{"689471":{"#nid":"689471","#data":{"type":"news","title":"College of Sciences Students Awarded Walk-on Stamps President\u2019s Scholarships","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETwo\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E students,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAnnie Lin\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMadeline Weller\u003C\/strong\u003E, were selected as walk-on recipients of the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/stampsps.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Stamps President\u2019s Scholars Program.\u003C\/a\u003E As Scholars, they will\u0026nbsp;be awarded a full-ride scholarship, special mentoring, and travel opportunities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThough this scholarship is typically given to 50 exceptional incoming first-year students, a select few second- and third-year students are chosen to receive the honor for exemplifying the program\u2019s pillars of scholarship, leadership, progress, and service.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAnnie and Madeline are exemplary campus leaders and will be able to build on their progress and service with the support of the Stamps Program. We are thrilled for the contributions they bring to the environmental science community,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELinda Green\u003C\/strong\u003E, principal academic professional and interim director of the Environmental Sciences (ENVS) program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Annie Lin\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELin is a second-year ENVS major conducting undergraduate research on methane and natural gas in the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/jennifer-glass\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Glass Research Group.\u003C\/a\u003E Previous research highlights include quantifying microplastics in Georgia\u2019s coastal water and working with a student group to publish the first publicly available data on microplastics pollution in the Chattahoochee River.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI hope to build a career in environmental policy and justice \u2014 developing and implementing scientific, holistic, and equitable solutions to environmental issues and bridging the gaps between research, policy, and communities,\u201d says Lin.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe is a student coordinator for Georgia Tech\u2019s Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education and the Georgia Tech student engagement and network coordinator for the United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise Greater Atlanta.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EWhy environmental science?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI was born and raised in Atlanta and grew up close to the Chattahoochee River,\u201d explains Lin. \u201cIn high school, I was very involved with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, including an 11-mile, eight-hour paddling cleanup; field\u0026nbsp;and lab work to track bacterial contamination caused by sewage spills; and speaking to state legislators about environmental bills.\u0026nbsp;These experiences taught me the importance of helping make the necessary systemic changes to address environmental issues.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Madeline Weller\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWeller is a second-year ENVS major working in the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tang.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Tang Research Group\u003C\/a\u003E, characterizing rare earth elements from Georgia kaolinite clay minerals for renewable energy applications. She also works on the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vip.gatech.edu\/teams\/entry\/1260\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech Methane Vertically Integrated Project\u003C\/a\u003E to pioneer local methane measurements and in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Office of Sustainability\u003C\/a\u003E to further sustainability efforts and outreach with Solar Stewards.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThrough experiences with Solar Stewards, I saw firsthand how community and rooftop solar can impact people, reducing their energy burden\u2026,\u201d says Weller. \u0022Being at Georgia Tech has provided me with the resources and courage to act on my passion for achieving sustainability through energy equity, ensuring everybody has access to reliable and affordable electricity.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOutside of research, she is a member of Energy Club @ GT; Sigma Gamma Epsilon,\u0026nbsp;the national honor society for the Earth Sciences;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Association of Environmental Engineers and Scientists; Photography @ GT; and Runnin\u2019 Wreck.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EWhy environmental science?\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI chose environmental science because I was inspired to use my science skills to help find a solution to environmental issues, including climate change,\u201d she explains. \u201cImproving environmental conditions is not just important for biodiversity and ecosystems, but essential for human health and the longevity of future generations.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECongratulations to environmental science majors Annie Lin\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;Madeline Weller.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Congratulations to environmental science majors Annie Lin\u00a0and\u00a0Madeline Weller."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2026-04-06 13:26:11","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 16:00:13","author":"ls67","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":{"679865":{"id":"679865","type":"image","title":"Annie Lin","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAnnie Lin\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775486964","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 14:49:24","changed":"1775486964","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 14:49:24","alt":"Headshot of smiling female student","file":{"fid":"264075","name":"Annie-Lin.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/Annie-Lin.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/Annie-Lin.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":87234,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/Annie-Lin.jpg?itok=koo-CaN2"}},"679857":{"id":"679857","type":"image","title":"Madeline Weller","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMadeline Weller\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775483688","gmt_created":"2026-04-06 13:54:48","changed":"1775483688","gmt_changed":"2026-04-06 13:54:48","alt":"Headshot of a young woman","file":{"fid":"264067","name":"Madeline-Weller-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/Madeline-Weller-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/06\/Madeline-Weller-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":154843,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/06\/Madeline-Weller-.jpg?itok=0kb7-1kn"}}},"media_ids":["679865","679857"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/11\/19\/college-sciences-students-earn-walk-stamps-presidents-scholarships","title":"College of Sciences Students Earn Walk-on Stamps President\u2019s Scholarships"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"169715","name":"stamps scholars"}],"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\u003ELaura. S. Smith, writer\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"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":""}},"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":""}},"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":""}},"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":""}},"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":""}},"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":""}},"688310":{"#nid":"688310","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Mapping Mountain Birds in a Changing World: Benjamin Freeman Awarded Sloan Fellowship For Mountain Bird Ecology Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/benjamin%20freeman\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/benjamingfreeman.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBenjamin Freeman\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has been named a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sloan.org\/fellowships\/2026-Fellows\u0022\u003E2026 Sloan Research Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sloan.org\/\u0022\u003EAlfred P. Sloan Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E. Regarded as one of the\u0026nbsp;most competitive and prestigious awards available to early-career scholars, the Fellowship recognizes researchers\u0026nbsp;\u201cwhose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments make them stand out as the next generation of leaders.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe Sloan Research Fellows are among the most promising early-career researchers in the U.S. and Canada, already driving meaningful progress in their respective disciplines,\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sloan.org\/storage\/app\/media\/files\/press_releases\/2026_Sloan%20Research%20Fellowship_Announcement.pdf\u0022\u003Esays\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EStacie Bloom\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, president and chief executive officer of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. \u201cWe look forward to seeing how these exceptional scholars continue to unlock new scientific advancements, redefine their fields, and foster the wellbeing and knowledge of all.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022This is a wonderful and welcome surprise that will support my ongoing research on mountains across the globe,\u201d says Freeman. \u201cIt\u0027s a vote of confidence and will let me get out there and get to work.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman is one of 126 scientists selected this year for the honor and will receive a two-year $75,000 grant of flexible funding to support his research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHe joins the ranks of nearly 50 faculty from Georgia Tech who have received Sloan Research Fellowships, including School of Mathematics\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAlex Blumenthal\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2024,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHannah Choi\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2022,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EYao Yao\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2020,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKonstantin Tikhomirov\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2019,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELutz Warnke\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2018,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EZaher Hani\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2016,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJen Hom\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2015, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EGreg Blekherman\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2012; School of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u0027s\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EVinayak Agarwal\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2018; School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u0027\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EChristopher Reinhard\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2015; and School of Physics\u2019\u003Cstrong\u003E Chunhui (Rita) Du\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2024 and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ETamara Bogdanovi\u0107\u003C\/strong\u003E in 2013.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman joined the Institute in 2023 and\u0026nbsp;was also recently named a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/research-takes-flight-benjamin-freeman-named-2024-packard-fellow\u0022\u003E2024 Packard Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E by the\u0026nbsp;David and Lucile Packard Foundation and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/benjamin-freeman-named-early-career-fellow-ecological-society-america\u0022\u003E2025 Early Career Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E by the Ecological Society of America.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EUnderstanding the \u2018escalator to extinction\u2019\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKnown for his groundbreaking research in climate change and bird ecology, Freeman studies birds worldwide from Appalachia to Ecuador. He specializes in tropical populations where his work is centered on understanding how mountain species respond to a changing climate \u2014 and how to facilitate their survival.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cTropical mountains are some of Earth\u2019s largest biodiversity hotspots; they harbor an extraordinary number of species,\u201d shares Freeman. \u201cAdditionally, tropical mountain birds are particularly sensitive to environmental change, so they can serve as an early warning system for global conservation efforts.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPreviously, his research has shown that some species are on an \u2018escalator to extinction\u2019 with vulnerable groups moving to higher elevations to escape warming temperatures. At the top of the escalator, some summit-dwelling species are disappearing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe know that many species are on this escalator,\u201d Freeman says. \u201cThe next step is to figure out which species are most vulnerable and why. In order to direct conservation efforts, we need to know who\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Eis vulnerable, why\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Esmall increases in temperature have dramatic effects, and what\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ecan be done to help.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA worldwide early warning system\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETo uncover those answers, Freeman is taking two approaches: mapping global patterns with big picture data and conducting on-the-ground research in the tropics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETo target the former, he created the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/benjamingfreeman.com\/mountainbirdnetwork\u0022\u003EMountain Bird Network\u003C\/a\u003E, which supports community scientists in conducting bird surveys on their local mountains. The goal is to create a system that allows researchers to diagnose vulnerable species before they are too sparse to save.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u201c\u003C\/strong\u003EWhen a species is in trouble, we need to know as soon as possible,\u201d Freeman says. \u201cOnce a population is small enough to be at risk of extinction, it\u2019s very hard to reverse that process. The Mountain Bird Network collects data on mountain bird abundances and distributions across the globe, which, when used with data from a global citizen science program called eBird, can be leveraged to build models to identify which species might be vulnerable before those populations become critically small.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA living lab on Tech Mountain\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman\u2019s other avenue of research involves building an ambitious living laboratory in Pinchincha, Ecuador. The research site will span thousands of meters along the flanks of a local mountain, spanning lowland rainforest, foothill rainforest, and cloud forest ecosystems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe mountain is home to thousands of birds from hundreds of species,\u201d Freeman says. \u201cMy goal is to track and understand their daily lives \u2014 and how climate changes impact them.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EUsing cutting-edge tracking technology, he will tag and monitor their daily movements, mapping those against microclimate sensors placed at different elevations along the mountain\u2019s slopes. The challenge of placing and maintaining thousands of tiny sensors in rugged conditions means that it has never been done before.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe\u2019ll track these birds for at least five years \u2013- but hopefully for decades,\u201d Freeman says. \u201cThe data we gather at Tech Mountain will be the first of its kind, and my hope is that it makes a real difference in conservation efforts worldwide.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThe fellowship is one of the\u0026nbsp;most competitive and prestigious awards available to early-career scholars, and will support Freeman as he studies birds worldwide from Appalachia to Ecuador, investigating how mountain species respond to a changing climate \u2014 and how to facilitate their survival.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The fellowship is one of the\u00a0most competitive and prestigious awards available to early-career scholars."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-02-17 14:36:04","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 14:23:25","author":"sperrin6","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":{"675323":{"id":"675323","type":"image","title":"Benjamin Freeman","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;Benjamin Freeman\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1729016793","gmt_created":"2024-10-15 18:26:33","changed":"1729016793","gmt_changed":"2024-10-15 18:26:33","alt":"Benjamin Freeman","file":{"fid":"258934","name":"BenjaminFreeman.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/15\/BenjaminFreeman.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/15\/BenjaminFreeman.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2771976,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/15\/BenjaminFreeman.png?itok=fugaKOaT"}}},"media_ids":["675323"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/sloan.org\/storage\/app\/media\/files\/press_releases\/2026_Sloan%20Research%20Fellowship_Announcement.pdf","title":"2026 Sloan Research Fellows Announced"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/30-year-snapshot-pacific-northwestern-birds-shows-their-surprising-resilience","title":"A 30-Year \u201cSnapshot\u201d of Pacific Northwestern Birds Shows Their Surprising Resilience"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/research-takes-flight-benjamin-freeman-named-2024-packard-fellow","title":"Research Takes Flight: Benjamin Freeman Named 2024 Packard Fellow"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/benjamin-freeman-named-early-career-fellow-ecological-society-america","title":"Benjamin Freeman Named Early Career Fellow by Ecological Society of America"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\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":""}},"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":""}},"687359":{"#nid":"687359","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Science for Public Good: Introducing the Community Engagement Graduate Fellows ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFour graduate students from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E were recently selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google. This one-year research opportunity awards up to $5,000 for each fellow to develop a project with local partners that aims to build stronger communities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt has been a pleasure for the Center for Programs to Increase Engagement in the Sciences (C-PIES) to collaborate with Google and the College of Sciences Advisory Board to bring this fellowship, which will positively impact our community and highlight how science can align with public good,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELewis A. Wheaton\u003C\/strong\u003E, professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and director of C-PIES.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn the year ahead, the fellows will work with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cpies.cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EC-PIES\u003C\/a\u003E and community partners on campus and in the metro Atlanta area to develop projects in one of three priority areas: civic and policy engagement, community-engaged research, and K-12 research outreach.