\u2019t stop there. In November 2025, she consolidated three major gatherings into the first International Pediatric Healthcare Innovation Summit,\u202fcombining the Pediatric Innovation Day, the International Society for Pediatric Innovation\u2019s (iSPI) biennial PEDS2040 event, and the joint meeting of the FDA-funded Pediatric Device Consortia. The Summit highlighted the work of Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta, bringing together more than 150 representatives from children\u2019s hospitals, startups, venture capitalists, clinicians, patients, and leaders from across the Georgia innovation ecosystem, strengthening the region\u2019s global presence in pediatric health innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs president of the International Children\u2019s Advisory Network (iCAN), West continues to elevate the voices of young people with chronic and rare conditions and their caregivers. Under her leadership, iCAN partners with industry, regulators, and the FDA to ensure pediatric patients are included in device and drug development, clinical trials, healthcare education, and regulatory conversations. She also champions opportunities that train and inspire youth and early career professionals to pursue roles across healthcare and life sciences \u2014 from clinicians and innovators to public health leaders and patient advocates.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWest served as an invited speaker at the 2025 World Health Organization\u2019s World Children\u2019s Health Day on the Importance of Clinical Trials for the Safety of Children, and at the FDA\u2019s meeting on the Implementation of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act and Pediatric Research Equity Act. She continues to contribute nationally through service on the Medical Device Innovation Consortium\u2019s (MDIC) NEST executive committee to advance use of real-world evidence in regulatory submissions, particularly for pediatric devices, and the MDIC Patient Value committee. In addition, she serves on the iSPI executive team, the Patient Focused Medicines Development board, the Pediatric Trials Network steering committee, and as a judge for MedTech Innovator.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWest\u2019s awards and new role reflect the cumulative impact of more than a decade of leadership, partnership-building, and translational work across the worldwide pediatric ecosystem. West and her fellow honorees will be officially recognized at the 2026 Health Care Champion Awards on March 19 and at the Titan 100 Awards on May 7.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis recognition celebrates West\u2019s leadership and impact in pediatric health innovation at both the local and national level.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"This recognition celebrates West\u2019s leadership and impact in pediatric health innovation at both the local and national level."}],"uid":"34760","created_gmt":"2026-02-06 13:07:47","changed_gmt":"2026-02-18 19:04:26","author":"Laurie Haigh","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679212":{"id":"679212","type":"image","title":"Leanne West","body":null,"created":"1770398827","gmt_created":"2026-02-06 17:27:07","changed":"1770398857","gmt_changed":"2026-02-06 17:27:37","alt":"Leanne West","file":{"fid":"263344","name":"Leanne-West-Article.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/06\/Leanne-West-Article.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/06\/Leanne-West-Article.png","mime":"image\/png","size":614238,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/06\/Leanne-West-Article.png?itok=e73deBxO"}}},"media_ids":["679212"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:laurie.haigh@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ELaurie Haigh\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688267":{"#nid":"688267","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Finding His Path Through Undergraduate Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen Sam Lucas arrived at Georgia Tech in the summer of 2018 for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/senic.gatech.edu\/education-and-outreach\/reu-program\/\u0022\u003ENNCI Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU),\u003C\/a\u003E he didn\u2019t know that it would set the course for the next seven years of his academic and personal life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the time, he was an undergraduate at Mississippi State University (MSU) studying chemical engineering. He was fresh off a series of research opportunities, but was still unsure of what doing research full-time would look like or what he wanted to do post-undergraduate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, Lucas has earned a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Georgia Tech with a focus on nanomaterial drug delivery for cancer immunotherapy. And according to him, the path from undergraduate to Ph.D. can be traced directly back to his REU.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPreviously, Lucas had worked in labs in high school and his early college career, but those roles were mostly task-based.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0027d started working in a\u0026nbsp;lab\u0026nbsp;at the University of Southern Mississippi my senior year of high school,\u201d he said. \u201cI was\u0026nbsp;doing polymer coatings for corrosion resistance.\u0026nbsp;Then I did some miscellaneous stuff at MSU.\u0026nbsp;But the REU was interesting because\u0026nbsp;it\u0026nbsp;was in some ways the most structured research experience that\u0026nbsp;I\u0027d\u0026nbsp;had to that point.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring that summer, Lucas worked with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/kimberly-e-kurtis\u0022\u003EKim Curtis\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019 group in the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. He worked to understand how incorporating titanium oxide particles into cement can absorb pollutants when exposed to sunlight. It was his first hands-on, interdisciplinary research experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat summer was significant\u0026nbsp;both in starting to make sense what research could\u0026nbsp;actually look\u0026nbsp;like on a full-time day-to-day basis and also what being at Tech might be like.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the research, Lucas discovered that being on Georgia Tech\u2019s campus was just as formative. Surrounded by peers who were similarly driven, and often similarly unsure about their paths, he began to see himself as a \u201creal\u201d researcher. Meetups with fellow REU students, sessions on research communication, and structured mentorship all gave him confidence.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe impact of Lucas\u2019 REU experience didn\u2019t end there. It helped him earn a spot in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnf.cornell.edu\/education\/international\u0022\u003ECornell\u2019s international research experience program (iREU)\u003C\/a\u003E the following year. There, he worked on nanomaterials for cancer vaccine applications. The transition from cement technologies to vaccine applications became the bridge to his eventual Ph.D. focus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe REU truly became a launchpad for Sam\u0027s career, as it has for others who have come through our program,\u201d said Leslie O\u2019Neill, education outreach manager. \u201cSeveral of our former participants have returned to Georgia Tech for their Ph.D., and it\u2019s because the experience gives them clarity about research and opens doors they didn\u2019t even realize existed.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2020, Lucas arrived back on campus, where he enrolled in the \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/academics\/phd-programs\/phd-biomedical-engineering\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u2019s Joint Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E program. As part of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/thomas.gatech.edu\/thomas.html\u0022\u003ESusan Thomas\u2019 lab\u003C\/a\u003E, his research focused on nanomaterial drug delivery for cancer immunotherapy. He spent the next five and a half years working on immune system engineering and drug delivery systems.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough he had once imagined a career in oil and gas \u2014 a common trajectory for Mississippi State engineers \u2014 his REU experience pointed him in a new direction.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter defending his dissertation in 2025, Lucas is now continuing as a postdoctoral researcher in the Thomas Lab, contributing to nanomedicine projects while preparing for a future career in biotech or pharmaceuticals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe credits the REU with giving him the clarity and confidence to pursue research at the highest level. His advice to undergraduates considering the program is simple: Go for it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf you apply for it and get an offer, just go ahead and do it,\u201d said Lucas. \u201cThere\u2019s not really a downside.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESam Lucas\u2019 journey from a summer undergraduate research program to a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering highlights how early research experiences can shape long-term academic and career paths\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Sam Lucas\u2019 journey from a summer undergraduate research program to a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering highlights how early research experiences can shape long-term academic and career paths"}],"uid":"35272","created_gmt":"2026-02-16 15:33:04","changed_gmt":"2026-02-18 19:01:17","author":"aneumeister3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679288":{"id":"679288","type":"image","title":"Sam Lucas Graduation","body":null,"created":"1771255804","gmt_created":"2026-02-16 15:30:04","changed":"1771255842","gmt_changed":"2026-02-16 15:30:42","alt":"A smiling graduate stands on a tree-lined campus walkway covered with fallen leaves. He is wearing a gold doctoral gown with blue velvet panels and sleeve bars, along with a matching blue tam and tassel. Campus buildings and autumn trees are visible in the background.","file":{"fid":"263429","name":"Sam-Lucas-graduation.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-graduation.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-graduation.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":171617,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-graduation.JPG?itok=85q40lit"}},"679287":{"id":"679287","type":"image","title":"Sam Lucas hooding ","body":null,"created":"1771255645","gmt_created":"2026-02-16 15:27:25","changed":"1771255795","gmt_changed":"2026-02-16 15:29:55","alt":"During a hooding ceremony indoors, a faculty member places a doctoral hood over the shoulders of a seated graduate wearing a gold gown and blue velvet doctoral regalia. Two additional faculty members in academic dress stand nearby, smiling. Rows of rolled diplomas are visible in the background.","file":{"fid":"263428","name":"Sam-Lucas-hooding.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-hooding.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-hooding.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":136872,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-hooding.JPG?itok=1nNcLBoZ"}},"679286":{"id":"679286","type":"image","title":"Sam Lucas Japan iREU","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESam Lucas (back row, far left) during the iREU experience in Japan.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771255198","gmt_created":"2026-02-16 15:19:58","changed":"1771256125","gmt_changed":"2026-02-16 15:35:25","alt":"Nine young adults pose together outside a building on a sunny day. Some stand while two kneel in front. They are dressed casually, smiling at the camera, with trees, a sidewalk, and a building entrance sign visible behind them.","file":{"fid":"263424","name":"Sam-Lucas-iREU.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-iREU.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-iREU.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":184173,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-iREU.JPG?itok=LCWe80ir"}},"679285":{"id":"679285","type":"image","title":"Sam Lucas with Kurtis Group","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESam Lucas (far right) with members oif Kim Kurtis\u0027 research group during his summer 2018 REU.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771255142","gmt_created":"2026-02-16 15:19:02","changed":"1771256078","gmt_changed":"2026-02-16 15:34:38","alt":"A group of nine people sit together around a long wooden table in a restaurant. Plates, drinks, and condiments are on the table. The group smiles toward the camera, with framed maps and warm lighting visible in the background.","file":{"fid":"263423","name":"Sam-Lucas-with-Kim-Kurtis-group.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-with-Kim-Kurtis-group.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-with-Kim-Kurtis-group.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":137877,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/16\/Sam-Lucas-with-Kim-Kurtis-group.jpg?itok=KD_B8D-i"}}},"media_ids":["679288","679287","679286","679285"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and 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:amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAmelia Neumeister\u003C\/a\u003E | Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688337":{"#nid":"688337","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Aerospace Robotics Lab Simulates the Moon to Advance NextGen Space Robotics Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETraveling to the moon for scientific discovery is expensive. And even once you get there, operating a rover on the moon is nothing like driving on Earth \u2014 the uneven terrain, deep shadows, and unpredictable soil make autonomy essential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, what do you do if you want to design robots and their controlling algorithms for future moon visits? If you\u2019re \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/yashwanth-kumar-nakka\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYashwanth Nakka\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u003C\/strong\u003E you bring the moon to you.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENakka has recreated the moon in a research lab at Georgia Tech, hauling in seven tons of basalt rock to mimic the look and feel of the lunar surface. With dark black walls and a bright light that simulates the sun\u2019s glare, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aerospaceroboticslab.ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAerospace Robotics Lab \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E(ARL) is the only one of its kind in a university setting.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis lab will help Nakka\u2019s team of researchers understand how robotic rovers interact with the environment on the moon\u0026nbsp;\u2014 how they perceive the terrain in different sunlight conditions, for example, and how they navigate across a surface that can easily swallow a rover wheel.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFrom a research perspective, many of today\u2019s space mobility solutions still build upon algorithms developed two decades ago. This new lab positions us to pioneer the next generation of autonomous mobility technologies that can overcome unstructured terrain, environmental, and operational challenges. Advancing autonomous systems is critical to enabling deep-space exploration, supporting resource utilization, and empowering scientists to investigate new frontiers such as icy moons that may harbor subsurface oceans,\u201d said Nakka, assistant professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike the Moon\u2019s ultra-fine, clingy regolith that can coat equipment and cause severe wear and damage, Nakka\u2019s lab uses carefully selected, gem-sized basalt rocks. This material allows researchers to realistically study how robots interact with granular terrain while avoiding the need for extensive protective equipment, making experimentation safer, more efficient, and easier to conduct. When robots are driving on the surface, they experience the same shifts and movements they would in the moondust.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlgorithms that Help Rovers Think and Decide on Their Wheels\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe lab uses specialized lights that mimic the sun because lighting conditions can significantly impact rover operations. A typical rover relies on cameras to identify objects \u2014 such as determining whether something is a rock and whether the rover should drive around or over it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe rover also must assess slopes and evaluate whether the terrain is stable enough to traverse. These decisions are usually made with a human in the loop; Nakka is developing control systems that would allow the rovers to operate without that human intervention.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cLighting conditions make this process challenging,\u201d Nakka said. \u201cFor instance, direct sunlight on the camera can distort what the rover sees. One of the greatest obstacles is developing algorithms that remain robust and reliable despite these varying environmental factors.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team\u2019s algorithms will empower vehicles to independently assess their surroundings, identify safe paths, and select scientifically intriguing targets, all on their own. They also will allow the rovers to work together to explore or achieve other objectives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Developing effective algorithms requires more than simply studying a standard vehicle and attempting to adapt autonomy solutions from there. That approach limits performance, particularly when driving at high speeds,\u201d Nakka said. \u201cTo achieve truly dynamic and responsive autonomous control, our algorithms must understand how the vehicle interacts with the terrain, control for uncertainty, and incorporate that surface to wheel contact information in real time.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENext-Gen Robots for the Moon\u2019s Hidden Extremes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlongside control algorithms, Nakka and his team are crafting new robots capable of exploring harsh moon terrain and accessing challenging environments, such as lunar vents and caves. These shape changing robots, inspired by Nakka\u2019s previous work at NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), will cover territory that conventional rovers simply can\u2019t reach.