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe fellowship was open to all graduate students in the College of Sciences, and four inaugural fellows \u2014 Aniruddh Bakshi, Katherine Slenker, Miriam Simma, and Nikolai Simonov \u2014 were named based on their exciting, yet feasible applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFellow Aniruddh Bakshi: Strengthening trust in science\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPh.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAniruddh Bakshi\u003C\/strong\u003E studies the problem of drug delivery at the intersections of organic chemistry, biochemistry, and immunology. As mRNA vaccines are closely related to his area of research, he sees the need for a grassroots outreach movement from young academics to help bolster public confidence in rigorous scientific methodology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn collaboration with local hospitals and nonprofits, his proposed project is to start a social media content series, titled \u201cA Day in the Life of a Ph.D. Student,\u201d to show the realities of graduate school for those interested in this career path while connecting his research to broader public issues.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cScience has the power to solve urgent problems, but only if people understand and trust it,\u201d says Bakshi. \u201cThrough this fellowship, I will use my research and outreach efforts to help strengthen that trust \u2014 showing how discoveries in drug delivery and vaccine design can make a real difference in people\u2019s lives.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFellow Katherine Slenker: Creating a biodiversity data network\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAtlanta is often referred to as \u201cthe city in a forest,\u201d but according to Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKatherine Slenker\u003C\/strong\u003E, wildlife has a difficult time navigating across roads and housing developments, often resulting in human-wildlife conflict.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cConservation ecologists have long recommended that the movement of wildlife could be eased through the creation of \u2018ecological corridors,\u2019 which connect greenspaces and wildlife populations,\u201d she explains. \u201cDetermining the movement patterns of wildlife, and where such corridors may be best situated, requires that we first understand what species reside in the metro Atlanta area as well as how they are expected to disperse.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs a fellow, Slenker plans to build a biodiversity data network by comparing wildlife monitoring at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and Stone Mountain Park and increasing the coalition of metro Atlanta researchers. This data can be used in the development of ecological corridors to reduce clashing between humans and wildlife, notably animals struck by vehicles, and improve ecosystem health at these parks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFellow Miriam Simma: Making structural biology research more accessible\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study of crystallography is vital in academia, industry, and medicine because it enables researchers to decipher the atomic structures of proteins, but it is scarcely taught outside of graduate school. Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMiriam Simma\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ewants to change that.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHer proposed project is to introduce protein crystallography to K-12 students and teachers through hands-on activities in local high school classrooms and to the public during the Atlanta Science Festival at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMy vision is to make structural biology research accessible, so everyone can engage with cutting-edge scientific research \u2014 fostering curiosity and interest in STEM careers,\u201d says Simma. \u201cLong term, I will synthesize these activities into a chemical education article that introduces K-12 students to protein structure and function.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFellow Nikolai Simonov: Mentoring middle school scientists\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELast year, Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ENikolai Simonov\u003C\/strong\u003E became involved in the GoSTEM Club at Lilburn Middle School \u2014 leading student activities and recruiting other graduate student volunteers. In partnership with Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing\u003C\/a\u003E, the club is a weekly afterschool program for students, many of whom come from underserved backgrounds, to grow their scientific curiosity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI assembled a team of 10 Tech graduate students who could explain complex scientific concepts in approachable ways for middle school students. Through this fellowship, we are excited to enrich the GoSTEM Club with an ongoing mentorship program and materials for more ambitious science fair projects,\u201d shares Simonov.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs part of the program, club members can meet one-on-one with Georgia Tech mentors to discuss their educational and career goals. \u201cBy sharing their stories and connecting scientific ideas to real-world applications, our mentors aim to show students that STEM is not only accessible but a path toward a fulfilling life,\u201d he adds.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFour graduate students from the College of Sciences were selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google, to develop projects that positively impact the metro Atlanta area and\u0026nbsp;highlight how science can align with public good.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Four graduate students from the College of Sciences were selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google, to develop projects that positively impact the metro Atlanta area. "}],"uid":"27465","created_gmt":"2026-01-15 19:17:05","changed_gmt":"2026-01-15 20:30:07","author":"Annette Filliat","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-15T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-15T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679014":{"id":"679014","type":"image","title":"Community Engagement Graduate Fellows","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFour graduate students from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E were selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768507734","gmt_created":"2026-01-15 20:08:54","changed":"1768508071","gmt_changed":"2026-01-15 20:14:31","alt":"Community Engagement Graduate Fellows ","file":{"fid":"263125","name":"C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4108784,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows.jpg?itok=EDpa4s4k"}},"679016":{"id":"679016","type":"image","title":"C-PIES and Community Engagement Graduate Fellows","body":"\u003Cp\u003EC-PIES Director Lewis A. Wheaton (far left) and Director of Programs Lea Marzo (far right) stand with the inaugural Community Engagement Graduate Fellows (left to right): Nikolai Simonov, Miriam Simma, Aniruddh Bakshi, and Katherine Slenker.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768508133","gmt_created":"2026-01-15 20:15:33","changed":"1768508664","gmt_changed":"2026-01-15 20:24:24","alt":"C-PIES and Community Engagement Graduate Fellows","file":{"fid":"263126","name":"C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4321309,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows-2.jpg?itok=rj-DkhiR"}}},"media_ids":["679014","679016"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/step-eases-transfer-transition","title":"STEP Eases Transfer Transition"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1182","name":"General"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"185591","name":"campus and community"},{"id":"188933","name":"Atlanta community."},{"id":"191866","name":"C-PIES"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"192552","name":"College of Sciences Advisory Board"},{"id":"3165","name":"google"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"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:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter: Annette Filliat\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["afilliat@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687242":{"#nid":"687242","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Energy Policy and Innovation Center Launches Interactive Dashboard ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (EPIcenter) has collaborated with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/daniel-matisoff\u0022\u003EDan Matisoff\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E and EPIcenter\u2019s faculty affiliate, to develop a new\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/saf\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Data Dashboard\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u003C\/a\u003E designed to provide clear, accessible insights into the rapidly evolving SAF market.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe interactive dashboard compiles and visualizes data gathered by\u0026nbsp;Matisoff, along with\u0026nbsp;Program and Operations Manager\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/2af53a9b-d638-574a-a72e-567d586c3cef\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMichael Morley\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;offering a comprehensive view of SAF production, feedstock availability, and policy trends.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEPIcenter Research Associate \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/people-yang-you\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYang You\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has designed the dashboard to translate complex datasets into policy-relevant insights for decision-makers. By organizing key metrics into interactive visuals, the dashboard helps stakeholders assess market readiness and identify regulatory actions that could accelerate SAF adoption.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEmphasizing the importance of data-driven insights, Matisoff said, \u201cThe Department of Energy has a Grand Challenge to produce 3 billion gallons a year of Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2030, and 35 billion gallons a year by 2050. By compiling and visualizing SAF data, we can help policymakers and researchers understand progress towards these goals, where the key opportunities and bottlenecks are \u2013 and how to move forward effectively\u201d.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy SAF Matters\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile aviation only accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is a rapidly growing share, and decarbonizing this sector is considered one of the most challenging aspects of the energy transition. Produced from renewable feedstocks, sustainable aviation fuel offers a pathway to reduce lifecycle emissions from air travel without requiring major changes to aircraft or infrastructure. However, SAF production and deployment face hurdles related to cost, supply chain development, and policy support.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEPIcenter\u2019s Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/people\/laura-taylor\u0022\u003ELaura Taylor\u003C\/a\u003E highlighted the dashboard\u2019s role in addressing these challenges:\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cSustainable aviation fuel is a cornerstone of decarbonizing air travel, but the market is complex and rapidly evolving. The dashboard provides clarity by organizing the relevant data in a way that\u2019s accessible and actionable for decision-makers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis tool is meant to bridge analysis and action,\u201d said You. \u201cBy visualizing SAF production, capacity, and offtake dynamics, the dashboard allows policymakers and stakeholders to see where the market is moving, where gaps remain, and how targeted infrastructure investments or supportive policies could unlock scale.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe EPIcenter SAF Dashboard is intended as a resource for industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers working to accelerate SAF adoption. By providing transparent, data-driven insights, Georgia Tech aims to support informed decisions that advance innovation and sustainability in aviation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo explore the dashboard and learn more about Georgia Tech\u2019s work on sustainable aviation fuel, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/saf\/\u0022\u003EEPIcenter\u2019s SAF page\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Policy and Innovation Center\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (EPIcenter) has collaborated with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/daniel-matisoff\u0022\u003EDan Matisoff\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E and EPIcenter\u2019s faculty affiliate, to develop a new\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/saf\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Data Dashboard\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u003C\/a\u003E designed to provide clear, accessible insights into the rapidly evolving SAF market.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Energy Policy and Innovation Center has collaborated with Dan Matisoff, EPIcenter\u2019s faculty affiliate, to develop a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Data Dashboard to provide clear, accessible insights into the rapidly evolving SAF market. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2026-01-13 17:04:00","changed_gmt":"2026-01-13 17:10:35","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678970":{"id":"678970","type":"image","title":"SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1768324007","gmt_created":"2026-01-13 17:06:47","changed":"1768324007","gmt_changed":"2026-01-13 17:06:47","alt":"Fuel Truck carrying Sustainable Aviation Fuel near an airplane","file":{"fid":"263073","name":"SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/13\/SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/13\/SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":831898,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/13\/SAFDashboard-AdobeStock.jpeg?itok=bJdX1-Z0"}}},"media_ids":["678970"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/saf\/","title":"EPIcenter SAF Dashboard"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"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 || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687192":{"#nid":"687192","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Coastal Resilience Project Secures Nearly $1 Million to Restore Wetlands","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded an interdisciplinary team nearly $1 million in funding through the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nfwf.org\/programs\/national-coastal-resilience-fund\u0022\u003ENational Coastal Resilience Fund\u003C\/a\u003E to restore coastal wetlands in Georgia. It was the only project in Georgia to be selected for funding from the program\u0027s 2025 call for proposals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe award will support the design of nature-based solutions including\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/insight\/understanding-living-shorelines\u0022\u003Eliving shorelines\u003C\/a\u003E and marsh restoration in flood-prone areas of Camden County, Georgia, adjacent to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Cumberland Island National Seashore, and the city of St. Marys.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cRestoring wetlands in Camden County is not just an environmental priority \u2014 it\u2019s a resilience strategy for the entire region,\u201d says principal investigator (PI)\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/joel-kostka\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoel Kostka\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor, associate chair for Research in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, and faculty director of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/joel-kostka-named-director-georgia-tech-georgias-tomorrow\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech for Georgia\u2019s Tomorrow\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u201cEach acre of restored marshland protects coastal communities from natural hazards like storms and flooding, provides essential marine habitat, and has the potential to aid the Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers in developing management alternatives for dredged materials. When our wetlands flourish, our whole coastline does.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn addition to Kostka, co-PI\u2019s include University of Georgia (UGA) Skidaway Institute of Oceanography Director\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EClark Alexander\u003C\/strong\u003E, UGA Associate Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/engineering.uga.edu\/team_member\/matthew-v-bilskie\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMatt Bilskie\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/engineering.uga.edu\/team_member\/brian-bledsoe-2\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrian Bledsoe\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.org\/georgia\u0022\u003EThe Nature Conservancy\u003C\/a\u003E Coastal Climate Adaptation Director\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAshby Worley\u003C\/strong\u003E, and Georgia Tech alumnus\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ENolan Williams\u003C\/strong\u003E of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rde.us\/\u0022\u003ERobinson Design Engineers\u003C\/a\u003E, a firm dedicated to the engineering of natural infrastructure in the Southeast that is owned and operated by Georgia Tech alumnus\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJoshua Robinson\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA coastal collaboration\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new project, known as a \u201cpipeline project\u201d by NFWF,\u0026nbsp; builds on multiple resilience plans and years of previous research conducted by the established team. \u201cThis is a testament to the value of the long-term collaborations and partnerships that enable coastal resilience work,\u201d Kostka says. \u201cWe\u2019re working closely with local communities and a range of city, state, and federal stakeholders to ensure these solutions align with local priorities and protect what matters most.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not the first time that the team has brought this type of collaboration to the coastline. Since 2019, Kostka has worked alongside the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the South Carolina Aquarium, and Robinson Design Engineers in a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/maryville-marsh-restoration\u0022\u003E$2.6 million effort to restore degraded salt marshes in historic Charleston\u003C\/a\u003E, also funded by NFWF. Now in the implementation phase, much of the marsh restoration in Charleston involves planting salt-tolerant grasses, restoring oyster reefs, and excavating new tidal creeks \u2014 work that is being spearheaded by local volunteers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cCoastal resilience isn\u2019t something one group can tackle alone,\u201d Kostka adds. \u201cThat shared, community-driven vision is what makes these projects possible.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe award will support the design of nature-based solutions including\u0026nbsp;living shorelines and marsh restoration in flood-prone areas of Camden County, Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The award will support the design of nature-based solutions including\u00a0living shorelines and marsh restoration in flood-prone areas of Camden County, Georgia."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-01-12 13:20:04","changed_gmt":"2026-01-12 13:31:16","author":"sperrin6","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":{"678950":{"id":"678950","type":"image","title":"Degraded marsh on Cumberland Island, Georgia.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDegraded marsh on Cumberland Island, Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768224154","gmt_created":"2026-01-12 13:22:34","changed":"1768224154","gmt_changed":"2026-01-12 13:22:34","alt":"Degraded marsh on Cumberland Island, Georgia.","file":{"fid":"263053","name":"Degraded-marsh-on-Cumberland.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/Degraded-marsh-on-Cumberland.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/Degraded-marsh-on-Cumberland.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5430100,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/12\/Degraded-marsh-on-Cumberland.png?itok=rblZWU1k"}},"678953":{"id":"678953","type":"image","title":"Kostka sampling transects of marshland on Cumberland Island, Georgia.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKostka sampling transects of marshland on Cumberland Island, Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768224154","gmt_created":"2026-01-12 13:22:34","changed":"1768224154","gmt_changed":"2026-01-12 13:22:34","alt":"Kostka sampling transects of marshland on Cumberland Island, Georgia.","file":{"fid":"263056","name":"Transect-sampling-on-Cumberland-Island.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/Transect-sampling-on-Cumberland-Island.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/Transect-sampling-on-Cumberland-Island.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5222904,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/12\/Transect-sampling-on-Cumberland-Island.png?itok=xBr-zea0"}},"678951":{"id":"678951","type":"image","title":"Erosion around the historic property \u201cDungeness\u201d on Cumberland Island, Georgia.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EErosion around the historic property \u201cDungeness\u201d on Cumberland Island, Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768224154","gmt_created":"2026-01-12 13:22:34","changed":"1768224154","gmt_changed":"2026-01-12 13:22:34","alt":"Erosion around the historic property \u201cDungeness\u201d on Cumberland Island, Georgia.","file":{"fid":"263054","name":"Erosion-in-front-of-Dungeness-on-Cumberland.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/Erosion-in-front-of-Dungeness-on-Cumberland.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/Erosion-in-front-of-Dungeness-on-Cumberland.png","mime":"image\/png","size":6900758,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/12\/Erosion-in-front-of-Dungeness-on-Cumberland.png?itok=uvmJsn8X"}},"678952":{"id":"678952","type":"image","title":"Flooding in the town of St. Marys, a town in Camden County, Georgia.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFlooding in the town of St. Marys, a town in Camden County, Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768224154","gmt_created":"2026-01-12 13:22:34","changed":"1768224154","gmt_changed":"2026-01-12 13:22:34","alt":"Flooding in the town of St. Marys, a town in Camden County, Georgia.","file":{"fid":"263055","name":"Flooding-in-St.-Marys.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/Flooding-in-St.-Marys.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/Flooding-in-St.-Marys.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4918395,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/12\/Flooding-in-St.-Marys.png?itok=Ug-RLMae"}}},"media_ids":["678950","678953","678951","678952"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/maryville-marsh-restoration","title":"Researchers and Alumni Aid in $2.6 Million Effort to Restore Salt Marshes in Historic Charleston"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194631","name":"cos-georgia"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"},{"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\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679801":{"#nid":"679801","#data":{"type":"news","title":"At the Intersection of Climate and AI, Machine Learning is Revolutionizing Climate Science","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EExponential growth in big data and computing power is transforming climate science, where machine learning is playing a critical role in mapping the physics of our changing climate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cWhat is happening within the field is revolutionary,\u201d\u0026nbsp;says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EAssociate Chair and Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/annalisabracco\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnnalisa Bracco\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, adding that because many climate-related processes\u0026nbsp;\u2014 from ocean currents to melting glaciers and weather patterns\u0026nbsp;\u2014 can be described with physical equations, these advancements have the potential to help us understand and predict climate in critically important ways.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBracco is the lead author of a new review paper providing a comprehensive look at the intersection of AI and climate physics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe result of an international collaboration between Georgia Tech\u2019s Bracco,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJulien Brajard\u003C\/strong\u003E (Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHenk A. Dijkstra\u003C\/strong\u003E (Utrecht University),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPedram Hassanzadeh\u003C\/strong\u003E (University of Chicago),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EChristian Lessig\u003C\/strong\u003E (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts), and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EClaire Monteleoni\u003C\/strong\u003E (University of Colorado Boulder), the paper, \u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s42254-024-00776-3\u0022\u003EMachine learning for the physics of climate\u003C\/a\u003E,\u2019\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;recently published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Reviews Physics\u003C\/em\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOne of our team\u2019s goals was to help people think deeply on how climate science and AI intersect,\u201d Bracco shares. \u201cMachine learning is allowing us to study the physics of climate in a way that was previously impossible. Coupled with increasing amounts of data and observations, we can now investigate climate at scales and resolutions we\u2019ve never been able to before.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConnecting hidden dots\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team showed that ML is driving change in three key areas: accounting for missing observational data, creating more robust climate models, and enhancing predictions, especially in weather forecasting. However, the research also underscores the limits of AI \u2014 and how researchers can work to fill those gaps.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMachine learning has been fantastic in allowing us to expand the time and the spatial scales for which we have measurements,\u201d says Bracco, explaining that ML could help fill in missing data points \u2014 creating a more robust record for researchers to reference. However, like patching a hole in a shirt, this works best when the rest of the material is intact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMachine learning can extrapolate from past conditions when observations are abundant, but it can\u2019t yet predict future trends or collect the data we need,\u201d Bracco adds. \u201cTo keep advancing, we need scientists who can determine what data we need, collect that data, and solve problems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EModeling climate, predicting weather\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMachine learning is often used when improving climate models that can simulate changing systems like our atmosphere, oceans, land, biochemistry, and ice. \u201cThese models are limited because of our computing power, and are run on a three-dimensional grid,\u201d Bracco explains: below the grid resolution, researchers need to approximate complex physics with simpler equations that computers can solve quickly, a process called \u2018parameterization\u2019.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMachine learning is changing that, offering new ways to improve parameterizations, she says. \u201cWe can run a model at extremely high resolutions for a short time, so that we don\u2019t need to parameterize as many physical processes \u2014 using machine learning to derive the equations that best approximate what is happening at small scales,\u201d she explains. \u201cThen we can use those equations in a coarser model that we can run for hundreds of years.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile a full climate model based solely on machine learning may remain out of reach, the team found that ML is advancing our ability to accurately predict weather systems and some climate phenomena like El Ni\u00f1o.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPreviously, weather prediction was based on knowing the starting conditions \u2014 like temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure \u2014 and running a model based on physics equations to predict what might happen next. Now, machine learning is giving researchers the opportunity to learn from the past. \u201cWe can use information on what has happened when there were similar starting conditions in previous situations to predict the future without solving the underlying governing equations,\u201d Bracco says. \u201cAnd all while using orders-of-magnitude less computing resources.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe human connection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBracco emphasizes that while AI and ML play a critical role in accelerating research, humans are at the core of progress. \u201cI think the in-person collaboration that led to this paper is, in itself, a testament to the importance of human interaction,\u201d she says, recalling that the research was the result of a workshop organized at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.kitp.ucsb.edu\/\u0022\u003EKavli Institute for Theoretical Physics\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 one of the team\u2019s first in-person discussions after the Covid-19 pandemic.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMachine learning is a fantastic tool \u2014 but it\u0027s not the solution to everything,\u201d she adds. \u201cThere is also a real need for human researchers collecting high-quality data, and for interdisciplinary collaboration across fields.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EI see this as a big challenge, but a great opportunity for computer scientists and physicists, mathematicians, biologists, and chemists to work together.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding\u003C\/strong\u003E: National Science Foundation, European Research Council, Office of Naval Research, US Department of Energy, European Space Agency, Choose France Chair in AI.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI\u003C\/strong\u003E:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42254-024-00776-3\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42254-024-00776-3\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA Georgia Tech-led review paper recently published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Reviews Physics\u003C\/em\u003E is exploring the ways machine learning is revolutionizing the field of climate physics \u2014 and the role human scientists might play.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech-led review paper recently published in\u00a0Nature Reviews Physics is exploring the ways machine learning is revolutionizing the field of climate physics \u2014 and the role human scientists might play."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-01-22 17:43:30","changed_gmt":"2026-01-01 18:31:44","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-22T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676086":{"id":"676086","type":"image","title":"Researchers launch a a lightweight, balloon-borne instrument to collect data. \u0022To keep advancing, we need scientists who can determine what data we need, collect that data, and solve problems,\u0022 Bracco says. (NOAA)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers launch a a lightweight, balloon-borne instrument to collect data. \u0022To keep advancing, we need scientists who can determine what data we need, collect that data, and solve problems,\u0022 Bracco says. (NOAA)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1737567826","gmt_created":"2025-01-22 17:43:46","changed":"1737567826","gmt_changed":"2025-01-22 17:43:46","alt":"Researchers launch a a lightweight, balloon-borne instrument to collect data. \u0022To keep advancing, we need scientists who can determine what data we need, collect that data, and solve problems,\u0022 Bracco says. (NOAA)","file":{"fid":"259801","name":"noaa-5hZJVGPG6vo-unsplash.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/22\/noaa-5hZJVGPG6vo-unsplash.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/22\/noaa-5hZJVGPG6vo-unsplash.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2094496,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/22\/noaa-5hZJVGPG6vo-unsplash.jpg?itok=KR8SZhoH"}}},"media_ids":["676086"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"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":"192258","name":"cos-data"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"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\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683063":{"#nid":"683063","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Sparking New Ideas on How Wildfire Influences Climate","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWildfires have spread across the planet for millennia, but they are increasing as the climate warms. Decimated forests, depleted crops, and destroyed buildings are the hallmark of wildfire devastation. Another is the effect on air quality and even the entire climate system. Researchers at Georgia Tech offer solutions for not only surviving \u2014 but also benefiting from \u2014 fire.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/43519\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers monitor wildfires and their impact on air quality and the climate system."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWildfires have spread across the planet for millennia, but they are increasing as the climate warms. Decimated forests, depleted crops, and destroyed buildings are the hallmark of wildfire devastation. Another is the effect on air quality and even the entire climate system. Researchers at Georgia Tech offer solutions for not only surviving \u2014 but also benefiting from \u2014 fire.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers monitor wildfires and their impact on air quality and the climate system."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-07-09 19:19:30","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 16:55:40","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677377":{"id":"677377","type":"image","title":"climate-fire-thumb.jpg","body":null,"created":"1752088776","gmt_created":"2025-07-09 19:19:36","changed":"1752088776","gmt_changed":"2025-07-09 19:19:36","alt":"A male and female researcher working with a metal piece of equipment outdoors with trees and grass in the background","file":{"fid":"261271","name":"climate-fire-thumb.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/09\/climate-fire-thumb.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/09\/climate-fire-thumb.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":952080,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/09\/climate-fire-thumb.jpg?itok=pKFlhVQ6"}}},"media_ids":["677377"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"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":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683422":{"#nid":"683422","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Mapping Georgia\u2019s Urban Forest: Georgia Tech Tools Help Planners Prioritize Tree Canopy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor more than 15 years, Georgia Tech has provided the City of Atlanta with the foundational data and insight that shape how the city tracks, understands, and plans for changes in its tree canopy. The latest cycle of this research \u2014 delivered through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/resilience.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Urban Resilience and Analytics (CURA)\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 continues that legacy by offering a high-resolution, citywide canopy assessment using satellite imagery and field validation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe assessment, funded by the city\u2019s Tree Recompense Fund, uses advanced remote sensing tools such as WorldView-2 satellite data and a random forest classification model to categorize land into three land cover types. These include tree canopy, non-tree vegetation (grass, shrubs, and low lying vegetation) and non-vegetation (water, pervious surface). The methodology delivers a detailed spatial picture of land cover across the city.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is simply a tool in their planning arsenal,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/planning.gatech.edu\/people\/tony-giarrusso\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnthony Giarrusso\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who has led every canopy study since 2008. \u201cBefore they did any of this work in 2008, everything was anecdotal. It was reactionary.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new study is not advocacy \u2014 it\u2019s information. Giarrusso emphasized that while researchers stay neutral in the politics of urban growth and conservation, their work equips city leaders with science-based knowledge to make more effective zoning and planning decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to mapping existing conditions, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/storymaps.arcgis.com\/stories\/b53452fbad5c4cc6a237940bcd08bd7d\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech team developed the Potential Planting Index (PPI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a scalable tool that identifies where tree planting is physically possible based on current land cover. The tool quantifies the difference between tree canopy and non-tree vegetation, indicating zones with restoration potential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother key insight is the challenge of interpreting canopy change without understanding land use patterns. \u201cIt gives you a false sense of stability if you don\u2019t understand the underlying land use,\u201d said Giarrusso. \u201cYou might see canopy regrowth on paper, but that land could be cleared again tomorrow.\u201d He explained that this false signal is particularly common in stalled development sites: \u201cWe saw a lot of properties where trees had regrown after initial clearing, but it was temporary and monoculture, low quality canopy. Several of those areas were cleared again for construction later.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiarrusso pointed to these \u201closs-gain-loss\u201d cycles as one of the more misleading aspects of tree canopy analysis without strong land use context. \u201cSome of them were pipe farms \u2014 land cleared for development with infrastructure like water and sewer lines installed, but then construction never happened. So trees grow back, and you get a canopy gain that doesn\u2019t last and is nowhere near the quality of the trees originally cleared.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe stressed that policymakers need to consider the permanence of canopy when using the data. \u201cIf it\u2019s just going to be cleared again in two years, it\u2019s not really a gain. That\u2019s why long-term tracking and land use analysis together are so important.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe city has incorporated these tools into broader planning efforts, including zoning reform and tree ordinance revisions. The research supports recommendations such as restricting full lot clearing in certain zoning categories and adjusting setback or lot coverage limits to better preserve existing canopy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiarrusso underscored the urgency of protecting larger, intact forested tracts. \u201cIf you can see it from space and it\u2019s still forest \u2014 save it,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce it\u2019s cleared, you don\u2019t get it back.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers developed new statewide canopy assessment tools to help urban planners, policymakers, and communities make data-informed decisions for climate resilience.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers developed new statewide canopy assessment tools to help urban planners, policymakers, and communities make data-informed decisions for climate resilience."}],"uid":"36761","created_gmt":"2025-07-31 19:26:56","changed_gmt":"2025-12-31 16:38:16","author":"malonso35","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-31T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-31T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"587356":{"id":"587356","type":"image","title":"Trees around Einstein Statue","body":null,"created":"1487015393","gmt_created":"2017-02-13 19:49:53","changed":"1487015393","gmt_changed":"2017-02-13 19:49:53","alt":"Trees around Einstein","file":{"fid":"223847","name":"16C10400-P15-015.