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We aim to integrate robot design with algorithm development to create systems that are adaptive and capable of changing shape. For example, a rover that can crawl, lift a leg to clear debris when stuck, and continue moving\u2014demonstrating the importance of built-in adaptability.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENakka\u2019s long-term vision for autonomy is to develop a rover capable of understanding both its environmental context and its own internal state. This includes recognizing available resources as well as interpreting external conditions. Achieving this level of autonomous self and environmental awareness is expected to take approximately a decade.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, the work being done in the ARL will shape the next decade of space robotic exploration, making it possible for rovers to go farther, think faster, and survive in places no human or robot has ever gone.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENakka has recreated the moon in a research lab at Georgia Tech, hauling in seven tons of basalt rock to mimic the look and feel of the lunar surface. With dark black walls and a bright light that simulates the sun\u2019s glare, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aerospaceroboticslab.ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAerospace Robotics Lab \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E(ARL) is the only one of its kind in a university setting.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Aerospace engineers recreate the moon\u2019s difficult terrain to help next-gen space robots work together, explore, and build on the lunar surface."}],"uid":"36345","created_gmt":"2026-02-17 20:41:13","changed_gmt":"2026-02-17 20:48:29","author":"gwaddell3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-17T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-17T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679333":{"id":"679333","type":"image","title":"Aerospace-Robotics-Lab.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor \u003Cstrong\u003EYashwanth Nakka\u003C\/strong\u003E in the Aerospace Robotics Lab. (Photo: Cameron Eure)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771360166","gmt_created":"2026-02-17 20:29:26","changed":"1771360166","gmt_changed":"2026-02-17 20:29:26","alt":"Professor Yashwanth Nakka in the Aerospace Robotics Lab. (Photo: Cameron Eure)","file":{"fid":"263479","name":"Aerospace-Robotics-Lab.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/17\/Aerospace-Robotics-Lab.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/17\/Aerospace-Robotics-Lab.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2705503,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/17\/Aerospace-Robotics-Lab.jpg?itok=MXj7xQen"}}},"media_ids":["679333"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/6mfijEE-9Gc","title":" Researchers Bring the Moon\u0027s Surface to Atlanta"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2352","name":"robots"},{"id":"180895","name":"rovers"},{"id":"4191","name":"moon"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMonique Waddell\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["monique.waddell@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687820":{"#nid":"687820","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Confronting the Roadblocks in Medical Technology Innovation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/a\u003E (IMS) hosted its second Boundaries and Breakthroughs panel on Jan. 27, bringing together leading clinicians, engineers, and data experts to examine why\u0026nbsp;promising medical technologies often fail to translate into clinical practice.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModerated by IMS Executive Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/people\/eric-vogel\u0022\u003EEric Vogel\u003C\/a\u003E, the panel explored how innovation, regulation, economics and clinical realities intersect to shape the future of medical devices.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe panel featured \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/17689\u0022\u003EJon Duke\u003C\/a\u003E, physician and director of the Center for Health Analytics and Informatics at Georgia Tech Research Institute; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/matthew-t-flavin\u0022\u003EMatthew Flavin\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/people\/hyunjoo-oh\u0022\u003EHyunJoo Oh\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the schools of Industrial Design and Interactive Computing; and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/med.emory.edu\/departments\/pediatrics\/divisions\/pulmonary\/profile\/?u=LGUGLAN\u0022\u003ELokesh Guglani\u003C\/a\u003E, pediatric pulmonologist and clinician-researcher at Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVogel opened the event by highlighting the gap between technological novelty and real-world medical adoption.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAbout 75% of medical device start-ups never achieve commercial success or make it to market, and some industry estimates push this higher,\u201d Vogel said. \u201cEven those that reach the market often fail to gain meaningful adoption. This may be because technologists optimize for platforms five or 10 years out and are rewarded by novelty, whereas clinicians demand reliability, interpretability, and outcomes that hold up with real patients, real workflows, and real liability.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThroughout the discussion, panelists examined the balance between rapid innovation and clinical safety, noting that the level of invasiveness often determines how bold developers can be.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe must remember that in medicine\u2014and especially when we\u0027re dealing with human lives\u2014there\u0027s a significant asymmetry of the harm that could be done,\u201d said Guglani. \u201cEven a small change or an oversight at the design level of a medical device can have significant downstream repercussions for patients and create liability for institutions and providers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFlavin and Duke added that excessive conservatism, particularly around non-invasive wearable, can also slow potentially life-changing advancements.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll panelists agreed that breakthrough technology alone is not enough to ensure clinical adoption. Usability, workflow fit, and time efficiency often determine whether clinicians adopt a device. Tools that require lengthy calibration or add to a clinician\u2019s already tight schedule rarely succeed. Even when a technology integrates well, reimbursement barriers can prevent adoption.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cA lot of technologies come out, but then if the clinic is using them and is not being reimbursed for the time spent, that creates a bottleneck,\u201d said Guglani.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEconomic constraints also shape who benefits from innovation. Children with rare diseases, stroke survivors, and other small or heterogeneous patient groups often struggle to attract investors, even when their needs are urgent.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe panelists also discussed the dual role of regulatory and manufacturing standards. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements ensures consistent, safe production, but force teams to lock designs earlier than ideal, adding cost and slowing iteration. These requirements protect patients but also function as an economic filter for many early-stage technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe conversation then turned to data, AI, and the education of future innovators. Despite massive amounts of health data, many clinically important areas remain data\u2011scarce. Wearable devices, such as smart watches, may help close these gaps, but AI models remain limited by the quality of input data.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen asked about preparing the next generation of MedTech innovators, panelists emphasized the importance of \u201cinterface literacy\u201d or the ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries and understand how design decisions cascade into real clinical environments. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou really do have to be able to be interdisciplinary,\u201d said Duke. \u201cNow of course what makes things go is not often the knowledge of the domain, but the person\u2019s role or connectivity into the system.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVogel closed by emphasizing that successful medical technology development requires \u201congoing, honest collaboration\u201d across fields. The Boundaries and Breakthroughs series will continue that mission in February with a panel on the future of the electric grid.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EClinicians and researchers outlined why breakthrough devices often fall short in clinical settings and emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and practical workflow integration.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Clinicians and researchers outlined why breakthrough devices often fall short in clinical settings and emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and practical workflow integration."}],"uid":"35272","created_gmt":"2026-01-29 16:04:43","changed_gmt":"2026-02-16 15:15:01","author":"aneumeister3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-29T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-29T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679124":{"id":"679124","type":"image","title":"Bioelectronics and MedTech panel","body":null,"created":"1769700549","gmt_created":"2026-01-29 15:29:09","changed":"1769700715","gmt_changed":"2026-01-29 15:31:55","alt":"A panel of five speakers sits on tall stools at the front of a classroom, participating in a moderated discussion. The moderator on the left holds papers while addressing the group. A large presentation slide behind the panel displays names and academic titles. Audience members are partially visible in the foreground, and tables, chairs, and a water bottle are arranged throughout the room.","file":{"fid":"263245","name":"bioelectronics_and_medTech_panel.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/bioelectronics_and_medTech_panel.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/bioelectronics_and_medTech_panel.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":668931,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/29\/bioelectronics_and_medTech_panel.jpg?itok=C-PG3Fe5"}}},"media_ids":["679124"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and 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:amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAmelia Neumeister\u003C\/a\u003E | Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688222":{"#nid":"688222","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Ranks Among the Top 20 Universities Worldwide for U.S. Utility Patents","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EATLANTA (Feb. 12, 2026) --\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EThe National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has ranked Georgia Tech among the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/academyofinventors.org\/nai-announces-top-100-patenting-universities-worldwide-of-2025\/\u0022\u003Etop 20 universities\u003C\/a\u003E worldwide for U.S. utility patents granted in 2025. The Institute climbed to No.\u0026nbsp;19 internationally and 13 nationally\u0026nbsp;as a result of its technology licensing office generating 128 patents. The recognition underscores the Institute\u2019s success in moving research breakthroughs from the laboratory into the commercial marketplace, reflecting a coordinated intellectual property (IP) strategy that supports faculty, staff, and student inventors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur global ranking is a testament to the culture of research innovation we are fostering at Georgia Tech,\u201d said Raghupathy \u201cSiva\u201d Sivakumar, Georgia Tech\u2019s vice president of Commercialization and chief commercialization officer. \u201cOur goal is to ensure that every breakthrough in the lab has a clear, protected pathway to become a startup or product that changes lives. Breaking into the top 20 for the first time demonstrates the impact of our commercialization ecosystem in taking IP to market.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the past five years, Georgia Tech has shown steady growth in its patent output, issuing more than double the number of patents as in 2020. With utility patents as a key indicator of bench-to-market success, they serve as the legal foundation for licensing agreements, industry partnerships, and the launch of new ventures. Through Technology Licensing at Georgia Tech, researchers receive guidance on disclosure, patent strategy, and protection pathways that help translate research outcomes into real-world applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur team\u2019s mission is to serve as the gateway to smoothly transfer technologies from the lab to the real world,\u201d said Mary Albertson, director of Technology Licensing at Georgia Tech. \u201cBy partnering with researchers early in the discovery process and navigating the complexities of patent protection, we help ensure Georgia Tech innovations are positioned for meaningful economic and societal impact.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReleased annually since 2013, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/academyofinventors.org\/nai-announces-top-100-patenting-universities-worldwide-of-2025\/\u0022\u003ETop 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents ranking\u003C\/a\u003E highlights the critical role academic institutions play in the global innovation ecosystem. Through the translation of research into protected technologies, these institutions advance societal progress, while strengthening national and global economies.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EThe National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has ranked Georgia Tech among the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/academyofinventors.org\/top-100-worldwide-universities\/\u0022\u003Etop 20 universities\u003C\/a\u003E worldwide for U.S. utility patents granted in 2025.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has ranked Georgia Tech among the top 20 universities\u00a0worldwide for U.S. utility patents granted in 2025. "}],"uid":"36434","created_gmt":"2026-02-12 14:53:06","changed_gmt":"2026-02-13 21:31:37","author":"lcameron30","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679266":{"id":"679266","type":"image","title":"Space-Commercialization_040925-07.jpg","body":null,"created":"1770908150","gmt_created":"2026-02-12 14:55:50","changed":"1770908150","gmt_changed":"2026-02-12 14:55:50","alt":"Commercialization Utility Patent","file":{"fid":"263399","name":"Space-Commercialization_040925-07.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/Space-Commercialization_040925-07.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/Space-Commercialization_040925-07.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":10724949,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/12\/Space-Commercialization_040925-07.jpg?itok=HrceV5_X"}}},"media_ids":["679266"],"groups":[{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"193593","name":"gt-commercialization"},{"id":"192930","name":"gt-commercializationnews"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:lcameron30@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ELacey Cameron\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688257":{"#nid":"688257","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Christos Athanasiou to Receive 2025 Eshelby Mechanics Award for Young Faculty","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristos Athanasiou\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, has been selected to receive the 2025 Eshelby Mechanics Award for Young Faculty. Presented annually by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.asme.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the award recognizes rapidly emerging junior faculty who exemplify originality, depth, and impact in the development and application of mechanics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Eshelby Mechanics Award was established in 2012\u202fin memory of\u202fProfessor John Douglas Eshelby\u0026nbsp;to promote the field of mechanics, among young researchers. The award will be formally presented at the 2026 Applied Mechanics Division Awards Banquet during the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in November.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAthanasiou and his team advance the fundamental mechanics and physics of materials and translates these insights into systems-level design strategies that address global challenges in resource efficiency and sustainable development. His research integrates advanced experimental methods capable of capturing material behavior under realistic operational conditions, mechanics-based design principles, and tailored AI- and physics-informed modeling frameworks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, these efforts enable the development of life-cycle-efficient, cost-effective materials and structures for applications ranging from sustainable packaging to aerospace systems and space construction. His recent work published in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2502613122\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E (PNAS)\u003C\/em\u003E introduced a bioinspired framework to improve plastic recycling while addressing a foundational mechanics question: how can we build reliable structures from inherently variable materials?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAthanasiou is also the recipient of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/funding\/opportunities\/career-faculty-early-career-development-program\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2024 NSF CAREER Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ae.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/06\/christos-athanasiou-receives-asme-orr-early-career-award\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EASME Orr Early Career Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and is a Climate Tech Fellow at the New York Climate Exchange.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristos Athanasiou\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, has been selected to receive the 2025 Eshelby Mechanics Award for Young Faculty.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The award recognizes early-career researchers who\u2019ve made impactful contributions to the field of mechanics."