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16C10400-P15-015.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/16C10400-P15-015.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2802823,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/16C10400-P15-015.jpg?itok=uBcC4GSz"}}},"media_ids":["587356"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"179325","name":"urban canopy"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["Melissa.Alonso@design.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686924":{"#nid":"686924","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Outside the Box: The Adaptation of Georgia Tech\u2019s Beekeeper in Residence From Advertising to Apiaries ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDuring her years working in the advertising and marketing industry,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EDeb DeWitt\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ebecame increasingly intrigued by beekeeping. The timing, however, was never quite right.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBusy with her career and family, DeWitt tucked the idea away \u2014 until she stepped back from the professional world and knew it was time to pursue keeping bees. She enrolled in a one-day beekeeping class that was offered by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/metroatlantabeekeepers.org\/\u0022\u003EMetro Atlanta Beekeepers Association\u003C\/a\u003E. From there, DeWitt learned the fundamentals, purchased her first honey bees, and began the fascinating \u2014 and sometimes mystifying \u2014 work of caring for them in her backyard.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELike many new beekeepers, she faced steep challenges: sick bees, failing colonies, secondary pests, and ensuring her hives had enough resources to survive winter. But DeWitt says that she also discovered how remarkably generous and supportive the beekeeping community is. She connected with mentors and attended local bee club meetings and state conferences where researchers shared their latest findings. Beekeeping became meaningful in ways she had never anticipated.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI fell in love with honey bees and all things related. There is an innate spirituality in keeping bees,\u201d she says. \u201cOnce I put the veil on, life slows to a standstill and becomes a walking meditation into a delicately complex and endlessly fascinating world.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHer marketing background came full circle too. \u201cLike any creative endeavor, beekeepers must be keenly observant,\u201d DeWitt explains. \u201cWe have to think outside the box, pivot quickly, anticipate problems, and plan ahead.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs her colony numbers grew, so did her reach. DeWitt established apiaries at several metro Atlanta schools and at sites in Chattahoochee Hills, Grant Park, Brookhaven, Arabia Mountain, and Brevard, North Carolina. Along the way, she earned her Master Beekeeper certification from Cornell University, served as the central regional director for the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gabeekeeping.com\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Beekeepers Association\u003C\/a\u003E, taught beekeeping to incarcerated individuals through the Georgia Department of Corrections, and partnered with tree companies to rescue wild honey bee colonies living in trees slated for removal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EServing as the Beekeeper in Residence\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis breadth of experience prepared her for a unique opportunity: becoming Georgia Tech\u2019s 2025 Beekeeper in Residence with the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/bees\/\u0022\u003EUrban Honey Bee Project\u003C\/a\u003E. The one-year residency, DeWitt says, offered \u201ca rare opportunity to be part of the Georgia Tech community,\u201d allowing her to explore new ideas in beekeeping while tending to and expanding the rooftop hives at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/livingbuilding.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EThe Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Urban Honey Bee Project, an interdisciplinary initiative of Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EOffice of Sustainability\u003C\/a\u003E, established the Beekeeper in Residence program to maintain colonies at The Kendeda Building and in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/facilities.gatech.edu\/ecocommons\u0022\u003EEcoCommons\u003C\/a\u003E, mentor student beekeepers, and enrich the program with diverse expertise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cDeb did so much this year \u2014 working closely with the Beekeeping Club, keeping our hives healthy, and even rehoming a wild hive from a dead tree on campus,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/expert\/jennifer-leavey\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Leavey\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant dean for faculty mentoring in the College of Sciences and director of the Urban Honey Bee Project. \u201cMost importantly, Deb showed our students how an expert beekeeper approaches hive care. She took every opportunity to include them, and it made a real impact.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech undergraduate\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAlyssa Zhang\u003C\/strong\u003E agrees. \u201cThe Beekeeping Club loved working with Deb. She was always happy to teach us \u2014 whether it was managing Varroa mites last summer, when she helped reduce counts from 17% to below 1%, or preparing the hives for winter.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProtecting intelligent pollinators\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Varroa mite is one of many pressures beekeepers face. \u201cThe biggest challenges affecting honey bees \u2014 as well as native bees and other pollinators \u2014 are climate change, habitat loss, pesticide use, pests, and pathogens,\u201d DeWitt explains. \u201cThese factors contributed to U.S. commercial beekeepers losing a devastating average of 62% of their colonies last year.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHoney bees play a critical role in pollinating food crops and producing honey and beeswax. These threats fuel DeWitt\u2019s passion for education, mentorship, and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. Yet, the most meaningful rewards are personal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cHoney bee colonies are superorganisms \u2014 tens of thousands of individuals working together for the good of the hive,\u201d she adds. \u201cBees are intelligent, endlessly fascinating creatures, and I never stop learning from them. Beekeeping has made me a better gardener, horticulturist, ecologist, conservationist, carpenter, biologist, scientist, student, teacher, problem solver\u2026 you name it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERecognized across Georgia\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHer passion for the craft is unmistakable. In 2025, DeWitt received one of the state\u2019s highest honors: Georgia Beekeepers Association\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gabeekeeping.com\/Beekeeper-of-the-Year\u0022\u003EBeekeeper of the Year Award\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI am profoundly grateful to the state\u2019s beekeeping community for recognizing my efforts over the past eight years,\u201d says DeWitt. \u201cThis award reflects the mentorship I\u2019ve received from some truly exceptional beekeepers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMarketer-turned-beekeeper Deb DeWitt serves as Georgia Tech\u0027s Beekeeper in Residence and receives the Georgia Beekeepers Association\u2019s Beekeeper of the Year Award.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Marketer-turned-beekeeper Deb DeWitt serves as Georgia Tech\u0027s Beekeeper in Residence and receives the Georgia Beekeepers Association\u2019s Beekeeper of the Year Award."}],"uid":"27465","created_gmt":"2025-12-16 22:19:18","changed_gmt":"2025-12-17 20:36:58","author":"Annette Filliat","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678876":{"id":"678876","type":"image","title":"Deb DeWitt serves as Georgia Tech\u2019s 2025 Beekeeper in Residence with the Urban Honey Bee Project. ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDeb DeWitt serves as Georgia Tech\u2019s 2025 Beekeeper in Residence with the Urban Honey Bee Project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1766001431","gmt_created":"2025-12-17 19:57:11","changed":"1766002974","gmt_changed":"2025-12-17 20:22:54","alt":"Woman standing with a honeycomb.","file":{"fid":"262966","name":"Deb-DeWitt.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/17\/Deb-DeWitt.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/17\/Deb-DeWitt.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6215201,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/17\/Deb-DeWitt.jpg?itok=L_TiZuFL"}},"678878":{"id":"678878","type":"image","title":"Left to right: Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt, alumna Tosin Adedipe (BME 2025), and Jennifer Leavey, assistant dean for faculty mentoring in the College of Sciences and director of the Urban Honey Bee Project","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELeft to right: Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt, alumna Tosin Adedipe (BME 2025), and Jennifer Leavey, assistant dean for faculty mentoring in the College of Sciences and director of the Urban Honey Bee Project\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1766001666","gmt_created":"2025-12-17 20:01:06","changed":"1766003099","gmt_changed":"2025-12-17 20:24:59","alt":"Three women with one of them holding beekeeping equipment.","file":{"fid":"262968","name":"DDewitt-JLeavey-Tosin.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/17\/DDewitt-JLeavey-Tosin.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/17\/DDewitt-JLeavey-Tosin.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":762068,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/17\/DDewitt-JLeavey-Tosin.jpeg?itok=3PPC0_Gs"}},"678882":{"id":"678882","type":"image","title":"Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt (center) educates undergraduate students Omar Malik (left) and Alyssa Zhang (right). ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBeekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt\u0026nbsp;(center) educates undergraduate students Omar Malik (left) and Alyssa Zhang (right).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1766003609","gmt_created":"2025-12-17 20:33:29","changed":"1766003609","gmt_changed":"2025-12-17 20:33:29","alt":"Three people, including a woman in a bee-keeping hat.","file":{"fid":"262972","name":"Dewitt-AlyssaZhang-OmarMalik--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/17\/Dewitt-AlyssaZhang-OmarMalik--1-_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/17\/Dewitt-AlyssaZhang-OmarMalik--1-_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":676158,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/17\/Dewitt-AlyssaZhang-OmarMalik--1-_0.jpg?itok=EFEO_Mfn"}},"678883":{"id":"678883","type":"image","title":"Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt discusses important pollinators at Georgia Tech\u0027s Honeypalooza. ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBeekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt discusses important pollinators at Georgia Tech\u0027s Honeypalooza.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1766003727","gmt_created":"2025-12-17 20:35:27","changed":"1766003727","gmt_changed":"2025-12-17 20:35:27","alt":"Woman teaching a class and holding a honeycomb.","file":{"fid":"262973","name":"Honeypalooza_Kendeda.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/17\/Honeypalooza_Kendeda_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/17\/Honeypalooza_Kendeda_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3074892,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/17\/Honeypalooza_Kendeda_0.jpg?itok=IVXudvBm"}}},"media_ids":["678876","678878","678882","678883"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/happy-world-bee-day-inside-urban-honey-bee-project","title":"Happy World Bee Day: Inside the Urban Honey Bee Project\u00a0"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/janelle-dunlap-turns-beekeeping-art","title":"Janelle Dunlap Turns Beekeeping Into Art "}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"177142","name":"beekeeping"},{"id":"180897","name":"honey bees"},{"id":"70141","name":"Georgia Tech Urban Honey Bee Project"},{"id":"187127","name":"Georgia Tech College of Sciences"},{"id":"192081","name":"office of sustainability"},{"id":"177739","name":"Kendeda Building"},{"id":"79481","name":"ecocommons"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter: Annette Filliat\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEditor: Selena Langner\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["afilliat@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685663":{"#nid":"685663","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Method Uses Collisions to Break Down Plastic for Sustainable Recycling","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile plastics help enable modern standards of living, their accumulation in landfills and the overall environment continues to grow as a global concern.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the world\u2019s most widely used plastics, with tens of millions of tons produced annually in the production of bottles, food packaging, and clothing fibers. The durability that makes PET so useful also means that it is more difficult to recycle efficiently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, researchers have developed a method to break down PET using mechanical forces instead of heat or harsh chemicals. Published in the journal \u003Cem\u003EChem\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451929425003456\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Etheir findings\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E demonstrate how a \u201cmechanochemical\u201d method \u2014 chemical reactions driven by mechanical forces such as collisions \u2014 can rapidly convert PET back into its basic building blocks, opening a path toward faster, cleaner recycling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELed by postdoctoral researcher Kinga Go\u0142\u0105bek and Professor Carsten Sievers of Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the research team hit solid pieces of PET with metal balls with the same force they would experience in a machine called a ball mill. This can make the PET react with other solid chemicals such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), generating enough energy to break the plastic\u2019s chemical bonds at room temperature, without the need for hazardous solvents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re showing that mechanical impacts can help decompose plastics into their original molecules in a controllable and efficient way,\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sievers.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESievers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E said. \u201cThis could transform the recycling of plastics into a more sustainable process.\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\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMapping the Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn demonstrating the process, the researchers used controlled single-impact experiments along with advanced computer simulations to map how energy from collisions distributes across the plastic and triggers chemical and structural transformations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese experiments showed changes in structure and chemistry of PET in tiny zones that experience different pressures and heat. By mapping these transformations, the team gained new insights into how mechanical energy can trigger rapid, efficient chemical reactions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis understanding could help engineers design industrial-scale recycling systems that are faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient,\u201d Go\u0142\u0105bek said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreaking Down Plastic\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach collision created a tiny crater, with the center absorbing the most energy. In this zone, the plastic stretched, cracked, and even softened slightly, creating ideal conditions for chemical reactions with sodium hydroxide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHigh-resolution imaging and spectroscopy revealed that the normally ordered polymer chains became disordered in the crater center, while some chains broke into smaller fragments, increasing the surface area exposed to the reactant. Even without sodium hydroxide, mechanical impact alone caused minor chain breaking, showing that mechanical force itself can trigger chemical change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe study also showed the importance of the amount of energy delivered by each impact. Low-energy collisions only slightly disturb PET, but stronger impacts cause cracks and plastic deformation, exposing new surfaces that can react with sodium hydroxide for rapid chemical breakdown.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnderstanding this energy threshold allows engineers to optimize mechanochemical recycling, maximizing efficiency while minimizing unnecessary energy use,\u201d Sievers explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClosing the Loop on Plastic Waste\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese findings point toward a future where plastics can be fully recycled back into their original building blocks, rather than being downcycled or discarded. By harnessing mechanical energy instead of heat or harsh chemicals, recycling could become faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis approach could help close the loop on plastic waste,\u201d Sievers said. \u201cWe could imagine recycling systems where everyday plastics are processed mechanochemically, giving waste new life repeatedly and reducing environmental impact.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team now plans to test real-world waste streams and explore whether similar methods can work for other difficult-to-recycle plastics, bringing mechanochemical recycling closer to industrial use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith millions of tons of PET produced every year, improving recycling efficiency could significantly reduce plastic pollution and help protect ecosystems worldwide,\u201d Go\u0142\u0105bek said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECITATION: Kinga Go\u0142\u0105bek, Yuchen Chang, Lauren R. Mellinger, Mariana V. Rodrigues, Cau\u00ea de Souza Coutinho Nogueira, Fabio B. Passos, Yutao Xing, Aline Ribeiro Passos, Mohammed H. Saffarini, Austin B. Isner, David S. Sholl, Carsten Sievers, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451929425003456\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpatially-resolved reaction environments in mechanochemical upcycling of polymers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EChem\u003C\/em\u003E, 2025.\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\u003EResearchers have developed a method to break down polyethylene terephthalate, one of the world\u2019s most widely used plastics, using mechanical forces instead of heat or harsh chemicals. Published in the journal \u003Cem\u003EChem\u003C\/em\u003E, their findings demonstrate how a \u201cmechanochemical\u201d method \u2014 chemical reactions driven by mechanical forces such as collisions \u2014 can rapidly convert PET back into its basic building blocks, opening a path toward faster, cleaner recycling.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have developed a method to break down PET, one of the world\u2019s most widely used plastics, for sustainable recycling using mechanical forces instead of heat or harsh chemicals."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2025-10-10 16:09:50","changed_gmt":"2025-12-10 20:34:48","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678329":{"id":"678329","type":"image","title":"sieversballmachine.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe high impact between the metal balls in a ball mill reactor and the polymer surface is suffi\u0002cient to momentarily liquefy the polymer and facilitate chemical reactions.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760112196","gmt_created":"2025-10-10 16:03:16","changed":"1760112196","gmt_changed":"2025-10-10 16:03:16","alt":"The high impact between the metal balls in a ball mill reactor and the polymer surface is suffi\u0002cient to momentarily liquefy the polymer and facilitate chemical reactions.","file":{"fid":"262342","name":"sieversballmachine.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/sieversballmachine.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/sieversballmachine.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":240481,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/10\/sieversballmachine.jpg?itok=WPkvqn7-"}},"678330":{"id":"678330","type":"image","title":"Kinga-Golabek.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EKinga Go\u0142\u0105bek\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760112262","gmt_created":"2025-10-10 16:04:22","changed":"1760112262","gmt_changed":"2025-10-10 16:04:22","alt":"Kinga Golabek","file":{"fid":"262343","name":"Kinga-Golabek.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/Kinga-Golabek.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/Kinga-Golabek.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":103075,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/10\/Kinga-Golabek.jpg?itok=ZljPVPOR"}},"678331":{"id":"678331","type":"image","title":"sievers2023webcrop.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProf. Carsten Sievers\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760116175","gmt_created":"2025-10-10 17:09:35","changed":"1760116175","gmt_changed":"2025-10-10 17:09:35","alt":"Professor Carsten Sievers","file":{"fid":"262347","name":"sievers2023webcrop.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/sievers2023webcrop.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/sievers2023webcrop.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":116072,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/10\/sievers2023webcrop.jpg?itok=QeQj0eFu"}}},"media_ids":["678329","678330","678331"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"5607","name":"chemical recycling"},{"id":"14536","name":"plastic"},{"id":"194823","name":"plastic recycling"},{"id":"171925","name":"mechanochemistry"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable 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":"\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":""}},"686804":{"#nid":"686804","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Karl Lang Earns Scialog Grant to Advance Critical Minerals Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrom cell phones to fighter jets, modern technology depends on critical minerals\u0026nbsp;\u2014 yet extracting and processing them\u0026nbsp;often harm the environment and strain supply chains.\u0026nbsp;Understanding how these minerals behave at the atomic level could unlock new ways to stabilize, recycle, and sustain these resources that power our world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E Assistant Professor\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/lang-karl\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKarl Lang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E recently earned a Scialog grant to explore one of the most fundamental questions in mineral science: why some minerals withstand radiation damage without breaking down.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cCritical minerals is a buzzword right now, but what\u2019s interesting is that many of these so-called minerals are actually rare earth elements (REEs),\u201d explains Lang. \u201cWhat we will study is how radiation can help liberate these REEs from ore minerals.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding the future\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELang is one of 50 Scialog Fellows selected for the second generation of\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rescorp.org\/scialog\/sustainable-minerals-metals-materials\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Scialog: Sustainable Minerals, Metals, and Materials\u003C\/a\u003E, a three-year initiative designed to spark bold ideas for addressing how society acquires, uses, and recycles critical materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EScialog, which stands for \u201cScience + Dialogue,\u201d is supported by the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rescorp.org\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Research Corporation for Science Advancement\u003C\/a\u003E, the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sloan.org\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Alfred P. Sloan Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.kavlifoundation.org\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;The Kavli Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E. The program funds high-risk, high-reward projects to\u0026nbsp;address scientific challenges of global significance, while supporting dialogue and community-building across fields.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWhat makes Scialog exciting is that it intentionally brings together scientists from very different fields to tackle a giant, multifaceted problem,\u201d says Lang. \u201cIt\u2019s a fun and creative way to spark ideas that wouldn\u2019t happen in isolation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELang and the other Scialog Fellows recently met for a series of focused conversations about the challenges and gaps in current critical minerals knowledge, and by the end of the conference, they were sorted into teams to develop and propose ideas for cross-disciplinary\u0026nbsp;research projects. Eighteen $60,000 grants were ultimately awarded, including one from the Kavli Foundation to Lang and his research partner,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EClaudia E. Avalos\u003C\/strong\u003E, from New York University. Their project,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EAn Atomic-Level Perspective on Radiation Damage Annealing with Advanced SSNMR Spectroscopy,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ewill investigate how minerals respond to radiation over time and how they can be stabilized or recycled\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;knowledge vital for sustainable resource management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAtomic-level resilience\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAt Georgia Tech, Lang leads the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatechtonics.info\/\u0022\u003ETECHtonics Research Group\u003C\/a\u003E, which uses radiometric dating of critical minerals to measure changes in geological Earth\u2019s surface and lithosphere. He will team up with Avalos, a recognized expert in magnetic resonance spectroscopy, combining their talents to study the mineral monazite, an important ore for REEs commonly found in beach sands. In addition to REEs, monazite also contains high levels of uranium and thorium, radioactive elements. Despite this natural radioactivity, monazite can retain a crystal structure for millions of years. This mineral\u2019s unique ability to resist radiation damage may help explain why it is also a valuable ore for REEs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cYou can think of mineral lattice structures like a cage, and the uranium and thorium are like exploding bombs inside,\u201d says Lang. \u201cDespite the explosions, the cage either doesn\u2019t break at all or, quite possibly, heals itself. We want to understand that process at the atomic level.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELang hopes that understanding why certain minerals maintain their crystal structure (despite radiation damage) could inform strategies for recycling REEs, improving extraction processes, and designing materials that last longer\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;advancing science that could shape the future of resource management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re using a high-tech tool to study why these minerals don\u2019t break down under radiation damage,\u201d adds Lang. \u201cIt\u2019s not applied research; it\u2019s about answering a fundamental question.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKarl Lang will investigate why some minerals survive radiation damage\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;a discovery that could transform how we recycle and sustain the critical resources powering modern technology.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Karl Lang will investigate why some minerals survive radiation damage \u2014 a discovery that could transform how we recycle and sustain the critical resources powering modern technology."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2025-12-09 16:55:50","changed_gmt":"2025-12-09 17:32:13","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678806":{"id":"678806","type":"image","title":"Karl Lang","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKarl Lang\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1765299372","gmt_created":"2025-12-09 16:56:12","changed":"1765299372","gmt_changed":"2025-12-09 16:56:12","alt":"Man standing in front of grassy area in nature.","file":{"fid":"262889","name":"IMG_0649.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/09\/IMG_0649.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/09\/IMG_0649.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1853717,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/09\/IMG_0649.JPG?itok=gm0fcXIO"}}},"media_ids":["678806"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/frances-rivera-hernandez-lands-nasa-and-scialog-grants-planetary-research-signatures-life","title":"Frances Rivera-Hern\u00e1ndez Lands NASA and Scialog Grants for Planetary Research, Signatures of Life"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/05\/06\/how-us-can-mine-its-own-critical-minerals-without-digging-new-holes","title":"How the US Can Mine Its Own Critical Minerals \u2014 Without Digging New Holes"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192996","name":"rare earth elements"},{"id":"184997","name":"Scialog"},{"id":"61541","name":"Earth and Atmospheric Sciences"}],"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\u003ELaura Segraves Smith, writer\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681603":{"#nid":"681603","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Study: Burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers is the best available option for bulk maritime shipping","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen the International Maritime Organization enacted a mandatory cap on the sulfur content of marine fuels in 2020, with an eye toward reducing harmful environmental and health impacts, it left shipping companies with three main options.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey could burn low-sulfur fossil fuels, like marine gas oil, or install cleaning systems to remove sulfur from the exhaust gas produced by burning heavy fuel oil. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cba.mit.edu\/docs\/papers\/22.01.biofuel.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBiofuels with lower sulfur content\u003C\/a\u003E offer another alternative, though their limited availability makes them a less feasible option.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile installing exhaust gas cleaning systems, known as scrubbers, is the most feasible and cost-effective option, there has been a great deal of uncertainty among firms, policymakers, and scientists as to how \u201cgreen\u201d these scrubbers are.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough a novel lifecycle assessment, researchers from MIT, Georgia Tech, and elsewhere have now found that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers in the open ocean can match or surpass using low-sulfur fuels, when a wide variety of environmental factors is considered.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scientists combined data on the production and operation of scrubbers and fuels with emissions measurements taken onboard an oceangoing cargo ship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey found that, when the entire supply chain is considered, burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers was the least harmful option in terms of nearly all 10 environmental impact factors they studied, such as greenhouse gas emissions, terrestrial acidification, and ozone formation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn our collaboration with Oldendorff Carriers to broadly explore reducing the environmental impact of shipping, this study of scrubbers turned out to be an unexpectedly deep and important transitional issue,\u201d says Neil Gershenfeld, an MIT professor, director of the Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA), and senior author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cClaims about environmental hazards and policies to mitigate them should be backed by science. You need to see the data, be objective, and design studies that take into account the full picture to be able to compare different options from an apples-to-apples perspective,\u201d adds lead author \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/patricia-stathatou\u0022\u003EPatricia Stathatou\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor at Georgia Tech\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, who began this study as a postdoc in the CBA.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStathatou is joined on the paper by Michael Triantafyllou and others at the National Technical University of Athens in Greece and the maritime shipping firm Oldendorff Carriers. The research \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acs.est.4c10006\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eappears today in \u003Cem\u003EEnvironmental Science and Technology.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESlashing sulfur emissions\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHeavy fuel oil, traditionally burned by bulk carriers that make up about 30 percent of the global maritime fleet, usually has a sulfur content around 2 to 3 percent. This is far higher than the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.imo.org\/en\/MediaCentre\/PressBriefings\/pages\/34-IMO-2020-sulphur-limit-.aspx#:~:text=and%20the%20environment.-,From%201%20January%202020%20the%20global%20upper%20limit%20on%20the,the%20limit%20is%20already%200.10%25.\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInternational Maritime Organization\u2019s 2020 cap\u003C\/a\u003E of 0.5 percent in most areas of the ocean and 0.1 percent in areas near population centers\u0026nbsp;or environmentally sensitive regions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESulfur oxide emissions contribute to air pollution and acid rain, and can damage the human respiratory system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2018, fewer than 1,000 vessels employed scrubbers. After the cap went into place, higher prices of low-sulfur fossil fuels and limited availability of alternative fuels led many firms to install scrubbers so they could keep burning heavy fuel oil.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lloydslist.com\/LL1150318\/Shipowners-still-adding-more-scrubbers-via-newbuildings-not-retrofits\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Emore than 5,800\u003C\/a\u003E vessels utilize scrubbers, the majority of which are wet, open-loop scrubbers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cScrubbers are a very mature technology. They have traditionally been used for decades in land-based applications like power plants to remove pollutants,\u201d Stathatou says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA wet, open-loop marine scrubber is a huge, metal, vertical tank\u0026nbsp;installed in a ship\u2019s exhaust stack, above the engines. Inside, seawater drawn from the ocean is sprayed through a series of nozzles downward to wash the hot exhaust gases as they exit the engines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe seawater interacts with sulfur dioxide in the exhaust, converting it to sulfates \u2014 water-soluble, environmentally benign compounds that naturally occur in seawater. The washwater is released back into the ocean, while the cleaned exhaust escapes to the atmosphere with little to no sulfur dioxide emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the acidic washwater can contain other combustion byproducts like heavy metals, so scientists wondered if scrubbers were comparable, from a holistic environmental point of view, to burning low-sulfur fuels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral studies explored toxicity of washwater and fuel system pollution, but none painted a full picture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers set out to fill that scientific gap.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA \u201cwell-to-wake\u201d analysis\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team conducted a lifecycle assessment using a global environmental database on production and transport of fossil fuels, such as heavy fuel oil, marine gas oil, and very-low sulfur fuel oil. Considering the entire lifecycle of each fuel is key, since producing low-sulfur fuel requires extra processing steps in the refinery, causing additional emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate matter.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we just look at everything that happens before the fuel is bunkered onboard the vessel, heavy fuel oil is significantly more low-impact, environmentally, than low-sulfur fuels,\u201d she says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers also collaborated with a scrubber manufacturer to obtain detailed information on all materials, production processes, and transportation steps involved in marine scrubber fabrication and installation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf you consider that the scrubber has a lifetime of about 20 years, the environmental impacts of producing the scrubber over its lifetime are negligible compared to producing heavy fuel oil,\u201d she adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the final piece, Stathatou spent a week onboard a bulk carrier vessel in China to measure emissions and gather seawater and washwater samples. The ship burned heavy fuel oil with a scrubber and low-sulfur fuels under similar ocean conditions and engine settings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollecting these onboard data was the most challenging part of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAll the safety gear, combined with the heat and the noise from the engines on a moving ship, was very overwhelming,\u201d she says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir results showed that scrubbers reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 97 percent, putting heavy fuel oil on par with low-sulfur fuels according to that measure. The researchers saw similar trends for emissions of other pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, they tested washwater samples for more than 60 chemical parameters, including nitrogen, phosphorus, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 23 metals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe concentrations of chemicals regulated by the IMO were far below the organization\u2019s requirements. For unregulated chemicals, the researchers compared the concentrations to the strictest limits for industrial effluents from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and European Union.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost chemical concentrations were at least an order of magnitude below these requirements.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, since washwater is diluted thousands of times as it is dispersed by a moving vessel, the concentrations of such chemicals would be even lower in the open ocean.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese findings suggest that the use of scrubbers with heavy fuel oil can be considered as equal to or more environmentally friendly than low-sulfur fuels across many of the impact categories the researchers studied.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis study demonstrates the scientific complexity of the waste stream of scrubbers. Having finally conducted a multiyear, comprehensive, and peer-reviewed study, commonly held fears and assumptions are now put to rest,\u201d says Scott Bergeron, managing director at Oldendorff Carriers and co-author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis first-of-its-kind study on a well-to-wake basis provides very valuable input to ongoing discussion at the IMO,\u201d adds Thomas Klenum, executive vice president of innovation and regulatory affairs at the Liberian Registry, emphasizing the need \u201cfor regulatory decisions to be made based on scientific studies providing factual data and conclusions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, this study shows the importance of incorporating lifecycle assessments into future environmental impact reduction policies, Stathatou says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere is all this discussion about switching to alternative fuels in the future, but how green are these fuels? We must do our due diligence to compare them equally with existing solutions to see the costs and benefits,\u201d she adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis study was supported, in part, by Oldendorff Carriers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E- Written by Adam Zewe, MIT News Office\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Researchers analyzed the full lifecycle of several fuel options and found this approach has a comparable environmental impact, overall, to burning low-sulfur fuels.ulfur fuels"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers found that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers is the best available option for bulk maritime shipping. They analyzed the full lifecycle of several fuel options and found this approach has a comparable environmental impact, overall, to burning low-sulfur fuels.