}],"uid":"36345","created_gmt":"2026-02-13 16:57:40","changed_gmt":"2026-02-13 17:03:06","author":"gwaddell3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679280":{"id":"679280","type":"image","title":"headshot-anthansiou.png","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/christos-e-athanasiou\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristos E Athanasiou\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAssistant Professor\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1771002011","gmt_created":"2026-02-13 17:00:11","changed":"1771002011","gmt_changed":"2026-02-13 17:00:11","alt":"Christos Anthanasiou headshot","file":{"fid":"263417","name":"headshot-anthansiou.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/13\/headshot-anthansiou.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/13\/headshot-anthansiou.png","mime":"image\/png","size":943888,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/13\/headshot-anthansiou.png?itok=hBe5dgbw"}}},"media_ids":["679280"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/06\/christos-athanasiou-receives-asme-orr-early-career-award","title":"Christos Athanasiou Receives the ASME Orr Early Career Award"},{"url":"https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/georgia-tech-researchers-pioneer-eco-friendly-building-materials-earth-and-mars","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Pioneer Eco-Friendly Building Materials for Earth and Mars"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1239","name":"School of Aerospace Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"42921","name":"Exhibitions"},{"id":"42891","name":"Georgia Tech Arts"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2082","name":"aerospace engineering"}],"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\u003EMonique Waddell\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["monique.waddell@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688253":{"#nid":"688253","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Launches Institute-Wide Campus Security Authority Training ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo support ongoing efforts to strengthen campus safety, transparency, and federal compliance under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, Georgia Tech will launch mandatory Campus Security Authority (CSA) training in March.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe training is designed for employees designated as CSAs \u2014 individuals whose roles make them likely to receive reports of crimes or serious incidents from students, employees, or visitors. The initiative represents a significant step in strengthening Georgia Tech\u2019s institutional Clery compliance framework and ensuring consistent, accurate campus safety reporting.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022When a student or employee comes forward with a safety concern, it\u2019s essential that we respond quickly and appropriately,\u201d said Pamisa Scott, Clery compliance coordinator. \u201cCSA training ensures that reports are handled consistently, meet federal requirements, and support our shared commitment to a safe and transparent campus environment.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe online, role-based training will:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExplain CSA responsibilities under the Clery Act.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClarify what types of incidents must be reported.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProvide guidance on how and where to submit reports.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReinforce the importance of timely and accurate reporting.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional details, including access instructions and completion deadlines, will be shared via email with designated CSAs ahead of the training launch. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnderstanding the Clery Act\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, commonly known as the Clery Act, is a federal law that requires colleges and universities participating in federal student financial aid programs to disclose information about campus crime, safety policies, and emergency response procedures.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe law is intended to promote transparency, improve campus safety, and ensure that campus communities have access to accurate, timely information about crime and safety conditions. Compliance with the Clery Act is mandatory and enforced by the U.S. Department of Education.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a federally funded institution, Georgia Tech is required to maintain a comprehensive campus safety and crime disclosure program.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eoc.gatech.edu\/jeanne-clery-act\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELearn more about Clery requirements and reporting\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECSA Roles and Responsibilities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe Clery Act requires Georgia Tech to:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIdentify employees with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENotify those individuals of their CSA designation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETrain CSAs on their reporting responsibilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECSAs may include professionals in student affairs, housing, athletics, academic advising, conduct administration, and other designated roles.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECSAs are not responsible for investigating incidents or determining whether a crime occurred. Their responsibility is to ensure that information shared with them is promptly reported through Georgia Tech\u2019s designated Clery reporting channels.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eoc.gatech.edu\/jeanne-clery-act\/campus-security-authorities\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELearn more about the role of CSAs\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy CSA Reporting Matters\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECSA reporting helps Georgia Tech:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMaintain accurate and complete crime statistics.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIdentify trends and emerging safety concerns.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDetermine when Timely Warnings or Emergency Notifications are required.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMeet federal reporting and disclosure obligations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETo support ongoing efforts to strengthen campus safety, transparency, and federal compliance under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, Georgia Tech will launch mandatory Campus Security Authority training in March.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"To support ongoing efforts to strengthen campus safety, transparency, and federal compliance under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, Georgia Tech will launch mandatory Campus Security Authority training in March. "}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-02-13 15:14:16","changed_gmt":"2026-02-13 16:30:13","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679277":{"id":"679277","type":"image","title":"Person using laptop","body":null,"created":"1770999324","gmt_created":"2026-02-13 16:15:24","changed":"1770999324","gmt_changed":"2026-02-13 16:15:24","alt":"Person using laptop","file":{"fid":"263412","name":"21C10302-P34-003-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/13\/21C10302-P34-003-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/13\/21C10302-P34-003-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":477705,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/13\/21C10302-P34-003-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg?itok=5xWZpxbo"}}},"media_ids":["679277"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/eoc.gatech.edu\/jeanne-clery-act","title":"Clery Requirements and Reporting"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"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":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPamisa Scott\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EClery Compliance Coordinator\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:clery@gatech.edu \u0022\u003Eclery@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688226":{"#nid":"688226","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Call of Duty: Veterans Protecting Service Members","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) conducts groundbreaking research for national defense, cybersecurity, and advanced technologies, making it a natural fit for veterans who want to keep serving. At GTRI, veterans aren\u2019t merely continuing their careers; they\u2019re shaping the future of defense and ensuring that those still in uniform have the tools needed for success. Together, their work creates a stronger military \u2014 and nation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/44859\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"These veterans lead groundbreaking research that keeps U.S. soldiers safe."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) conducts groundbreaking research for national defense, cybersecurity, and advanced technologies, making it a natural fit for veterans who want to keep serving. At GTRI, veterans aren\u2019t merely continuing their careers; they\u2019re shaping the future of defense and ensuring that those still in uniform have the tools needed for success. Together, their work creates a stronger military \u2014 and nation.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"These veterans lead groundbreaking research that keeps U.S. soldiers safe. "}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2026-02-12 17:27:13","changed_gmt":"2026-02-12 21:59:42","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679268":{"id":"679268","type":"image","title":"research-for-real-life-veterans.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGTRI\u0027s Kyle Blond, Andrew Change, and Anne Clark\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770917274","gmt_created":"2026-02-12 17:27:54","changed":"1770933209","gmt_changed":"2026-02-12 21:53:29","alt":"Three people walking together outside a modern building with large glass windows and concrete columns.","file":{"fid":"263408","name":"research-for-real-life-veterans.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/research-for-real-life-veterans.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/research-for-real-life-veterans.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2309286,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/12\/research-for-real-life-veterans.jpg?itok=q1FStBRV"}}},"media_ids":["679268"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688229":{"#nid":"688229","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Rogues Gallery Brings Cutting\u2011Edge Computing to Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHidden deep within Georgia Tech is a laboratory filled with some of the most advanced and experimental computers in the world. Known as the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/crnch.gatech.edu\/rogues-gallery\/\u0022\u003ERogues Gallery\u003C\/a\u003E, this collection of early-stage, novel, and prototype computing systems allows students, faculty, and industry partners to explore and shape the future of computing \u2014 from large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) to emerging quantum technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELaunched in 2017 by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/crnch.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Novel Computing Hierarchies\u003C\/a\u003E (CRNCH), the Rogues Gallery serves as a test bed for companies seeking first users of new hardware and researchers looking to experiment at the leading edge of computing innovation. The gallery has hosted groundbreaking systems, including next-generation NVIDIA hardware and the first-of-its-kind\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/614253\/first-rogue-takes-flight-how-crnch-builds-strong-industry-partnerships\u0022\u003ELucata Emu\u003C\/a\u003E architecture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Rogues Gallery gives Georgia Tech a strategic advantage,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/jyoung3131.github.io\/\u0022\u003EJeff Young\u003C\/a\u003E, gallery director and principal research scientist in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pace.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPartnership for Advanced Computing Environments\u003C\/a\u003E (PACE).\u0026nbsp;\u201cGeorgia Tech has this opportunity to engage a larger audience with access to these test beds.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGrowing a Global Research Resource\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow approaching its 10th year, the Rogues Gallery has supported hundreds of users across Georgia Tech and around the world. With its remote-first design, the test bed has served more than 400 unique internal and external users, including over 80 partner researchers from more than 30 academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry organizations across four continents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe gallery has attracted significant public and private investment, including National Science Foundation grants and Department of Energy funding. A key feature is ongoing partnerships with industry leaders such as NVIDIA, Intel, HPE, and AMD. Current systems include Intel\u2019s Gaudi 3 hardware for large language model AI and the Sapphire Rapids Max Series for data center processing. Researchers also have access to NVIDIA\u2019s Grace Hopper superchip platform, enabling high-performance computing and large-scale AI experimentation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven local partners like thermal interface solutions provider Carbice have been able to research their product deployed at scale in a real data center environment, thanks to collaborating with the Rogues Gallery. The company knew it needed greater access to live IT hardware in a real production environment, but had limited opportunity to test at scale before the partnership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDeploying our material in a live data center environment was a milestone, but the real power was in the data: Observing existing thermal variance across the CRNCH Rogues Gallery validated our internal findings,\u201d said Craig Green, Carbice\u2019s chief technology officer. \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to the Georgia Tech team for helping us see how aging thermal materials can cause temperature differences from server to server in real data centers \u2014 and how Carbice can eliminate that variation at scale. This level of collaboration is truly unique to the Georgia Tech community.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research has been nationally recognized. The Rogues Gallery has supported the publication of more than 30 research papers, and the hosting center for the test bed, CRNCH, also organizes an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/crnch.gatech.edu\/crnch-summit-2026\/\u0022\u003Eannual summit\u003C\/a\u003E. The center and test bed have conducted 30 seminars, tutorials, and workshops since 2020 to showcase research and expand community engagement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpanding Student Research Opportunities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the gallery\u2019s most significant impacts is on student learning and professional development. The gallery serves as a hub for Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vip.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EVertically Integrated Projects\u003C\/a\u003E (VIP) program, which allows students to participate in multi-semester, faculty-led research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFourth-year computer science major Jeremy Wang joined the Rogues Gallery VIP team during his first year at Georgia Tech. Although he was initially only vaguely familiar with hardware, he discovered an interest in computer architecture through hands-on experience with the test beds.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cVIP exposed me to the world of research earlier than I would have in the classroom,\u201d Wang said. \u201cWhen I finally reached my foundational classes, they brought me up to speed on advanced concepts I had already encountered in the Rogues Gallery. That was a huge moment where I felt like everything was clicking.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang has now spent five semesters in the program and\u0026nbsp;plans to pursue a master\u2019s degree in computer science with a focus on computer architecture. His experience reflects a broader trend: Rogues Gallery projects have introduced students to fields where they can build a career.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe have this opportunity that if we build a specific test bed \u2014 like software tools for quantum computing \u2014 we can expose that area to a larger audience and really impact students,\u201d Young said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarly on, several students took advantage of the gallery\u2019s quantum computing software simulation and testing capabilities and encouraged Young to include it as a topic in the VIP class. This opportunity has led to the creation of a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatechquantum.com\/\u0022\u003EGT quantum computing student club\u003C\/a\u003E, which collaborates with Department of Energy researchers. VIP students can now pursue quantum computing Ph.D. programs or positions in quantum-focused companies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStrengthening Campuswide Computing Infrastructure\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce novel computing technologies are tested and evaluated through the Rogues Gallery, emerging technologies may transition into PACE\u2019s Institute-wide system to support research across Georgia Tech. This focus on evaluating and deploying novel technologies as part of CRNCH provides a key complement to existing, large-scale collaborative efforts hosted by PACE, such as the AI Makerspace and the upcoming Nexus supercomputer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI get excited about what hardware can do and how it can improve computing,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/aaron-jezghani\u0022\u003EAaron Jezghani\u003C\/a\u003E, PACE\u2019s architecture and platform lead and a longtime collaborator with the gallery. \u201cThese machines can help solve computing challenges we experience at PACE, or they can provide new capabilities to enable other research around campus.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven as the Rogues Gallery continues to grow, its mission remains the same: to enable discovery, accelerate innovation, and prepare the next generation of computing leaders.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Rogues Gallery is an exceptional resource, not just at Georgia Tech but around the world,\u201d Jezghani said. \u201cI don\u0027t think there\u0027s anywhere else that has this much variety in hardware for research and instruction in one system.