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers found that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers is the best available option for bulk maritime shipping. They analyzed the full lifecycle of several fuel options and found this ble environmental impact, overall, to burning low-sulfur fuels."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2025-04-04 15:07:46","changed_gmt":"2025-12-02 05:09:27","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-04T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-04T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676754":{"id":"676754","type":"image","title":"Barge.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHedwig Oldendorff vessel at the start of its emission monitoring voyage\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743779290","gmt_created":"2025-04-04 15:08:10","changed":"1743779290","gmt_changed":"2025-04-04 15:08:10","alt":"Hedwig Oldendorff vessel at the start of its emission monitoring voyage","file":{"fid":"260584","name":"Barge.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/Barge.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/Barge.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":460117,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/04\/Barge.jpg?itok=TPA-HrNw"}},"676756":{"id":"676756","type":"image","title":"stathatou.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe study\u0027s lead author Patricia Stathatou is now an assistant professor at Georgia Tech. She began this study as a postdoc in MIT\u0027s Center for Bits and Atoms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743788582","gmt_created":"2025-04-04 17:43:02","changed":"1743788582","gmt_changed":"2025-04-04 17:43:02","alt":"Patricia Stathatou","file":{"fid":"260586","name":"stathatou.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/stathatou.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/stathatou.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4211128,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/04\/stathatou.jpeg?itok=apdajdKM"}},"676758":{"id":"676758","type":"image","title":"MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPatricia Stathatou onboard a bulk carrier vessel to measure emissions and gather seawater and washwater samples. The image shows (from left to right) measuring emissions upstream of the scrubber, Stathatou downsteam of the scrubber, and the enginer room aboard the bulk carrier vessel.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743789998","gmt_created":"2025-04-04 18:06:38","changed":"1743789998","gmt_changed":"2025-04-04 18:06:38","alt":"Patricia Stathatou onboard a bulk carrier vessel to measure emissions and gather seawater and washwater samples. The image shows (from left to right) measuring emissions upstream of the scrubber, Stathatou downsteam of the scrubber, and the enginer room aboard the bulk carrier vessel.","file":{"fid":"260588","name":"MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":590456,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-02-press.jpg?itok=nlY9tqi2"}},"676759":{"id":"676759","type":"image","title":"MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStathatou (center) onboard the Hedwig Oldendorff vessel with crew members.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743790073","gmt_created":"2025-04-04 18:07:53","changed":"1743790073","gmt_changed":"2025-04-04 18:07:53","alt":"Stathatou (center) onboard the Hedwig Oldendorff vessel with the crew.","file":{"fid":"260589","name":"MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":483298,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/04\/MIT-Scrubber-Perform-03-press.jpg?itok=gulsavIr"}}},"media_ids":["676754","676756","676758","676759"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2342","name":"biofuels"},{"id":"170910","name":"shipping"},{"id":"190761","name":"maritime"},{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"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\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686380":{"#nid":"686380","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A 30-Year \u201cSnapshot\u201d of Pacific Northwestern Birds Shows Their Surprising Resilience","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA 30-year \u201csnapshot study\u201d of birds in the Pacific Northwest is showing their surprising resilience in the face of climate change. The project started when School of Biological Sciences Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/benjamin%20freeman\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBenjamin Freeman\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Efound\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/jem-online.org\/index.php\/jem\/article\/view\/232\u0022\u003Ea study by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELouise Waterhouse\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E detailing birds in the mountains near Vancouver three decades ago. What followed was an ecological scavenger hunt: Freeman revisited each of the old field sites, navigating using his local knowledge and Waterhouse\u2019s hand-drawn maps.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman, who grew up in Seattle, mainly studies the ecology of tropical birds \u2014 but the discovery of Waterhouse\u2019s paper made him curious about research closer to home. The results were surprising: over the last three decades, most of the bird populations in the region were stable and had been increasing in abundance at higher elevations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/ecy.70193\u0022\u003EPacific Northwest birds have shifted their abundances upslope in response to 30\u2009years of warming temperatures\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d was published in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EEcology\u003C\/em\u003E this fall.\u0026nbsp;In addition to lead author Freeman, the team also included\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHarold Eyster\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(The Nature Conservancy),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJulian Heavyside\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(University of British Columbia),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EDaniel Yip\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(Canadian Wildlife Service),\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMonica Mather\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(British Columbia Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship), and Waterhouse\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Coast Area Research).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt is great news that most birds in the region are resilient, and by doing this work, we can focus on the species that do need help, like the Canada Jay, which is struggling in this region,\u201d Freeman says. \u201cStudies like this help us focus resources and effort.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESongbirds and snow\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EConducting the fieldwork was a detective game, Freeman says. Each day, he would wake up at four in the morning to locate and visit the research areas \u2014 often navigating trails, open forest, and rough terrain on foot.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis area of the Pacific Northwest is punctuated with old-growth stands of trees \u2014 sections of forest that have never been logged or altered. \u201cThese areas feel like islands,\u201d Freeman shares. \u201cThey feel ancient and untouched, but even in pristine habitats, birds are still responding to climate change.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMost of the work was conducted during the birds\u2019 breeding season, from late May into June. This is when the birds are most vocal, which is ideal for surveys, Freeman says. The downside? Even in June, there is often snow in the mountains. \u201cI was out at dawn, hiking through snow in the freezing cold, wondering why I didn\u2019t stay in bed,\u201d he recalls. \u201cBut then I\u2019d hear birds singing all around me and realize it was all worth it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUpward expansion \u2014 and resilience\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBy comparing the two \u201csnapshots,\u201d the team showed that while temperatures have increased over the last 30 years, most bird populations in the region haven\u2019t declined \u2014 but they have become more abundant at higher elevations. \u201cIt\u2019s encouraging,\u201d Freeman says. \u201cThirty years of warming has led to changes, but for the most part, these bird populations are mostly stable or improving.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOne reason for this resilience could be the stability that old growth forests provide, and Freeman suggests that conserving wide swaths of mountain habitat might help birds thrive as they continue to adapt, while still supporting populations at lower elevations. The study also helps identify which bird species need additional support, like the Canada Jay \u2014 a gray and white bird known for following hikers in pursuit of dropped snacks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s just one piece of Freeman\u2019s larger research goal \u2014 he aims to do this type of snapshot research in many different places to identify general patterns, especially differences in temperate versus tropical environments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIn the tropics, most bird species are vulnerable, with only a few resilient species. In the Pacific Northwest, we saw the opposite,\u201d he says. \u201cA pattern is emerging: temperate zones show more resilience, tropics more vulnerability.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman is also conducting research with a group of students in Northern Georgia. \u201cWe predict that these Appalachian birds will be resilient as well,\u201d he says, \u201cbut we need to study and understand what\u2019s happening in nature \u2014 not just make predictions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDOI:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ecy.70193\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ecy.70193\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: Packard Foundation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAfter discovering a historic bird survey in the Pacific Northwest, Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EBen Freeman\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Elocated the original sites, repeating the surveys three decades later. Each day, he would wake up at four in the morning to locate and visit the research areas \u2014 often navigating trails, open forest, and rough terrain on foot.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"After discovering a historic bird survey in the Pacific Northwest, Georgia Tech\u2019s\u00a0Ben Freeman\u00a0located the original sites, repeating the surveys three decades later."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-11-12 14:22:25","changed_gmt":"2025-11-14 21:26:39","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678597":{"id":"678597","type":"image","title":"The Canada Jay is one of the birds struggling in the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Mason Maron)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Canada Jay is one of the birds struggling in the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Mason Maron)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762959555","gmt_created":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","changed":"1762959555","gmt_changed":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","alt":"The Canada Jay is one of the birds struggling in the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Mason Maron)","file":{"fid":"262652","name":"Canada_Jay.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/Canada_Jay.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/Canada_Jay.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":11607706,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/12\/Canada_Jay.jpg?itok=-KvA6Vn1"}},"678599":{"id":"678599","type":"image","title":"A placard still standing from the original surveys conducted in the early 90\u0027s. Finding these original sites was a \u0022scavenger hunt,\u0022 Freeman says. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA placard still standing from the original surveys conducted in the early 90\u0027s. Finding these original sites was a \u0022scavenger hunt,\u0022 Freeman says. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762959555","gmt_created":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","changed":"1762959555","gmt_changed":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","alt":"A placard still standing from the original surveys conducted in the early 90\u0027s. Finding these original sites was a \u0022scavenger hunt,\u0022 Freeman says. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)","file":{"fid":"262654","name":"placard_leftover_from_early90s_surveys.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/placard_leftover_from_early90s_surveys.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/placard_leftover_from_early90s_surveys.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3900939,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/12\/placard_leftover_from_early90s_surveys.jpeg?itok=qHVcLO0k"}},"678598":{"id":"678598","type":"image","title":"A large downed cedar tree in one of the lowland old-growth forests that Freeman navigated. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA large downed cedar tree in one of the lowland old-growth forests that Freeman navigated. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762959555","gmt_created":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","changed":"1762959555","gmt_changed":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","alt":"A large downed cedar tree in one of the lowland old-growth forests that Freeman navigated. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)","file":{"fid":"262653","name":"lowland_oldgrowth_massive_downed_cedar.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/lowland_oldgrowth_massive_downed_cedar.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/lowland_oldgrowth_massive_downed_cedar.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5162509,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/12\/lowland_oldgrowth_massive_downed_cedar.jpeg?itok=qsBpKQgV"}},"678600":{"id":"678600","type":"image","title":"Townsend\u0027s Warbler, a small songbird that lives in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Melissa Hafting, @bcbirdergirl)","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETownsend\u0027s Warbler, a small songbird that lives in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Melissa Hafting, @bcbirdergirl)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762959555","gmt_created":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","changed":"1762959555","gmt_changed":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","alt":"Townsend\u0027s Warbler, a small songbird that lives in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Melissa Hafting, @bcbirdergirl)","file":{"fid":"262655","name":"Townsend-s_Warbler.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/Townsend-s_Warbler.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/Townsend-s_Warbler.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6682884,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/12\/Townsend-s_Warbler.jpeg?itok=tZA3VVj5"}},"678596":{"id":"678596","type":"image","title":"While locating the field sites, Freeman spotted this bear on an old road. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile locating the field sites, Freeman spotted this bear on an old road. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762959555","gmt_created":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","changed":"1762959555","gmt_changed":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","alt":"While locating the field sites, Freeman spotted this bear on an old road. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)","file":{"fid":"262651","name":"bear_on_road.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/bear_on_road.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/bear_on_road.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4431217,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/12\/bear_on_road.jpeg?itok=9jCCrqlU"}},"678595":{"id":"678595","type":"image","title":"An overgrown and abandoned road that Freeman traversed. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn overgrown and abandoned road that Freeman traversed. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762959555","gmt_created":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","changed":"1762960403","gmt_changed":"2025-11-12 15:13:23","alt":"An overgrown and abandoned road that Freeman traversed. (Credit: Benjamin Freeman)","file":{"fid":"262650","name":"abandoned_road_difficult_to_walk_on.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/abandoned_road_difficult_to_walk_on.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/abandoned_road_difficult_to_walk_on.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5305167,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/12\/abandoned_road_difficult_to_walk_on.jpeg?itok=5imBlQae"}},"678601":{"id":"678601","type":"image","title":"The Varied Thrush is another bird common in the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Melissa Hafting, @bcbirdergirl)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Varied Thrush is another bird common in the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Melissa Hafting, @bcbirdergirl)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762959555","gmt_created":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","changed":"1762959555","gmt_changed":"2025-11-12 14:59:15","alt":"The Varied Thrush is another bird common in the Pacific Northwest. (Credit: Melissa Hafting, @bcbirdergirl)","file":{"fid":"262656","name":"Varied_Thrush.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/Varied_Thrush.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/12\/Varied_Thrush.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6078901,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/12\/Varied_Thrush.jpg?itok=Qz8fEy9T"}}},"media_ids":["678597","678599","678598","678600","678596","678595","678601"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"194631","name":"cos-georgia"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"166890","name":"sustainability"}],"core_research_areas":[{"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 \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686048":{"#nid":"686048","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Community Spotlight - Ali Sarhadi","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/d7.eas.gatech.edu\/people\/sarhadi-dr-ali\u0022\u003EAli Sarhadi\u003C\/a\u003E and his research team at Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sarhadi.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EClimate Risk and Extreme Dynamics Lab\u003C\/a\u003E are focused on a growing threat: hurricanes fueled by a warming climate. These storms are no longer behaving like those of the past \u2014 and his research is helping explain why. \u201cPeople often think hurricanes are about wind, but water is by far the deadliest part,\u201d\u0026nbsp;says\u0026nbsp;Sarhadi, assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u201cWhat\u2019s alarming now is how quickly storms intensify and how much flooding they unleash.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the future frequency of hurricanes remains uncertain, scientists agree on key trends: A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, fueling heavier rainfall. Rising sea levels are amplifying storm surge. Warmer ocean temperatures fuel rapid storm growth. When these factors combine, researchers call this phenomenon hurricane-induced compound flooding.