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThis research test bed has given students and faculty early access to next-generation hardware for nearly a decade.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"This research test bed has given students and faculty early access to next-generation hardware for nearly a decade."}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2026-02-12 19:19:36","changed_gmt":"2026-02-12 19:40:15","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679269":{"id":"679269","type":"image","title":"20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-02.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECRNCH Co-Director Hyesoon Kim, Rogues Gallery Director Jeff Young, and research technologist Will Powell in the Rogues Gallery. Photo by Chris McKenney\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770923995","gmt_created":"2026-02-12 19:19:55","changed":"1770923995","gmt_changed":"2026-02-12 19:19:55","alt":"Three researchers stand in front of a rack of computing equipment.","file":{"fid":"263402","name":"20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-02.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-02.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-02.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":13062413,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/12\/20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-02.jpg?itok=seZ2vZbB"}},"679270":{"id":"679270","type":"image","title":"20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-10.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJeff Young holds a PYNQ-Z2 development boards used for FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) development.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770924624","gmt_created":"2026-02-12 19:30:24","changed":"1770924624","gmt_changed":"2026-02-12 19:30:24","alt":"A man holds a PYNQ-Z2 development boards used for FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) development. ","file":{"fid":"263403","name":"20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-10.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-10.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/12\/20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-10.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":14278662,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/12\/20251217_Rogues-Gallery-Shoot-10.jpg?itok=ZCzfkcnj"}}},"media_ids":["679269","679270"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688211":{"#nid":"688211","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Awardees Announced for Regenerative Engineering and Medicine Center Collaborative Seed Grant ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdvancing the frontiers of regenerative medicine means more than pushing scientific boundaries \u2014 it means improving and extending human life. The Regenerative Engineering and Medicine Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.regenerativeengineeringandmedicine.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EREM\u003C\/a\u003E) is a partnership with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.emory.edu\/home\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEmory University\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.uga.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E (UGA) that supports this mission through inter-institutional collaborations in research in regenerative medicine.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince 2010, competitive peer-reviewed seed grants have been awarded annually to interdisciplinary teams with representation from at least two of the three institutions, leading to clinical trials, licensed technologies, start-up companies, and external funding for additional research. The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EIBB\u003C\/a\u003E) is excited to announce the 2026 REM Collaborative Seed Grant awardees: Melissa Kemp (Georgia Tech) and Rabindra Tirouvanziam (Emory); Yang Liu (UGA) and Yong Teng (Emory); and Steven Stice (UGA) and Zhexing Wen (Emory).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKemp and Tirouvanziam were awarded funding for their proposal, \u201cPredicting Personalized Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Responses for Directed Myeloid\u2011Targeted Immunotherapy.\u201d Their project combines computer modeling and lab\u2011grown lung tissue to better understand how immune cells communicate during lung infections and inflammation in different people. This research could help scientists design more precise, patient\u2011specific therapies for respiratory diseases, potentially improving treatments for conditions ranging from viral infections to chronic inflammation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We are grateful for the support from REM that allows us to extend our labs into new, interdisciplinary research,\u201d Kemp said. \u201cThis pilot project will allow us to develop and experimentally validate multicellular models of the lung environment. Our goal is to use our platforms to test potential therapeutics that operate by controlling communication between cell types.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is wonderful to be supported by REM for this collaboration between Georgia Tech and Emory labs,\u201d Tirouvanziam agreed. \u201cWe hope to turn this pilot into a large extramural project with a focus on novel immunotherapy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELiu and Teng were awarded funding for their proposal, \u201cAI\u2011Guided Profiling of Migratory Cancer Stem Cell Communication in Head and Neck Cancer.\u201d\u0026nbsp; Their project aims to uncover how the most aggressive cancer stem cells move and \u201ctalk\u201d to nearby immune and tissue cells, using advanced microfluidic tools and artificial intelligence to study how these cells help cancer spread and resist treatment.\u0026nbsp; Understanding these hidden communication pathways could lead to earlier detection of dangerous cancer cell types and inspire new therapies that prevent recurrence and improve survival for patients with head and neck cancer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe combine microfluidic tools with artificial intelligence to monitor individual cancer cells in action and study how they interact with the immune microenvironment \u2014 capturing behaviors that are missed in bulk experiments and shedding light on how aggressive cancer cells escape therapy,\u201d Liu said of the project.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStice and Wen were awarded funding for their application, \u201cUse of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Organoids to Assess Mesenchymal Stromal Cell\u2013Derived Extracellular Vesicles Mechanism of Action.\u201d\u0026nbsp; Their project uses lab\u2011grown human brain organoids to study how tiny therapeutic particles called extracellular vesicles that are released by stem cells might reduce brain inflammation and protect neurons affected by Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u0026nbsp; Revealing how these vesicles work at a molecular level could help advance new treatments that go beyond symptom management and move toward slowing or preventing Alzheimer\u2019s progression.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are used in the body to communicate with cells around an injury and are known to repair brain tissue in Alzheimer\u2019s animal models,\u201d Stice said.\u0026nbsp; \u201cUnderstanding the signaling mechanisms used by EVs in Alzheimer\u2019s brain organoids will directly lead to better EV manufacturing processes and potency for neurodegenerative diseases, and ultimately better therapies.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s funded work illustrates how collaboration across institutions accelerates discoveries. Together, these teams are pushing healing technologies closer to real\u2011world impact, where they can make a tangible difference for patients affected by serious illness.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThe 2026 Regenerative Engineering and Medicine (REM) Collaborative Seed Grants have been awarded to three interdisciplinary research teams from Georgia Tech, Emory University, and the University of Georgia, supporting innovative projects in personalized immunotherapy, cancer metastasis, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Together, these collaborations advance the frontiers of regenerative medicine and accelerate the development of next\u2011generation therapies with the potential to transform patient care.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The 2026 awards support three cross\u2011institutional teams advancing innovative research in personalized immunotherapy, cancer stem cell communication, and therapies for Alzheimer\u2019s disease. "}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-02-11 21:18:14","changed_gmt":"2026-02-11 21:26:17","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-11T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-11T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679264":{"id":"679264","type":"image","title":"cancer-technologies.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1770845087","gmt_created":"2026-02-11 21:24:47","changed":"1770845087","gmt_changed":"2026-02-11 21:24:47","alt":"Illustration of cancer cells, with a highlighted tumor cell in the center targeted by a digital crosshair.","file":{"fid":"263397","name":"cancer-technologies.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/11\/cancer-technologies.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/11\/cancer-technologies.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8956181,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/11\/cancer-technologies.jpeg?itok=SCsWPN9q"}}},"media_ids":["679264"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ashlie.bowman@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686337":{"#nid":"686337","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Hosts Annual Summit Devoted to Pediatric Health Innovation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EImagine a world where pediatric gastrointestinal disease could be diagnosed by swallowing a capsule-sized camera, where heart defects could be corrected by biodegradable implants, and where ADHD could be diagnosed through virtual reality. Georgia Tech and its partners are helping bring these world-changing ideas to life.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn Nov. 5 \u2013 6, Georgia Tech hosted the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ispi4kids.org\/phis2025\/\u0022\u003EPediatric Healthcare Innovation Summit 2025\u003C\/a\u003E (PHIS), a one-of-a-kind event that brought champions of children\u2019s health together to share knowledge, facilitate collaborative initiatives, and accelerate medical innovation. The summit was co-presented by the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pediatrics.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPediatric Innovation Network\u003C\/a\u003E (PIN), the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ispi4kids.org\/about\/\u0022\u003EInternational Society for Pediatric Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E (ISPI), and the FDA-funded \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/industry\/medical-products-rare-diseases-and-conditions\/pediatric-device-consortia-grants-program\u0022\u003EPediatric Device Consortia\u003C\/a\u003E (PDC).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event included a tour of the new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.choa.org\/locations\/arthur-m-blank-hospital\u0022\u003EArthur M. Blank Hospital\u003C\/a\u003E, technology showcases, workshops, panel discussions, a poster session, and a pitch competition where companies were awarded funding from the Pediatric Device Consortia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech is committed to advancing medicine, but in particular pediatric medicine, which is normally underfunded compared to adult healthcare,\u201d Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera said. \u201cWe are committed to playing our part, and we\u0027re doing that in partnership with the best organizations, combining our engineering skills with clinical partners who understand the most important needs of children.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECabrera was a guest speaker for the event, which took place at two locations across campus: the newly opened \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/realestate.gatech.edu\/science-square\u0022\u003EScience Square\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/studentcenter.gatech.edu\/historic-academy-medicine\u0022\u003EHistoric Academy of Medicine\u003C\/a\u003E. He emphasized that championing causes such as pediatric healthcare innovation not only aligns with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/strategicplan.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s mission\u003C\/a\u003E, but also with the vision surrounding the new infrastructure being built across campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u0027re committed to turning our city and our neighborhood into a hub of innovation, and the area of life sciences is one of those areas that we are supporting \u2014 including our new Science Square neighborhood, which is devoted to precisely this,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough industry events happen every year, what makes PHIS unique is its goal of uniting not only clinicians and healthcare administrators, but also researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs. \u0026nbsp;Attendees are united around a shared goal of solving systemic problems and, ultimately, saving and improving the lives of children. Julia Kubanek, Georgia Tech\u2019s Vice President for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/interdisciplinary-research\u0022\u003EInterdisciplinary Research\u003C\/a\u003E, said that this collaborative approach provides a unique opportunity to progress ideas and technologies that impact the industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cParticularly in the pediatric space, the market is relatively small. When you have a specialized pediatric technology, it\u0027s sometimes difficult to get the resources to advance that into clinical trials and into products that can go to market,\u201d she said. \u201cThis environment that the summit creates is a supportive one for solving those problems and advancing life-saving research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile this was the third year that the event featured a pitch competition, it was the first year that winners were awarded monetary prizes. By bringing startups and investors together, the PHIS plays a vital role in getting impactful research from conceptual to consumer ready. This year\u2019s winners included: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luminoah.com\/\u0022\u003ELuminoah\u003C\/a\u003E in first place, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rhaeos.com\/\u0022\u003ERhaeos\u003C\/a\u003E in second, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.acqumenmedical.com\/\u0022\u003EAcQumen Medical\u003C\/a\u003E in third.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough the event does encourage friendly competition, the ultimate goal remains to improve the lives of children and their families through collaboration, thought leadership, and innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur north star is taking care of children,\u201d Anthony Chang, founder of ISPI, said in his opening remarks. \u201cI think we underestimate how much we learn together. I look at our jobs not as jobs but as a special calling \u2014 taking care of children.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to PIN, ISPI, and PDC, the event was sponsored by Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/corporate.gatech.edu\/?utm_source=research\u0026amp;utm_medium=website\u0026amp;utm_id=092023\u0022\u003EOffice of Corporate Engagement\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.shrinerschildrens.org\/en\u0022\u003EShriner\u2019s Children\u2019s Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.choa.org\/\u0022\u003EChildren\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgia.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Department of Economic Development\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gra.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Research Alliance\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.icanresearch.org\/\u0022\u003EInternational Children\u2019s Advisory Network\u003C\/a\u003E, among others.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOn Nov. 5 \u2013 6, Georgia Tech hosted the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ispi4kids.org\/phis2025\/\u0022\u003EPediatric Healthcare Innovation Summit 2025\u003C\/a\u003E (PHIS), a one-of-a-kind event that brought champions of children\u2019s health together to share knowledge, facilitate collaborative initiatives, and accelerate medical innovation. The summit was co-presented by the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pediatrics.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPediatric Innovation Network\u003C\/a\u003E (PIN), the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ispi4kids.org\/about\/\u0022\u003EInternational Society for Pediatric Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E (ISPI), and the FDA-funded \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/industry\/medical-products-rare-diseases-and-conditions\/pediatric-device-consortia-grants-program\u0022\u003EPediatric Device Consortia\u003C\/a\u003E (PDC).\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Pediatric Healthcare Innovation Summit 2025 convened experts, entrepreneurs, and clinicians to accelerate breakthrough technologies and collaborative solutions aimed at transforming pediatric care."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2025-11-10 23:39:49","changed_gmt":"2026-02-11 19:33:13","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678590":{"id":"678590","type":"image","title":"20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg","body":null,"created":"1762818046","gmt_created":"2025-11-10 23:40:46","changed":"1762818046","gmt_changed":"2025-11-10 23:40:46","alt":"President \u00c1ngel Cabrera of Georgia Tech stands at a podium and delivers a speech.","file":{"fid":"262645","name":"20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/10\/20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/10\/20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1306762,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/10\/20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg?itok=GllnmzPt"}}},"media_ids":["678590"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ashlie.bowman@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688180":{"#nid":"688180","#data":{"type":"news","title":"National Academy of Engineering Elects David McDowell","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMechanical engineer \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/mcdowell\u0022\u003EDavid McDowell\u003C\/a\u003E is among the newest members of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nae.edu\/\u0022\u003ENational Academy of Engineering (NAE)\u003C\/a\u003E, the organization announced Feb. 10.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMcDowell is one \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nae.edu\/345149\/NAENewClass2026\u0022\u003E130\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Enew members and 28 international members in the 2026 class\u003C\/a\u003E. Election to the NAE is among the highest professional recognitions for engineers and an honor bestowed on just 2,900 professionals worldwide. New members are nominated and voted on by the Academy\u2019s existing membership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMcDowell is Georgia Tech\u2019s 50th NAE member. He is Regents\u2019 Professor Emeritus in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Materials Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/national-academy-engineering-elects-david-mcdowell\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead the full story about McDowell on the College of Engineering website.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor emeritus and founding executive director of the Institute for Materials is recognized for his computational work modeling metal alloys and designing materials.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Professor emeritus and founding executive director of the Institute for Materials is recognized for his computational work modeling metal alloys and designing materials."}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2026-02-11 14:31:09","changed_gmt":"2026-02-11 14:33:17","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"632634":{"id":"632634","type":"image","title":"David McDowell, director of Institute for Materials","body":null,"created":"1582061091","gmt_created":"2020-02-18 21:24:51","changed":"1582061091","gmt_changed":"2020-02-18 21:24:51","alt":"Portrait of Dave McDowell","file":{"fid":"240706","name":"dave-mcdowell-portrait.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/dave-mcdowell-portrait.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/dave-mcdowell-portrait.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":433259,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/dave-mcdowell-portrait.jpg?itok=nrWuXVEC"}}},"media_ids":["632634"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"70331","name":"David McDowell"},{"id":"1141","name":"national academy of engineering"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and 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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jstewart@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJoshua Stewart\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jstewart@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688134":{"#nid":"688134","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Wine, Science, and Spectroscopy: Georgia Tech Outreach Produces Published Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENew work from Georgia Tech is showing how a simple glass of wine can serve as a powerful gateway for understanding advanced research and technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe project, inspired by an Atlanta Science Festival event hosted by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/andrew-mcshan\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndrew McShan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, develops an innovative outreach and teaching module around nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, and is designed for easy adoption in introductory chemistry and biochemistry courses.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPublished earlier this year in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EJournal of Chemical Education,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ethe study, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acs.jchemed.5c00652\u0022\u003EAutomated Chemical Profiling of Wine by Solution NMR Spectroscopy: A Demonstration for Outreach and Education\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d was led by a team from the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry including lead author McShan, Ph.D. students\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELily Capeci\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EElizabeth A. Corbin, Ruoqing Jia\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMiriam K. Simma\u003C\/strong\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EF. N. U. Vidya\u003C\/strong\u003E, Academic Professional\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMary E. Peek\u003C\/strong\u003E, and Georgia Tech NMR Center Co-Directors\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJohannes E. Leisen\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u003Cstrong\u003E Hongwei Wu\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cNMR is one of the most widely used analytical tools in chemistry and the life sciences, and Georgia Tech hosts one of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/nmr-center\/\u0022\u003Ethe most cutting-edge NMR centers\u003C\/a\u003E in the world,\u201d McShan says. \u201cOur study shows that you don\u2019t need advanced training to appreciate how powerful tools like NMR work and how those tools are used in research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAll materials, tutorials, and data are freely available via\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mcshan.chemistry.gatech.edu\/static\/outreach\/2025_Tutorial_Wine%20NMR.pdf\u0022\u003Eonline tutorials\u003C\/a\u003E and a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9_QPgV14mbs\u0022\u003EYouTube video\u003C\/a\u003E, enabling educators to replicate or adapt the activity even in settings with limited access to NMR facilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWine sleuthing at the Atlanta Science Festival\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrom families with K-12 students to undergraduates to adults with no prior chemistry experience, nearly 130 visitors explored wine chemistry at the Georgia Tech NMR Center during the Atlanta Science Festival event. With McShan\u2019s guidance, they identified and quantified more than 70 chemical components that influence wine taste, aroma, and quality by analyzing the chemical composition, structure, and dynamics of molecules.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETaking on the role of wine investigators (a real-world application of NMR), the group investigated examples of wine fraud, learning to identify harmful additives like methanol, antifreeze, and lead acetate \u2013 additives that played roles in both historical and modern wine scandals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cBy connecting the science to something familiar like wine, we were able to spark curiosity and excitement across age groups,\u201d says McShan. \u201cThis a framework for how complex analytical techniques can be made inclusive, interactive, and inspiring whether in the classroom or at a science festival.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScience for all\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study underscores the potential of NMR and other powerful technologies as outreach opportunities \u2013 from engaging the public to better teaching undergraduate students.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAfter the event, adults said they learned how chemical composition affects wine characteristics and how NMR is used in research and industry,\u201d McShan says. \u201cYounger participants learned key concepts about wine composition and found benefits from the sensory elements, like watching the spectrometer in action.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThey aim to use these takeaways to continue developing outreach tools. \u201cMy end goal is to develop NMR into a practical teaching tool by grounding the technique in real-world examples,\u201d adds McShan. \u201cUsing this approach is a clear avenue to introducing the general public to the world-class instruments used by researchers at Georgia Tech and exposing undergraduate students to the powerful analytical techniques they are likely to encounter throughout their careers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: National Science Foundation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew work from Georgia Tech is showing how a simple glass of wine can serve as a powerful gateway for understanding advanced research and technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New work from Georgia Tech is showing how a simple glass of wine can serve as a powerful gateway for understanding advanced research and technologies."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-02-09 17:35:37","changed_gmt":"2026-02-10 14:14:53","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679226":{"id":"679226","type":"image","title":"The study underscores the potential of NMR and other powerful technologies as outreach opportunities \u2013 from engaging the public, to better teaching undergraduate students.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe study underscores the potential of NMR and other powerful technologies as outreach opportunities \u2013 from engaging the public, to better teaching undergraduate students.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770658548","gmt_created":"2026-02-09 17:35:48","changed":"1770658548","gmt_changed":"2026-02-09 17:35:48","alt":"An abstract glass of wine consisting of points, lines, and shapes.","file":{"fid":"263359","name":"AdobeStock_212736055.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/09\/AdobeStock_212736055.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/09\/AdobeStock_212736055.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1267237,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/09\/AdobeStock_212736055.jpeg?itok=cjJ2nonC"}},"673456":{"id":"673456","type":"image","title":"Andrew McShan","body":null,"created":"1711032511","gmt_created":"2024-03-21 14:48:31","changed":"1711032492","gmt_changed":"2024-03-21 14:48:12","alt":"Andrew McShan","file":{"fid":"256854","name":"McShan_photo.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/21\/McShan_photo.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/21\/McShan_photo.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":96566,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/03\/21\/McShan_photo.jpeg?itok=aCepzxdB"}}},"media_ids":["679226","673456"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"42921","name":"Exhibitions"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"194631","name":"cos-georgia"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688047":{"#nid":"688047","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Southwest Georgia Students Put New Manufacturing Skills to the Test in Tri\u2011District Race","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents from three Southwest Georgia high schools put their engineering skills to the test at the Advanced Manufacturing Program\u2019s first tri\u2011district race, showcasing custom cars they designed and built. With strong support from educators, industry partners, and local leaders, the program is fostering homegrown technical talent. As AMP expands to six schools, communities are beginning to imagine new possibilities for their future workforce.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/44900\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Advanced Manufacturing Pathways program brought three school districts together for a hands\u2011on competition in Bainbridge, highlighting early progress in workforce development and the program\u2019s expansion to six schools."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents from three Southwest Georgia high schools put their engineering skills to the test at the Advanced Manufacturing Program\u2019s first tri\u2011district race, showcasing custom cars they designed and built. With strong support from educators, industry partners, and local leaders, the program is fostering homegrown technical talent. As AMP expands to six schools, communities are beginning to imagine new possibilities for their future workforce.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Students from three Southwest Georgia high schools showcased custom\u2011built cars at the Advanced Manufacturing Program\u2019s first tri\u2011district race, highlighting a growing, community\u2011supported effort to develop local technical talent as the program expands to "}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2026-02-05 18:05:22","changed_gmt":"2026-02-09 19:02:58","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-05T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-05T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679198":{"id":"679198","type":"image","title":"Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-003.JPG","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents from three Southwest Georgia high schools put their engineering skills to the test at the Advanced Manufacturing Program\u2019s first tri\u2011district race, showcasing custom cars they designed and built. With strong support from educators, industry partners, and local leaders, the program is fostering homegrown technical talent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770314966","gmt_created":"2026-02-05 18:09:26","changed":"1770314966","gmt_changed":"2026-02-05 18:09:26","alt":"A row of small, student\u2011designed model race cars displayed on a table, each placed on top of design sheets in a gym setting.","file":{"fid":"263329","name":"Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-003.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-003.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-003.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2160842,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/05\/Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-003.JPG?itok=ZxLJOdUD"}},"679197":{"id":"679197","type":"image","title":"Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-070.JPG","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEach car on the track represents hours of programming, 3D printing, machining, and iterative design completed by students in the AMP program.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770314737","gmt_created":"2026-02-05 18:05:37","changed":"1770314737","gmt_changed":"2026-02-05 18:05:37","alt":"wo small student\u2011designed race cars positioned at the starting line of a metal track, with a digital timer display and spectators in the background at an Advanced Manufacturing competition.","file":{"fid":"263328","name":"Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-070.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-070.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-070.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1757893,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/05\/Tri-District-Advanded-Manufacturing-Pathways-Race-070.JPG?itok=KdkWe7rA"}}},"media_ids":["679198","679197"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193654","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688044":{"#nid":"688044","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Grading 2025\u2019s Biggest Predictions and What They Signal for 2026","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAt the start of 2025, forecasts were confident: Automation would accelerate, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption would surge, and the economic picture would clarify. A year later, the report card is mixed. Predictions were directionally right but overly optimistic about the speed of change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConsumer Behavior: Confidence Lagged; Spending Did Not\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGrade: C\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConsumer forecasts were among the least accurate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cConsumer confidence started the year at low levels,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/bond\/index.html\u0022\u003ESamuel Bond\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor of marketing in the Scheller College of Business. Many analysts expected households to pull back, particularly on discretionary spending. Instead, consumers kept spending \u2014 especially on travel, dining, and entertainment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBond notes a persistent gap between sentiment and behavior. \u201cPeople expressed worry, but they did not significantly reduce spending.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe also points to a major 2025 shift: the rise of AI \u201cshopping assistants.\u201d Rather than using search engines or retailer sites, consumers increasingly turned to tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and other bots that consolidate search, comparison, and advice.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAutomation Expectations: Progress Without the Breakthrough\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGrade: B-\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupply chain automation was expected to leap forward in 2025, but progress came in targeted pockets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201c2025 did not deliver a broad, step-change leap in automation performance,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/chris-gaffney\u0022\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of the practice in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE). \u201cInstead, it delivered selective progress.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAutomation delivered the most value in tightly scoped environments with clear ownership, particularly in new distribution and manufacturing facilities. Semi-automated systems that supported human judgment and stabilized throughput outperformed complex retrofits that promised full automation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EForecasts missed by assuming technology alone could overcome workforce readiness, data gaps, and organizational complexity. \u201cThe gap between expectation and reality was less about technology and more about readiness to operate automated systems day-to-day,\u201d Gaffney says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill, Gaffney gives 2025 a B-, calling it \u201ca healthy, if humbling, outcome\u201d that reset expectations and clarified what actually matters heading into 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EArtificial Intelligence: Adoption Advanced; Hype Outran Reality\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGrade: Hard to define\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo trend attracted more hype in 2025 than AI, and predictions routinely overshot reality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s been so much hype around AI that keeping track of specific forecasts is difficult,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/jorge-alberto-huertas-patino\u0022\u003EJorge Huertas\u003C\/a\u003E, a researcher in the ISyE. \u201cAI has grown in many different areas and scopes, but not at the pace it was hyped.