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESarhadi studies\u0026nbsp;this phenomenon. \u201cIn a warming climate, this type of flooding is becoming more frequent and more severe,\u201d he explains. \u201cWith U.S. hurricane damages exceeding $28 billion annually, most loss of life and destruction comes from water, not wind,\u201d says Sarhadi, who joined Georgia Tech in 2024 after postdoctoral work in MIT\u2019s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearning From Hurricane Sandy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding on insights from his postdoctoral work, Sarhadi has developed advanced physics-based and machine learning frameworks to model hurricane hazards such as storm surge and compound flooding and assess their potential economic impacts on coastal infrastructure. His models predict both hazard magnitude and how risk may evolve.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe applied this framework to analyze\u0026nbsp;Hurricane Sandy, which struck New York City in 2012, causing $70 billion in damage. \u201cOur analysis shows that flooding events like Sandy may occur once every 150 years in the current climate,\u201d Sarhadi explains. \u201cBut with warming oceans and shifting storm dynamics, that timeline could shrink to once every 60 years by midcentury and once every 30 years by century\u2019s end.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeveraging Georgia Tech\u2019s Multidisciplinary Strengths\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESarhadi says that joining Georgia Tech has opened the door to new interdisciplinary collaborations aimed at advancing hurricane forecasting and strengthening the resilience of coastal regions. From seawalls to AI-enhanced power grids and smarter warning systems, he sees real potential to reduce the vulnerability of communities facing increasingly severe storm impacts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m excited to be here. It\u2019s a vibrant and supportive community,\u201d Sarhadi says. \u201cThe students are incredibly bright and deeply passionate about science.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis research draws on the intersection of\u0026nbsp;engineering, physics-based modeling, and AI, reflecting Georgia Tech\u2019s broad strengths in climate resilience and computational science.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2024, Sarhadi received a seed grant to advance his research from the Georgia Tech College of Sciences (COS) Climate Frontiers Symposium, co-funded by COS, the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems, and the Strategic Energy Institute. \u201cGeorgia Tech is strong in every direction,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt\u2019s a highly collaborative environment where everyone is committed to advancing meaningful solutions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAn Avid Soccer Player and Foodie\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOutside the lab, Sarhadi enjoys traveling and hiking. A longtime soccer enthusiast who once played semi-professionally, he still joins local pickup games. He also enjoys exploring Atlanta\u2019s diverse food scene. \u201cI really like Persian and Mexican cuisine \u2014 there are so many great restaurants here,\u201d he says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u2014 writen by Anne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researcher uses physics-based computational modeling to understand and mitigate hurricane risk in the age of climate change."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAli Sarhadi\u0027s research draws on the intersection of\u0026nbsp;engineering, physics-based modeling, and AI, reflecting Georgia Tech\u2019s broad strengths in climate resilience and computational science.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Ali Sarhadi and his research team at GT\u0027s Climate Risk and Extreme Dynamics Lab are focused on a phenomenon called hurricane-induced compound flooding \u2014 hurricanes fueled by a warming climate."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2025-10-28 15:30:37","changed_gmt":"2025-10-28 20:17:03","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-28T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-28T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678480":{"id":"678480","type":"image","title":"Ali_Sarhadi_headshot_adjusted.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPortrait of Ali Sarhadi.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1761665449","gmt_created":"2025-10-28 15:30:49","changed":"1761665449","gmt_changed":"2025-10-28 15:30:49","alt":"Portrait of Ali Sarhadi.","file":{"fid":"262518","name":"Ali_Sarhadi_headshot_adjusted.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/28\/Ali_Sarhadi_headshot_adjusted.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/28\/Ali_Sarhadi_headshot_adjusted.png","mime":"image\/png","size":392737,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/28\/Ali_Sarhadi_headshot_adjusted.png?itok=8BDNkR1K"}}},"media_ids":["678480"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"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":""}},"685622":{"#nid":"685622","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Storms Are Changing \u2014 Should the Hurricane Scale Change Too?  ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs climate change continues to reshape the intensity and behavior of hurricanes, meteorologists and researchers are examining whether the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a decades-old classification system, still adequately communicates the full scope of hurricane hazards. While the scale remains a widely recognized tool, experts like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/handlos-zachary\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EZachary Handlos\u003C\/a\u003E, director of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at Georgia Tech, suggest that a complementary system could enhance public understanding of the broader risks hurricanes pose.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/news\/hurricane-season-begins-how-georgia-tech-civil-engineer-created-five-categories-we-use-classify\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDeveloped in 1969\u003C\/a\u003E by civil engineer and Georgia Tech alumnus Herbert Saffir, CE 1940, and meteorologist Robert Simpson, the scale classifies hurricanes solely by sustained wind speed, ranging from Category 1 to Category 5. It has long served as the primary tool for describing hurricane intensity in forecasts and media coverage.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFor anyone that follows hurricane coverage on TV, social media, the internet, or in any other form, the Saffir-Simpson scale is the way that hurricanes are described and classified,\u201d said Handlos.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EToward a More Comprehensive Hazard Framework\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHandlos noted that while the scale is widely recognized, it does not account for other major hazards such as storm surge, inland flooding, tornadoes, and storm size. \u201cMaximum wind speeds are certainly a threat if one is in the path of a hurricane,\u201d he said, \u201cbut several other hazards are also problematic.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new scale to complement the Saffir-Simpson scale could be beneficial. It would need to have accurate messaging about all aspects of a hurricane event while also continuing to record Saffir-Simpson scale data for comparison to past events.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAny effort to revise or supplement the scale would require broad collaboration across sectors. Handlos emphasized that input from government agencies, emergency managers, academic researchers, and private industry would be essential, and that formal adoption of any new system would likely involve coordination with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.noaa.gov\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENational Hurricane Center\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe added, \u201cIf there is a way to update this scale or devise a new scale that both accounts for all types of hurricane hazards and is something that is digestible to the general public, this could be helpful in the future.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EForecasting Advances and Communication Challenges\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClimate change is not currently altering how hurricane strength is measured, but it is changing the conditions in which hurricanes form. Handlos said that with the observed increase in global average temperature over the past several decades, scientists also anticipate sea surface temperature values continuing to rise. This would result in the additional transfer of heat energy from the ocean\u2019s surface to the atmosphere, further fueling hurricanes. It also provides the potential for hurricane development farther poleward in both hemispheres. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe also pointed to changes in atmospheric moisture. As air temperature rises, the atmosphere\u2019s capacity to hold water vapor is expected to increase. One possible consequence of this is that any rainfall associated with hurricanes could be associated with higher rain rates and more total precipitation, which could intensify inland flooding.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdvances in forecasting technology are helping meteorologists improve how hurricane hazards are predicted and communicated. According to Handlos, the integration of traditional numerical weather prediction models with artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, alongside data from radar, satellites, weather balloons, and aircraft, has significantly enhanced the accuracy of hurricane forecasts over the past two decades.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill, Handlos cautioned that effectively reaching the public remains a persistent challenge. \u201cDespite repeated warnings and widespread messaging, we often hear stories of individuals choosing not to evacuate, because they\u2019ve weathered previous storms without issue,\u201d he said. \u201cIn today\u2019s environment of nonstop social media, constant notifications, and information overload, people can struggle to identify which messages are most important and trustworthy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Experts revisit the Saffir-Simpson scale in a changing climate"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs climate change influences hurricane behavior, experts are taking a closer look at how we classify and communicate storm risks, and what that means for forecasting, preparedness, and public understanding.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech expert Zachary Handlos joins a growing conversation about whether the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale adequately reflects the full range of hurricane hazards in a changing climate."}],"uid":"35797","created_gmt":"2025-10-08 19:00:13","changed_gmt":"2025-10-28 18:55:26","author":"Siobhan Rodriguez","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678307":{"id":"678307","type":"image","title":"AdobeStock_478449398.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1759950026","gmt_created":"2025-10-08 19:00:26","changed":"1759950026","gmt_changed":"2025-10-08 19:00:26","alt":"Image of a hurricane ","file":{"fid":"262317","name":"AdobeStock_478449398.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/08\/AdobeStock_478449398.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/08\/AdobeStock_478449398.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":12202303,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/08\/AdobeStock_478449398.jpeg?itok=PoFo4GjN"}},"678308":{"id":"678308","type":"image","title":"AdobeStock_287907491.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Saffir-Simpson scale classifies hurricanes solely by sustained wind speed, ranging from Category 1 to Category 5.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1759950145","gmt_created":"2025-10-08 19:02:25","changed":"1759950145","gmt_changed":"2025-10-08 19:02:25","alt":"Image of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale","file":{"fid":"262318","name":"AdobeStock_287907491.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/08\/AdobeStock_287907491.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/08\/AdobeStock_287907491.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1483004,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/08\/AdobeStock_287907491.jpeg?itok=TVCPO4SV"}}},"media_ids":["678307","678308"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194813","name":"Saffir-Simpson scale"},{"id":"194814","name":"hurricane classification"},{"id":"831","name":"climate change"},{"id":"194815","name":"hurricane risk"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"184642","name":"Zachary Handlos"},{"id":"181659","name":"Storm Surge"},{"id":"194816","name":"inland flooding"},{"id":"194817","name":"hurricane communication"},{"id":"90271","name":"NOAA"},{"id":"194818","name":"National Hurricane Center"},{"id":"194819","name":"hurricane forecasting"},{"id":"185530","name":"emergency management"},{"id":"194820","name":"weather prediction"},{"id":"194821","name":"AI in meteorology"},{"id":"194822","name":"hurricane hazards"},{"id":"3035","name":"public safety"},{"id":"24971","name":"Disaster Preparedness"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"173581","name":"go-COS"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"}],"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":"\u003Cdiv\u003ESiobhan Rodriguez\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":["media@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685973":{"#nid":"685973","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Peatlands\u2019 \u2018Huge Reservoir\u2019 of Carbon at Risk of Release","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis story by Caitlin Hayes is shared jointly with the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.cornell.edu\/stories\/2025\/10\/peatlands-huge-reservoir-carbon-risk-release\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECornell Chronicle newsroom\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EStudy co-author Joel E. Kostka is the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E with a joint appointment in the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E. He also serves as faculty director of\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-center-science-georgias-tomorrow\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Tech for Georgia\u0027s Tomorrow\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/kostkalab\/peatlands-and-climate-change\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Kostka Lab\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;works in peatland ecosystems to quantify changes in microbial communities brought on by climate change drivers. In particular, next generation gene sequencing and omics approaches are employed to investigate the microbial groups that mediate organic matter degradation and the release of greenhouse gases.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeatlands make up just 3% of the earth\u2019s land surface but store more than 30% of the world\u2019s soil carbon, preserving organic matter and sequestering its carbon for tens of thousands of years. A new study sounds the alarm that an extreme drought event could quadruple peatland carbon loss in a warming climate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the study, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.adv7104\u0022\u003Epublished October 23 in \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E,\u003C\/a\u003E researchers find that, under conditions that mimic a future climate (with warmer temperatures and elevated carbon dioxide), extreme drought dramatically increases the release of carbon in peatlands by nearly three times. This means that droughts in future climate conditions could turn a valuable carbon sink into a carbon source, erasing between 90 and 250 years of carbon stores in a matter of months.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs temperatures increase, drought events become more frequent and severe,\u0026nbsp; making peatlands more vulnerable than before,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cals.cornell.edu\/people\/yiqi-luo\u0022\u003EYiqi Luo\u003C\/a\u003E, senior author and the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science\u2019s Soil and Crop Sciences Section, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cornell.edu\/\u0022\u003ECornell University\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe add new evidence to show that with peatlands, the stakes are high. We observed that these extreme drought events can wipe out hundreds of years of accumulated carbon, so this has a huge implication.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTo me, this study is striking in that it shows that around 10 to 100 years of carbon uptake by one of the most important global soil carbon stores can be erased by just two months of extreme drought,\u201d adds \u003Cstrong\u003EJoel Kostka\u003C\/strong\u003E, Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor in Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was already well-established that drought reduces ecosystem productivity and increases carbon release in peatlands, but this study is the first to examine how that carbon loss is exacerbated as the planet warms and more carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates extreme drought will become 1.7 to 7.2 times more likely in the near future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERead the full story in the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.cornell.edu\/stories\/2025\/10\/peatlands-huge-reservoir-carbon-risk-release\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECornell newsroom\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E###\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOther co-authors\u003C\/strong\u003E include Cornell postdoctoral researchers Jian Zhou and Ning Wei; senior research associate Lifen Jiang; and researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology, Florida State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), ETH Zurich, Northern Arizona University, the Australian National University, the University of Western Ontario and Duke University.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding\u003C\/strong\u003E for the study came in part from the National Science Foundation, USDA, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPeatlands make up just 3% of the earth\u2019s land surface but store more than 30% of the world\u2019s soil carbon, preserving organic matter and sequestering its carbon for tens of thousands of years. A new study sounds the alarm that an extreme drought event could quadruple peatland carbon loss in a warming climate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers analyzed data from 10, yurt-like test chambers in a natural boreal spruce bog in northern Minnesota."}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2025-10-24 14:03:13","changed_gmt":"2025-10-24 14:05:18","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678444":{"id":"678444","type":"image","title":"Yurt-like test chambers in a natural boreal spruce bog in northern Minnesota (provided).","body":null,"created":"1761314632","gmt_created":"2025-10-24 14:03:52","changed":"1761314632","gmt_changed":"2025-10-24 14:03:52","alt":"Yurt-like test chambers in a natural boreal spruce bog in northern Minnesota (provided).","file":{"fid":"262467","name":"1023_peatlands1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/24\/1023_peatlands1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/24\/1023_peatlands1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":374455,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/24\/1023_peatlands1.jpg?itok=9kQxCKho"}}},"media_ids":["678444"],"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"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"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":[{"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 contacts:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kms465@cornell.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKaitlyn Serrao\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMedia Relations\u003Cbr\u003ECornell University\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:natalia.burgess@anu.edu.au\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENatalia Burgess\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMedia Assistant\u003Cbr\u003EANU Communications and Engagement\u003Cbr\u003EThe Australian National University\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685709":{"#nid":"685709","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Mapping Evolution: James Stroud Named 2025 Packard Fellow","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/stroudlab\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames Stroud\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has been named a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.packard.org\/approach\/fellowships-for-science-engineering\/\u0022\u003E2025 Packard Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E for his pioneering research in evolutionary biology. Stroud, Elizabeth Smithgall-Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, will receive $875,000 over five years to fund his work on \u201cLizard Island\u201d in South Florida. His goal? To create evolution\u2019s first high-definition map \u2014 with the help of 1,000 backpack-wearing lizards.