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome applications matured quickly, particularly code generation and AI tools embedded into existing platforms. \u201cClaude has grown very well with code generation, and Gemini has grown by integrating across the Google ecosystem,\u201d Huertas says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther highly touted areas lagged. \u201cAgentic AI was hyped, only to see many cases where engineers spent two or three times longer fixing errors from AI-generated code,\u201d he adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI delivered the most value when narrowly applied to the right problems. Looking ahead, Huertas points to accuracy, guardrails, and regulation, rather than model capability, as the key constraints shaping AI\u2019s 2026 trajectory.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/hsu\/index.html\u0022\u003EAlex Hsu\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the Scheller College of Business, notes that business adoption is accelerating regardless. \u201cThe AI revolution is here to stay,\u201d he says. \u201cTech companies are investing hundreds of billions in large language models and data centers, while companies outside tech are using models to improve margins. This will heighten competition and put downward pressure on the labor market.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEconomic Outlook: Forecasts Tested by Policy Volatility\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGrade: C+\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEconomic predictions faced unusual turbulence in 2025, driven largely by rapid policy shifts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201c2025 was a difficult year to forecast gross domestic product (GDP) growth given the immense number of changes in policy at the federal level,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/b76871d2-194b-510a-b3cb-f6d4c7b16f0f\u0022\u003EDanny Woodbury\u003C\/a\u003E, lecturer in the School of Economics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarly forecasts projected solid growth in the first quarter, but GDP instead contracted slightly as government spending fell and imports surged following tariff announcements. \u201cForecasters did not foresee the magnitude of the shift in trade policy,\u201d Woodbury says, noting that projections only converged with reality weeks before official data releases.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELater in the year, export growth pushed GDP forecasts sharply higher, again catching analysts off guard.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHsu adds that inflation and unemployment will be the key indicators to watch in 2026 as the Federal Reserve balances price stability with employment amid rising bond yields and global fiscal pressures complicating the outlook.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat Forecasters Should Adjust Going Forward\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross sectors, 2025 revealed a common blind spot: Predictions assumed smoother execution than reality allowed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor 2026, experts point to discipline over hype, operational readiness over technology promises, policy risk over static models, and actual behavior over stated intentions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs Gaffney puts it: \u201c2026 will reward operators who treat automation as a system to be run, not a solution to be bought.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAt the start of 2025, experts predicted rapid advances in automation, artificial intelligence adoption, consumer pullbacks, and clearer economic signals, but a year later the results are mixed. A review of 2025 forecasts shows that while predictions across AI, supply chain automation, consumer behavior, and the U.S. economy were largely directionally correct, they overstated the speed of change. Consumers continued spending despite low confidence, automation advanced in targeted applications rather than delivering broad breakthroughs, and AI adoption grew unevenly as hype outpaced real-world performance. Economic forecasts were repeatedly disrupted by policy volatility, trade shifts, and inflation pressures. Together, these outcomes suggest that 2026 will reward disciplined execution, operational readiness, and realistic expectations over overly optimistic predictions.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Experts provide a measured review of forecasts across automation, AI, consumer behavior, and the economy"}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2026-02-05 16:17:54","changed_gmt":"2026-02-05 16:31:45","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-05T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-05T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679193":{"id":"679193","type":"image","title":"2026 predictions","body":null,"created":"1770306898","gmt_created":"2026-02-05 15:54:58","changed":"1770308012","gmt_changed":"2026-02-05 16:13:32","alt":"Businessman holding magnifying glass focusing on year 2026 with digital icons of innovation, AI, analytics, and global strategy. Concept of future planning, technology trends and vision. ","file":{"fid":"263324","name":"AdobeStock_1684428911.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/AdobeStock_1684428911.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/AdobeStock_1684428911.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":554430,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/05\/AdobeStock_1684428911.jpeg?itok=8Qk89EKv"}}},"media_ids":["679193"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"113741","name":"predictions"},{"id":"188571","name":"consumer behavior"},{"id":"290","name":"Economy"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Media Relations Representative\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688027":{"#nid":"688027","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Adjustments Ahead for Travel Around Tech Green ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the coming weeks, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/police.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Police Department\u003C\/a\u003E (GTPD) will begin enforcing changes to mobility around Tech Green. These changes support the continued growth at the heart of campus and are designed to ensure a safer experience for the campus community. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs campus activity and foot traffic in the area continues to increase, the walkways around Tech Green will be designated for pedestrians and ADA mobility devices. Cyclists, scooters, and other micromobility users will be required to dismount and walk their devices during peak pedestrian traffic, generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; exceptions or extensions may be made at the discretion of GTPD. Additionally, golf cart users will need to use alternate pathways around campus rather than these walkways.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDuring peak times throughout the week, Tech Green experiences its highest level of activity \u2014 from events and food trucks to heavy foot traffic and class transitions,\u201d said Chief Robert Connolly. \u201cManaging the safe exchange between micromobility users and pedestrians during these high-density periods is essential to protecting everyone who shares the space.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EWhat to Expect:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the next few weeks, physical bollards will be installed around portions of Tech Green. These barriers are designed to:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EControl access.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGuide movement and traffic flow through the area.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProtect pedestrians on sidewalks, paths, and green spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESupport the safe use of Tech Green, as campus density increases.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EWhat Is Allowed:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPedestrians.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMicromobility users\u003Cstrong\u003E walking \u003C\/strong\u003Etheir devices (such as bicycles and scooters).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWheelchairs and other mobility aids.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EWhat Is Not Allowed:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDriving golf carts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERiding on micromobility devices.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EWhat Is Allowed With GTPD Approval:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFood trucks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGeorgia Tech service vehicles.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EContractors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEvent access.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELocation signage, pathway decals, and public safety personnel will be installed to assist in adopting this new safety initiative.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis project is part of a broader, phased approach to improving safety and accessibility in high-traffic areas. Additional details, including timelines and guidance, will be shared as the initiative moves forward.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the coming weeks, the Georgia Tech Police Department will begin enforcing changes to mobility around Tech Green.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In the coming weeks, the Georgia Tech Police Department will begin enforcing changes to mobility around Tech Green."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-02-04 19:44:09","changed_gmt":"2026-02-05 16:30:10","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679195":{"id":"679195","type":"image","title":"Tech Green Walkways","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe walkways around Tech Green are some of the busiest on campus.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770308917","gmt_created":"2026-02-05 16:28:37","changed":"1770308917","gmt_changed":"2026-02-05 16:28:37","alt":"Tech Green Walkways","file":{"fid":"263326","name":"TechArts-Festival-004.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/TechArts-Festival-004.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/TechArts-Festival-004.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1303999,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/05\/TechArts-Festival-004.jpg?itok=sBWUUmA5"}},"679191":{"id":"679191","type":"image","title":"Tech Green Dismount Zone Map","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETech Green Dismount Zone Map\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770298538","gmt_created":"2026-02-05 13:35:38","changed":"1770298538","gmt_changed":"2026-02-05 13:35:38","alt":"Tech Green Dismount Zone Map","file":{"fid":"263322","name":"Tech-Green-Dismount-Zone-Ma--Solid-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/Tech-Green-Dismount-Zone-Ma--Solid-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/05\/Tech-Green-Dismount-Zone-Ma--Solid-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":271454,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/05\/Tech-Green-Dismount-Zone-Ma--Solid-.jpg?itok=VofkjgYV"}},"679190":{"id":"679190","type":"image","title":"walkyourwheels.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWalk Your Wheels signage will be installed around Tech Green.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770298482","gmt_created":"2026-02-05 13:34:42","changed":"1770379714","gmt_changed":"2026-02-06 12:08:34","alt":"Walk Your Wheels","file":{"fid":"263334","name":"walkyourwheels.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/06\/walkyourwheels.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/06\/walkyourwheels.png","mime":"image\/png","size":574309,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/06\/walkyourwheels.png?itok=XaLibu_u"}}},"media_ids":["679195","679191","679190"],"groups":[{"id":"1303","name":"GT Police Department"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:gena.snead@police.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGena Snead\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech Police Department\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687117":{"#nid":"687117","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech-Europe FYSA Film Festival Highlights Transformative Learning Abroad","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst-year undergraduate students studying at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/europe.gatech.edu\/en\/undergraduate-get-started\/undergraduate-programs\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech-Europe\u003C\/a\u003E in the First Year Semester Abroad (FYSA) program showcased their learning outcomes at a film festival on Dec. 2, in Metz, France. The event served as the culminating activity for the FYSA course, Communication and Culture, led by Jennifer Orth-Veillon, FYSA faculty director at Georgia Tech-Europe. The course offers a chronological, comprehensive exploration of European history and society through guided tours of key historical sites.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrth-Veillon explains that the film project provides a framework for students to reflect on their intercultural communication experiences and make connections between places, cultural identities, and histories. The course is designed to foster adaptive skills and confidence in navigating uncertainty and unfamiliar situations in an international setting. For the first eight weeks, students participate in hands-on experiential learning about international travel. With guidance from Orth-Veillon, they plan trips, navigate public transit, and deal with unexpected travel challenges. Later, they use these skills during independent travel.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Jayson Gonzalez, a student in the program, this marks his first experience traveling outside of the U.S. The experience has broadened his perspective and helped him move beyond cultural stereotypes and initial apprehensions about engaging with people in an unfamiliar culture. Tommy Vo, another first-year student, noted that the film project required him to \u201ctalk to people and understand their culture from their point of view.\u201d He emphasized that this method is more effective for learning than simply reading about cultures in textbooks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth Gonzalez and Vo credit their experiences with helping them gain the self-confidence to live independently for the first time. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m sustaining myself, and I\u2019m enriching myself,\u201d Gonzalez said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrth-Veillon views the FYSA program as often transformative for students. \u201cThey have a richer vision of the world and more confidence in their abilities to navigate cultural differences and ambiguity,\u201d she said. According to research from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.forumea.org\/alumni-study-2025.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EForum on Education Abroad\u003C\/a\u003E, 90% of education abroad alumni surveyed reported that their experiences helped them build job skills, including adaptability and intercultural communication, which significantly affected their overall career trajectory.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the FYSA program comes to an end, Vo shared his mixed feelings about leaving Metz.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI want to stay and continue experiencing all these things. But I also know there\u2019s way more in the world to discover and explore,\u201d he said. Gonzalez echoed the sentiment. \u201cThis world is so much bigger than any of us, any of our problems, and it is worth seeing,\u201d he said. \u201cThe reason our degrees and careers are meaningful is that they contribute to this world. I don\u2019t think any program could have shown me that better than this one. To experience all that while also furthering my academic enrichment has been the most rewarding thing.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrth-Veillon\u2019s vision for the film festival project stems from her interest in sharing the transformative learning outcomes of cohort travel more broadly with the Georgia Tech community. Georgia Tech-Europe recently celebrated 35 years of operation and is hosting its fifth FYSA cohort. To learn more about Georgia Tech-Europe and the FYSA program, visit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/firstyearabroad.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Efirstyearabroad.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFirst-year students in the Georgia Tech-Europe FYSA program showcased their growth in intercultural communication and independent living through a culminating film festival in Metz, France.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"First-year students in the Georgia Tech-Europe FYSA program showcased their growth in intercultural communication and independent living through a culminating film festival in Metz, France."}],"uid":"36779","created_gmt":"2026-01-08 19:35:24","changed_gmt":"2026-02-04 17:22:04","author":"tcran3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-08T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-08T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679075":{"id":"679075","type":"image","title":"FYSA-Students-in-Metz.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFYSA Students in Metz, France\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1769184118","gmt_created":"2026-01-23 16:01:58","changed":"1769184118","gmt_changed":"2026-01-23 16:01:58","alt":"FYSA Students in Metz, France","file":{"fid":"263191","name":"FYSA-Students-in-Metz.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/23\/FYSA-Students-in-Metz.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/23\/FYSA-Students-in-Metz.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7912222,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/23\/FYSA-Students-in-Metz.jpg?itok=3OqYvQ6P"}},"679076":{"id":"679076","type":"image","title":"FYSA Students at film festival","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFYSA Students at film festival\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1769184173","gmt_created":"2026-01-23 16:02:53","changed":"1769184173","gmt_changed":"2026-01-23 16:02:53","alt":"FYSA Students at film festival","file":{"fid":"263192","name":"FYSA-Students-at-FYSA-Film-Festival-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/23\/FYSA-Students-at-FYSA-Film-Festival-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/23\/FYSA-Students-at-FYSA-Film-Festival-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6845903,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/23\/FYSA-Students-at-FYSA-Film-Festival-copy.jpg?itok=7X2CglmD"}}},"media_ids":["679075","679076"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/europe.gatech.edu\/en","title":"Georgia Tech-Europe"}],"groups":[{"id":"54809","name":"Georgia Tech-Europe (GTE)"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"194248","name":"International Education"}],"keywords":[{"id":"191566","name":"Georgia Tech-Europe"},{"id":"190213","name":"First-year Semester Abroad"},{"id":"194890","name":"transformative learning"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:trdsc@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ETina Rousselot de Saint Ceran\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech-Europe\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688019":{"#nid":"688019","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Proposed Institute to Focus on Technology and Civic Leadership","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is exploring the development of a new Institute for Technology and Civic Leadership. This proposal is part of a larger institutional effort to provide new opportunities for civil discourse education that will prepare students to lead in the face of complex technological and societal challenges.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAaron Levine, associate dean for research and outreach in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech, has been named interim executive director for a six-month appointment to lead the exploration. In this role, Levine will engage stakeholders across Georgia Tech and the University System of Georgia to assess how the new Institute could best serve students and the state of Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe proposed Institute reflects Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment to educating leaders who create new possibilities at the intersection of technology and human flourishing. It will draw on rigorous research to develop and support civic-minded, technological leaders and policy-aware innovators, equipping them to lead in a pluralistic democracy and an interconnected, innovation-driven world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new Institute will give students the chance to explore a broad range of ideas about how innovation shapes communities, the economy, and public life. It aims to be a place where people can exchange ideas freely, learn from one another and find common ground \u2014 all anchored in open debate, scientific inquiry and evidence-based problem-solving.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt will also serve as a hub for bringing together leaders from government, industry, academia and other sectors to tackle pressing challenges and pursue science- and data-driven solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is an opportunity for Georgia Tech to further its mission of developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition,\u201d said Raheem Beyah, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. \u201cThe new Institute will prepare students to lead in an increasingly complex and pluralistic democracy, and guide society through the implications of transformative technologies.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe State of Georgia has granted initial seed funding to Georgia Tech to support this exploration. The funding will help assess the potential Institute\u2019s role in developing students and fostering critical, wide-ranging discussions about the impact of technology on individuals and society.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re excited to work alongside faculty from across Georgia Tech as we shape this new Institute,\u201d said Amanda Murdie, dean of Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. \u201cOur College is proud to play a leading role in an effort that will draw on contributions from every part of campus. Together, our collective expertise will strengthen students\u2019 ability to engage with multifaceted societal questions.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech will host a symposium in April 2026 to bring together campus and community leaders to further explore the Institute\u0027s development. The symposium will focus on opportunities for the new Institute and explore how to best prepare current and future leaders to engage with the most pressing issues shaping society today and in the future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe development of this center will also rely on input from the Georgia Tech community. If you are interested in advising on this effort, please email Interim Executive Director Aaron Levine at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aaron.levine@pubpolicy.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eaaron.levine@pubpolicy.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is exploring the creation of an institute that will equip students to rigorously engage with emerging issues at the intersection of technology and communities."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is exploring the creation of an institute that will equip students to rigorously engage with emerging issues at the intersection of technology and communities.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is exploring the creation of an institute that will equip students to rigorously engage with emerging issues at the intersection of technology and communities."}],"uid":"36640","created_gmt":"2026-02-04 16:34:01","changed_gmt":"2026-02-04 17:11:31","author":"kconley9","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679184":{"id":"679184","type":"image","title":"Georgia-Tech-Tech-Tower.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETech Tower on the Georgia Tech campus.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770217747","gmt_created":"2026-02-04 15:09:07","changed":"1770224848","gmt_changed":"2026-02-04 17:07:28","alt":"Tech Tower at the Georgia Institute of Technology, a red-brick academic building with white trim and arched windows, rising above surrounding trees under a blue sky.","file":{"fid":"263314","name":"Georgia-Tech-Tech-Tower.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/04\/Georgia-Tech-Tech-Tower.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/04\/Georgia-Tech-Tech-Tower.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":619399,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/04\/Georgia-Tech-Tech-Tower.jpg?itok=m_7wFM8D"}}},"media_ids":["679184"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"183059","name":"civic leadership"},{"id":"11435","name":"Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kconley9@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EKathleen Conley\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687406":{"#nid":"687406","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Apple Vision Pro Powers New Wave of Immersive Education","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELearning electrical and computer engineering has always come with a unique challenge: many of its foundational concepts \u2014 electric fields, magnetic forces, semiconductor behavior \u2014 are invisible to the naked eye and difficult to visualize.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo make these invisible principles tangible, students in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E have long used specialized tools and software. Circuit simulators model voltage and current, electromagnetic tools visualize fields, and semiconductor design platforms reveal transistor behavior. These tools turn abstract theory into interactive experiences that prepare students for real-world engineering challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, Apple Vision Pro is joining this ecosystem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe technology introduces spatial computing to learning environments, blending digital content with the physical world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/matter-systems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInstitute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, infrastructure lead \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/alex-gallmon\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlex Gallmon\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, is collaborating with students and industry partners to create immersive digital twins\u2014virtual models that replicate real-world systems\u2014of semiconductor cleanroom equipment.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese machines are complex and costly, with parts that can run tens of thousands of dollars,\u201d he said. \u201cEven minor mistakes during operation can lead to expensive damage or downtime.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGallmon\u0027s team built a virtual replica of a cleanroom vacuum training system. The project serves as a prototype for a workforce development program aimed at high school and college students interested in careers in the semiconductor or vacuum technology fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/apple-vision-pro-powers-new-wave-immersive-education\u0022\u003ERead the full story from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpatial computing is transforming engineering education at Georgia Tech and opening new paths for entrepreneurship and technical training.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Spatial computing is transforming engineering education at Georgia Tech and opening new paths for entrepreneurship and technical training."}],"uid":"35272","created_gmt":"2026-01-16 22:13:30","changed_gmt":"2026-02-03 18:39:06","author":"aneumeister3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679037":{"id":"679037","type":"image","title":"Apple-VR-Headset-002.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech student Yash Rajgure using an Apple Vision Pro headset device to demo his team\u0027s project in ECE 6001 Technology Entrepreneurship: Teaming, Ideation, and Entrepreneurship. \u003Cem\u003EPhoto: Allison Carter, Georgia Tech\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768601620","gmt_created":"2026-01-16 22:13:40","changed":"1768601620","gmt_changed":"2026-01-16 22:13:40","alt":"Georgia Tech student Yash Rajgure using an Apple Vision Pro headset device to demo his team\u0027s project.","file":{"fid":"263148","name":"Apple-VR-Headset-002.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/16\/Apple-VR-Headset-002.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/16\/Apple-VR-Headset-002.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":247313,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/16\/Apple-VR-Headset-002.jpeg?itok=hvEeDIm3"}},"679038":{"id":"679038","type":"image","title":"Gammon-Vision-Pro_1.jpeg","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGallmon showing how Apple Vision Pro can be utilized to train students and workers on sensitive and expensive technical equipment, in this case a cleanroom vacuum system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1768601620","gmt_created":"2026-01-16 22:13:40","changed":"1768601620","gmt_changed":"2026-01-16 22:13:40","alt":"Alex Gallmon showing how Apple Vision Pro can be utilized","file":{"fid":"263149","name":"Gammon-Vision-Pro_1.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/16\/Gammon-Vision-Pro_1.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/16\/Gammon-Vision-Pro_1.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":394335,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/16\/Gammon-Vision-Pro_1.jpeg?itok=kxtirBGt"}}},"media_ids":["679037","679038"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and 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:dwatson@ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EDan Watson \u003C\/a\u003E| School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dwatson@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687991":{"#nid":"687991","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Recognized as a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;Fulbright Program\u0026nbsp;has\u0026nbsp;recognized\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Georgia\u0026nbsp;Institute of\u0026nbsp;Technology\u0026nbsp;as\u0026nbsp;one of the\u0026nbsp;colleges and universities with the highest number of\u202fstudents and recent alumni selected for\u202fthe\u202fFulbright\u0026nbsp;U.S. Student\u0026nbsp;Program.\u0026nbsp;Fulbright Top Producing Institutions such as\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;value global connections\u0026nbsp;and support members of their campus communities\u0026nbsp;across the United States\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;pursuing\u0026nbsp;international opportunities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThirty-five years ago, a Fulbright award changed my life and put me on the path I\u2019m still on today,\u201d said \u00c1ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. \u201cFulbright\u0026nbsp;students\u0026nbsp;benefit from unrivaled opportunities for education, personal development, and intercultural leadership, and they return home as globally aware problem-solvers with new perspectives and a renewed commitment to address humanity\u2019s most pressing challenges. This program is dear to my heart and truly one of the greatest assets of American higher education, and I am immensely proud of Georgia Tech for becoming one of the foremost producers of Fulbright talent.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis\u0026nbsp;academic year,\u0026nbsp;two\u0026nbsp;Georgia\u0026nbsp;Tech\u0026nbsp;students\u0026nbsp;and alumni\u0026nbsp;were selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, and two were\u0026nbsp;named as alternates.\u0026nbsp;Among\u0026nbsp;this year\u2019s\u0026nbsp;recipients\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;alumna Nethra Rammohan,\u0026nbsp;who\u0026nbsp;serves as an\u0026nbsp;English\u0026nbsp;teaching assistant at\u0026nbsp;a preparatory high school in Zurich, Switzerland.\u0026nbsp;Rammohan, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Literature, Media, and Communication in 2021, credits Georgia Tech\u2019s Prestigious Fellowships Advising team\u0026nbsp;for guiding her through the application process.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program receive comprehensive support and mentorship from Prestigious Fellowships\u0026nbsp;advisor\u0026nbsp;Georgia Brunner.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNot only does Fulbright provide students a way to conduct research, study, or gain valuable teaching experience,\u201d Brunner said,\u0026nbsp;\u201cbut the program also offers a unique chance to\u0026nbsp;engage and immerse\u0026nbsp;in other cultures and communities.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo expand access and encourage more student participation, Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;launched\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;summer\u0026nbsp;Fulbright Application Boot Camp, contributing\u0026nbsp;to an increase in applications for the 2025-26\u0026nbsp;cycle and\u0026nbsp;even greater\u0026nbsp;growth\u0026nbsp;for 2026-27.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Fulbright Program\u0026nbsp;and How to Apply\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEstablished in 1946, the Fulbright Program is the U.S. government\u2019s premier international academic exchange program, providing\u0026nbsp;opportunities for exceptional Americans and participants from 160 countries and locations to study, teach, and conduct research abroad.\u0026nbsp;Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world and have included 44 heads of state or government, 63 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 83 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;all sectors and industries across the U.S.\u0026nbsp;and around the world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFulbright\u0026nbsp;is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the\u0026nbsp;federal government. Participating governments and\u0026nbsp;partner\u0026nbsp;institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVisit\u0026nbsp;the Fulbright Program\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fulbrightprogram.org\/\u0022\u003Ewebsite\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;more information.\u0026nbsp;Students interested in applying can\u0026nbsp;visit the Prestigious Fellowships \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.success.gatech.edu\/prestigious-fellowships\/\u0022\u003Ewebsite\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;or contact the team at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:fellowshipsadvising@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Efellowshipsadvising@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Fulbright Program has recognized the Georgia Institute of Technology as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of\u202fstudents and recent alumni selected for\u202fthe\u202fFulbright U.S. Student Program.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Fulbright Program has recognized the Georgia Institute of Technology as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of\u202fstudents and recent alumni selected for\u202fthe\u202fFulbright U.S. Student Program."}],"uid":"36773","created_gmt":"2026-02-03 14:35:07","changed_gmt":"2026-02-03 14:57:59","author":"choward85","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679173":{"id":"679173","type":"image","title":"Fulbright designation article header","body":null,"created":"1770129320","gmt_created":"2026-02-03 14:35:20","changed":"1770129320","gmt_changed":"2026-02-03 14:35:20","alt":"Tech tower framed with Fulbright designation badge","file":{"fid":"263301","name":"Fulbright-designation-article-header.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/03\/Fulbright-designation-article-header.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/03\/Fulbright-designation-article-header.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1393575,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/03\/Fulbright-designation-article-header.png?itok=zwLfWupR"}}},"media_ids":["679173"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.success.gatech.edu\/prestigious-fellowships\/","title":"Prestigious Fellowships Advising"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"281961","name":"Office of Undergraduate Education \u0026 Student Success"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"12116","name":"Fulbright Scholarship"},{"id":"194030","name":"prestigious fellowships"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003EPrestigious Fellowships Advising\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:fellowshipsadvising@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Efellowshipsadvising@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687990":{"#nid":"687990","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Smaller, Smarter, Speedier, Stacked: Engineering Next-Gen Computing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe power of modern computing is hard to overstate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour smartphone has more than 100,000 times the power of the computer that guided Apollo 11 to the moon. It\u2019s about 5,000 times faster than 1980s supercomputers. And that\u2019s just processing power.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple\u2019s original iPod promised \u201c1,000 songs in your pocket\u201d in 2001. Today\u2019s average smartphone has enough memory to store 25,000, along with thousands more photos, apps, and videos.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis exponential leap in capability traces a prediction made in 1965 by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore. He suggested the number of transistors \u2014 tiny electronic switches \u2014 on a computer chip would double roughly every two years. Moore\u2019s Law, as it became known, has served as a benchmark and guiding principle for the tech industry, influencing the trajectory of innovation for nearly six decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut now miniaturizing transistors has slowed. Headlines regularly declare Moore\u2019s Law dead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/arijit-raychowdhury\u0022\u003EArijit Raychowdhury\u003C\/a\u003E sees it differently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe said Moore\u2019s Law was never just about shrinking transistors. It was about making computing better.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMoore\u2019s Law is fundamentally economic,\u201d said Raychowdhury, Steve W. Chaddick School Chair of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EElectrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt\u2019s not about the physics of making transistors smaller. It\u2019s about the business imperative to deliver better performance, lower power consumption, smaller form factors, or reduced costs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/magazine\/2025\/fall\/engineering-next-gen-computing\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead the full story in \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHelluva Engineer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E magazine.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESome technologists suggest we\u2019re nearing the limits of packing ever-more computing power into ever-smaller chips. At Georgia Tech, engineers are finding new ways to shrink transistors, make systems more efficient, and design better computers to power technologies not yet imagined.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"At Georgia Tech, engineers are finding new ways to shrink transistors, make systems more efficient, and design better computers to power technologies not yet imagined."}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2026-02-03 13:53:26","changed_gmt":"2026-02-03 13:56:40","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679172":{"id":"679172","type":"image","title":"asif-khan-cleanroom-wafer-thumb.jpg","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsif Khan holds a silicon wafer in Georgia Tech\u2019s cleanroom facility. Khan is trying to build new kinds of computer memory using fundamentally different mechanisms to store data. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1770126819","gmt_created":"2026-02-03 13:53:39","changed":"1770126819","gmt_changed":"2026-02-03 13:53:39","alt":"Asif Khan holds a silicon wafer in a cleanroom.","file":{"fid":"263300","name":"asif-khan-cleanroom-wafer-thumb.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/03\/asif-khan-cleanroom-wafer-thumb.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/03\/asif-khan-cleanroom-wafer-thumb.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":950536,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/03\/asif-khan-cleanroom-wafer-thumb.jpg?itok=7WYIKZna"}}},"media_ids":["679172"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:dwatson@ece.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EDan Watson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dwatson@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687930":{"#nid":"687930","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Major Events Affecting Campus Traffic ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMembers of the Georgia Tech community should prepare for increased traffic congestion and limited parking availability on campus from Wednesday, Feb. 4, through Saturday, Feb. 7. Multiple large-scale events taking place simultaneously will bring a significant influx of visitors throughout the week.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExpect peak congestion near the Campus Recreation Center (CRC), Exhibition Hall, and surrounding parking facilities. Be sure to make a plan, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes or transportation options when possible.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe primary driver of increased activity is the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Swimming and Diving State Championship, hosted at the CRC throughout the week. Each day of the championship is expected to attract more than 1,500 student-athletes and guests, significantly increasing vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional concurrent events include:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe Buzz Classic Softball Tournament.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe Georgia FIRST LEGO League Challenge, taking place in the Exhibition Hall.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EParking and Transportation Information\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParking for the GHSA event will be directed to the following locations:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EW10\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 CRC presale parking.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EW06\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 Tech Parkway to Northside Drive.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EW22\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 Dalney Deck.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParking and Transportation Services will communicate directly with affected permit holders:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMove-vehicle notices\u003C\/strong\u003E will be sent to permit holders in \u003Cstrong\u003EW06 and W10\u003C\/strong\u003E, with temporary access provided to \u003Cstrong\u003EW23 (North Deck)\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECongestion advisories\u003C\/strong\u003E will be issued to permit holders in \u003Cstrong\u003EW04, W02, W22, and W23\u003C\/strong\u003E, advising of increased traffic and potential delays throughout the week.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional event-specific updates and transportation information are available \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu\/2026\/01\/28\/ghsa-swimming-and-dive-state-championship-parking-info\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere.\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking ahead, the campus community should also anticipate parking and traffic impacts later in the month when the \u003Cstrong\u003EACC Swimming and Diving Championship\u003C\/strong\u003E takes place \u003Cstrong\u003EFeb. 15 \u2013 21\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"From Wednesday, Feb. 4, through Saturday, Feb. 7, multiple large-scale events taking place will bring an influx of visitors to campus. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom Wednesday, Feb. 4, through Saturday, Feb. 7, multiple large-scale events taking place will bring an influx of visitors to campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"From Wednesday, Feb. 4, through Saturday, Feb. 7, multiple large-scale events taking place will bring an influx of visitors to campus. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-02-02 19:44:04","changed_gmt":"2026-02-02 22:03:41","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679161":{"id":"679161","type":"image","title":"Cars in Traffic","body":null,"created":"1770062475","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 20:01:15","changed":"1770062475","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 20:01:15","alt":"Campus traffic","file":{"fid":"263284","name":"26-R10410-P52-002.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/26-R10410-P52-002.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/26-R10410-P52-002.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2510823,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/26-R10410-P52-002.JPG?itok=TkIySbJb"}}},"media_ids":["679161"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.police.gatech.edu","title":"GTPD"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.pts.gatech.edu","title":"Parking and Transportation Services"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2543","name":"GTPD"},{"id":"1047","name":"Atlanta traffic"},{"id":"5481","name":"campus event"},{"id":"8556","name":"FISRT LEGO League"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:specialevents@police.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Police Department\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:support@pts.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EParking and Transportation\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003EServices\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E or call 404.894.0061 \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687932":{"#nid":"687932","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Build Something That Matters This Summer: Apply to Startup Launch by March 17","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEvery year, hundreds of Georgia Tech students take a leap that changes their careers forever: They decide to spend their summer building a startup.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat opportunity is here again. \u003Cstrong\u003EApplications for the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/airtable.com\/appaTqlTL2zQkXBBR\/pagdkIvjQbvDbSD2F\/form\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2026 Summer Startup Launch\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E cohort are now open.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019ve identified a meaningful problem, have begun talking to real users, or feel a pull to build something bigger than a class project, this is your moment. Startup Launch gives you the structure, support, and ecosystem to take your idea further than you ever thought possible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Launchpad With a Proven Track Record\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the past year alone, CREATE\u2011X founders have:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELed their startup to successful acquisitions. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERaised six-figure funding rounds.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGained acceptance into highly selective Y Combinator. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBuilt products used by customers, communities, and companies across industries.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ability to identify a problem, validate real user needs, build something that works, and communicate that value \u2014 that combination makes students stand out in a competitive job market. Employers notice it. Graduate programs notice it. And investors notice it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is why Startup Launch isn\u2019t just a summer project.\u003Cbr\u003EIt becomes a defining career asset.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat You Get in Startup Launch\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStartup Launch is intentionally built to give students every advantage while they build their venture. This year, we\u2019ve expanded support even further.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParticipants receive:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E$200,000 in-kind services like accounting and cloud credits.\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDedicated coaching and mentorship\u003C\/strong\u003E from experienced founders and startup experts.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExclusive workshops and founder-focused programming.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAccess to the CREATE-X network,\u003C\/strong\u003E a community of builders, investors, and potential customers.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ll spend the summer fully immersed in your startup, surrounded by peers also tackling ambitious problems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd you\u2019ll leave with something real to show for it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApplications for the Summer 2026 cohort close March 17.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/airtable.com\/appaTqlTL2zQkXBBR\/pagdkIvjQbvDbSD2F\/form\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApply to Startup Launch today\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECREATE-X\u2019s Summer 2026 Startup Launch is open for students, faculty, alumni, and researchers to build real startups over 12-weeks with funding, mentorship, and proven entrepreneurial infrastructure. The program has a strong track record, with past founders raising funding, achieving acquisitions, and earning acceptance into highly selective accelerators. Participants receive $5k in optional seed funding, up to $200,000 in in-kind services, hands-on coaching, founder-focused workshops, and access to the CREATE\u2011X network. More than a summer experience, Startup Launch helps students build real ventures and stand out to employers, graduate programs, and investors.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"CREATE-X\u2019s Summer 2026 Startup Launch program invites students, faculty, alumni, and researchers to build meaningful startups with funding, mentorship, and access to the CREATE-X network."}],"uid":"36436","created_gmt":"2026-02-02 20:48:17","changed_gmt":"2026-02-02 20:48:28","author":"bdurham31","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679162":{"id":"679162","type":"image","title":"Startup-Launch-2026-Promo-Web-Article--1200-x-630-px---1-_0.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVarious founders pitch at Demo Day. \u0022Apply for today. Get the advantage in the market.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1770064835","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 20:40:35","changed":"1770065289","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 20:48:09","alt":"Various founders pitch at Demo Day. \u0022Apply for today. Get the advantage in the market.\u0022","file":{"fid":"263288","name":"Startup-Launch-2026-Promo-Web-Article--1200-x-630-px---1-_0.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/Startup-Launch-2026-Promo-Web-Article--1200-x-630-px---1-_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/Startup-Launch-2026-Promo-Web-Article--1200-x-630-px---1-_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":540636,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/Startup-Launch-2026-Promo-Web-Article--1200-x-630-px---1-_0.png?itok=eEM4uLiZ"}}},"media_ids":["679162"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appaTqlTL2zQkXBBR\/pagdkIvjQbvDbSD2F\/form","title":" Apply to Startup Launch "}],"groups":[{"id":"583966","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBreanna Durham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarketing Strategist\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["breanna.durham@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687878":{"#nid":"687878","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Navigating the Partial Federal Government Shutdown","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs of Jan. 31, the U.S. government has failed to reach a spending agreement in time to avoid a partial shutdown of the federal government. Due in part to planning efforts, the Institute does not expect any significant effect on its operations in the immediate term. As in previous situations, a Georgia Tech working group has been assessing the potential of a shutdown and planning mitigation strategies to help ensure business continuity as lawmakers negotiate to reach an agreement.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the partial shutdown is prolonged, mitigation strategies will need to be implemented to preserve cash and maintain campus operations. Similar to the previous shutdown, mitigation strategies will include accelerating federal invoicing; monitoring cash balances; and assessing the need to defer\u202fcertain purchases, hiring, and\u202fnon-essential travel.\u202f\u202f\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe working group is closely monitoring this situation, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/af.gatech.edu\/federal-shutdown\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFederal Shutdown Resources webpage\u003C\/a\u003E will be updated with information as the situation develops.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs of Jan. 31, the U.S. government has failed to reach a spending agreement in time to avoid a partial shutdown of the federal government.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As of Jan. 31, the U.S. government has failed to reach a spending agreement in time to avoid a partial shutdown of the federal government."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2026-01-31 13:57:53","changed_gmt":"2026-02-02 18:55:48","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-31T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-31T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679141":{"id":"679141","type":"image","title":"US-Capital-Building-with-Snowy-Trees.jpg","body":null,"created":"1769868792","gmt_created":"2026-01-31 14:13:12","changed":"1769868792","gmt_changed":"2026-01-31 14:13:12","alt":"U.S. Capital Building after a snow storm","file":{"fid":"263263","name":"US-Capital-Building-with-Snowy-Trees.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/31\/US-Capital-Building-with-Snowy-Trees.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/31\/US-Capital-Building-with-Snowy-Trees.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1721697,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/31\/US-Capital-Building-with-Snowy-Trees.jpg?itok=Uwo5vXTu"}}},"media_ids":["679141"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/af.gatech.edu\/federal-shutdown","title":"Federal Shutdown Resources"},{"url":"https:\/\/osp.gatech.edu\/federal-government-shutdown-guidance","title":"Federal Government Shutdown Guidance"}],"groups":[{"id":"64319","name":"Administration and Finance"},{"id":"220261","name":"Finance and Planning"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"193108","name":"federal shutdown"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\u003ERachael Pocklington\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["rpocklington@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}