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAwarded annually to just 20 individuals by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.packard.org\/\u0022\u003EDavid and Lucile Packard Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E, Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering support researchers pursuing cutting-edge research and ambitious goals. \u201cThese visionary Packard Fellows are pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and their bold ideas will become tomorrow\u2019s real-world solutions,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ENancy Lindborg\u003C\/strong\u003E, president and CEO of the Packard Foundation \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.packard.org\/2025fellows\u0022\u003Ein a recent press release\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe flexible funding allows researchers to maximize their creativity and ingenuity. Stroud will spend the next five years transforming Lizard Island into the world\u2019s premier evolutionary observatory, merging groundbreaking technology with long-term field research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOn Lizard Island, that means equipping every lizard with an ultra-lightweight sensor \u201cbackpack.\u201d Although the sensors weigh just six-hundredths of a gram each \u2014 the same as two grains of rice \u2014 when combined with innovations in mapping technology, they will help Stroud investigate the role that behavior plays in driving evolution in the wild.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI\u2019m incredibly honored to be named a 2025 Packard Fellow,\u201d says Stroud. \u201cThis support allows me to pursue a question that has fascinated evolutionary biologists for centuries: how does behavior shape evolution? It\u2019s a transformative opportunity, and I\u2019m deeply grateful to the Packard Foundation for believing in the potential of this work.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETiny sensors, big questions\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBegun in 2015, Stroud\u2019s work on Lizard Island is one of the longest-running evolutionary studies of its kind: for the last 10 years, he has carefully caught and released every lizard on the island, measuring evolution through documenting their body characteristics, habitat use, and survival.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThrough his studies, he has captured\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/when-two-lizards-meet-first-time-scientists-witness-evolution-action\u0022\u003Eevolution in action\u003C\/a\u003E, but monitoring and measuring behavior in evolutionary studies has historically been an extremely difficult and elusive task. The problem? While smaller animals tend to have higher population densities and reproduce more quickly (making them ideal candidates for evolutionary field studies), it has been difficult to find durable and long-lasting sensors small enough for these animals to carry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis has been a missing link because behavior is a critical component of evolution,\u201d Stroud says. \u201cBehavior can both expose individuals to \u2014 or shield them from \u2014 natural selection. For example, an animal with a less favorable trait, like bad eyesight, could change its behavior to avoid situations where it is disadvantaged.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThese decisions can ultimately determine whether they survive and reproduce in the wild, directly influencing the outcome of natural selection. However, until now, we just haven\u2019t had the technology to measure these types of extremely intricate behaviors across many individuals before.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMapping the future\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud won\u2019t just know exactly where each lizard is \u2014 he\u2019ll also create a detailed three-dimensional map of the entire island using remote sensing technology called LiDAR, updating it each year. \u201cBy shooting millions of laser beams, we can create a highly detailed three-dimensional map of Lizard Island, capturing the shape of every branch, rock, and blade of grass on the island,\u201d he explains. \u201cWhen connected to our lizard backpacks, we\u2019ll know the exact microhabitats and resources available to each lizard as they move through this environment.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud will also deploy hundreds of microclimate sensors to understand how species are reacting to changes in temperature and climate. The result will be the world\u2019s first comprehensive database: a record of minute lizard movements, the resources each individual uses, daily interactions, and changes in the environment spanning seasons and years.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cFor evolutionary scientists, it has been seemingly impossible to track the moment-by-moment decisions of individual organisms\u2026 until now,\u201d he says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cToday, it\u2019s possible to study what Darwin could only dream of \u2014 evolution occurring in real time,\u201d Stroud adds. \u201cBehavior is a critical component of evolution, understanding evolution is critical to understanding life on Earth, and understanding life on Earth is more important than ever.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe award will support Stroud as he creates evolution\u2019s first high-definition map \u2014 with the help of 1,000 backpack-wearing lizards.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The award will support Stroud as he creates evolution\u2019s first high-definition map \u2014 with the help of 1,000 backpack-wearing lizards."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-10-14 15:33:34","changed_gmt":"2025-10-22 00:44:10","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678350":{"id":"678350","type":"image","title":"A lizard wearing one of the sensors, which weigh just three-hundredths of a gram each \u2014 the same as a two grains of rice. (Credit: Jon Suh)","body":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA lizard wearing one of the sensors, which weigh just three-hundredths of a gram each \u2014 the same as a two grains of rice. (Credit: Jon Suh)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760456026","gmt_created":"2025-10-14 15:33:46","changed":"1760546990","gmt_changed":"2025-10-15 16:49:50","alt":"A lizard wearing one of the sensors, which weigh just three-hundredths of a gram each \u2014 the same as a two grains of rice. (Credit: Jon Suh)","file":{"fid":"262368","name":"AB4A1966.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/14\/AB4A1966.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/14\/AB4A1966.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2677038,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/14\/AB4A1966.jpg?itok=AFpraiZV"}},"678351":{"id":"678351","type":"image","title":"Stroud will spend the next five years transforming Lizard Island into the world\u2019s premier evolutionary observatory (Credit: Jon Suh)","body":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud will spend the next five years transforming Lizard Island into the world\u2019s premier evolutionary observatory (Credit: Jon Suh)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760456026","gmt_created":"2025-10-14 15:33:46","changed":"1760547098","gmt_changed":"2025-10-15 16:51:38","alt":"Stroud will spend the next five years transforming Lizard Island into the world\u2019s premier evolutionary observatory (Credit: Jon Suh)","file":{"fid":"262369","name":"AB4A2042.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/14\/AB4A2042.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/14\/AB4A2042.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":9084848,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/14\/AB4A2042.jpg?itok=xnivhidD"}},"678098":{"id":"678098","type":"image","title":"James Stroud examines a lizard in the field. (Credit: Day\u2019s Edge Productions)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJames Stroud examines a lizard in the field. (Credit: Day\u2019s Edge Productions)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758636184","gmt_created":"2025-09-23 14:03:04","changed":"1760547417","gmt_changed":"2025-10-15 16:56:57","alt":"James Stroud examines a lizard in the field. (Credit: Day\u2019s Edge Productions)","file":{"fid":"262081","name":"brighter_StroudResearchMiami_003_DaysEdgeProds.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/23\/brighter_StroudResearchMiami_003_DaysEdgeProds.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/23\/brighter_StroudResearchMiami_003_DaysEdgeProds.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2817190,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/23\/brighter_StroudResearchMiami_003_DaysEdgeProds.png?itok=8uLh4VRQ"}}},"media_ids":["678350","678351","678098"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.packard.org\/2025fellows","title":"The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Announces the 2025 Class of Packard Fellows for Science and Engineering"},{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/3-legged-lizards-can-thrive-against-all-odds-challenging-assumptions-about-how-evolution-works-in-the-wild-262467","title":"3-legged lizards can thrive against all odds, challenging assumptions about how evolution works in the wild"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/when-two-lizards-meet-first-time-scientists-witness-evolution-action","title":"When Two Lizards Meet for the First Time, Scientists Witness Evolution in Action"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/natures-time-machine-how-long-term-studies-unlock-evolutions-secrets","title":"Nature\u0027s Time Machine: How Long-Term Studies Unlock Evolution\u0027s Secrets"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/james-stroud-receives-maxwellhanrahan-award-field-biology","title":"James Stroud Receives Maxwell\/Hanrahan Award in Field Biology"}],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"194631","name":"cos-georgia"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"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\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685781":{"#nid":"685781","#data":{"type":"news","title":"EAS Faculty Named to Endowed Positions","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe College of Sciences has named four faculty members \u2014 Isaiah Bolden, Jennifer Glass, Alex Robel, and Yuanzhi Tang \u2014 from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E (EAS) to newly endowed positions. The awards recognize their leadership in climate, sustainability, and environmental sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThese endowments are allowing stellar early and mid-career faculty to amplify their educational and research activities,\u201d says EAS Chair\u003Cstrong\u003E Jean Lynch-Stieglitz.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u201cWe are grateful to reward their achievements and ensure they can continue to contribute at a high level to the ongoing growth of Georgia Tech\u2019s new Environmental Science B.S. program and the School\u2019s research profile in climate and sustainability.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJean \u201cChris\u201d Purvis Early Career Award: Isaiah Bolden\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EEAS Assistant Professor\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/bolden-isaiah\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EIsaiah Bolden\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s research focuses on\u0026nbsp;providing foundational data needed for climate and sustainability science in vulnerable coastal environments.\u0026nbsp;He and his team in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/co3gt\/\u0022\u003EChemical Oceanography \u2013 Observations and Outreach Lab\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;study chemical fingerprints preserved in coastal waters, corals, and shells to provide early warning indicators and mitigation strategies to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI am most excited by the award\u2019s ability to provide the flexible, sustained support necessary to bridge the gap between academic discovery and community impact,\u201d he says. \u201cWith this endowment, I can pursue high-risk, high-reward research questions and\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ededicate resources to long-term, community-based projects. It directly empowers my drive to put science to work as a tool for environmental policymaking and cultural preservation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBolden plans to direct the funds to support marine science curricula for coastal Georgia middle and high school students, paid undergraduate internships, specialized sample analyses, and travel logistics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew research:\u003C\/strong\u003E Bolden\u2019s\u0026nbsp;group is actively\u0026nbsp;pioneering the use of coastal Georgia oyster shells as\u0026nbsp;novel natural archives of environmental change.\u0026nbsp;Similar to tropical corals, the oyster shells provide high-resolution data on local water quality, pollution, and climate shifts. This work is intended to dovetail with Bolden\u2019s coastal community-based partnerships, including the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ELadies and Lads in Lab Coats\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;program, which provides students with STEM exposure and enables them to collect and analyze data that documents their region\u2019s environmental history.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJean \u201cChris\u201d Purvis Professorship: Jennifer Glass\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEAS \u003C\/strong\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/glass-jennifer\u0022\u003EJennifer Glass\u003C\/a\u003E drives new research at the intersection of environmental microbiology and climate science.\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.jenniferglass.com\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;The Glass Lab\u003C\/a\u003E investigates microorganisms that produce and consume greenhouse gases \u2014 focusing on the chemical-level mechanisms behind how these gases are created and destroyed \u2014 with the ultimate aim of harnessing biological processes to address some of the urgent environmental challenges facing humanity. One major focus of her research is the vast reserves of methane hydrate found beneath the continental margin seafloor, representing the largest natural gas resource on Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI\u2019m incredibly thankful to the donor and the Institute,\u201d says Glass, who is also the\u0026nbsp;EAS associate chair for Undergraduate Affairs.\u0026nbsp;\u201cThis support arrives at a critical time for environmental science and allows me to pursue new opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe\u0026nbsp;plans to use the funds to attend key conferences, build new collaborations, and support student engagement in upcoming initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew research\u003C\/strong\u003E: The Glass Lab is exploring environmentally friendly ways to extract and recycle rare earth elements \u2014 critical minerals used in batteries and electric vehicles. By studying marine microbes, which are less understood than their soil counterparts, the team aims to develop green biotechnology alternatives to current mining practices.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJean \u201cChris\u201d Purvis Early Career Award: Alex Robel\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EEAS Associate Professor and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/rising-tide\u0022\u003ERising Tide\u003C\/a\u003E Director\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/robel-alexander\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlex Robel\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;combines physics, applied mathematics, and ocean sciences to understand how climate changes are impacting Earth\u2019s largest ice sheets and glaciers. His research lab, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iceclimate.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGT Ice and Climate Group\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;focuses on developing computational models of ice sheet melt to\u0026nbsp;predict future sea level rise. In partnership with coastal communities, they leverage those predictions to help make city streets more resilient to flooding.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis award helps me pursue more opportunities to engage closely with community partners, using climate information to make concrete improvements in their infrastructure,\u201d explains Robel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESpecific plans for the funds include\u0026nbsp;enhancing pilot projects in coastal resilience, including the Community Hubs for Optimizing Resilience (CHORUS) initiative. Using building-scale flood models, CHORUS will help communities select potential infrastructure interventions to mitigate future flooding that threatens valued community assets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew research\u003C\/strong\u003E:\u0026nbsp;Robel is launching a project to use machine learning methods to improve the representation of small-scale processes in ice sheet computational models. These methods will help his group blend an understanding of how ice flows and fractures, based on basic physical principles, with real-world measurements of crevasse formation on ice sheets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Power Professorship: Yuanzhi Tang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EEAS Professor\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/tang-yuanzhi\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is the founding director of the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/cems\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Center for Critical Mineral Solutions\u003C\/a\u003E and associate director, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement for the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/sustainability\u0022\u003EBrook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/a\u003E. Her research integrates geochemistry, environmental engineering, and sustainability science to advance a circular economy for critical minerals, from resource discovery and recovery to recycling and reuse.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tang.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EThe Tang Research Group\u003C\/a\u003E investigates the fundamental chemical, geological, and biological processes that control the transformation and mobility of critical elements across natural and engineered environments. Her work directly informs the development of low-impact extraction technologies and sustainable supply chains essential for clean energy transition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe Georgia Power Professorship provides support for building partnerships across academia and industry partners to accelerate innovation in critical minerals,\u201d says Tang. \u201cIt enables us to link fundamental geochemical and geological science with real-world applications that strengthen both energy security and environmental stewardship.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETang plans to use the funds to expand student participation and interdisciplinary collaborations with academic and industry partners \u2014 positioning Georgia and the broader Southeast as a leader in sustainable mineral innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew research:\u003C\/strong\u003E Tang\u2019s research team is developing sustainable methods for the extraction and separation of critical minerals from alternative and waste resources. By coupling molecular-scale characterization with rational engineering design, her team aims to transform waste byproducts into valuable sources of critical elements while minimizing environmental impacts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Purvis Endowment\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Jean \u201cChris\u201d Purvis Endowed Awards are supported by the generosity of the late J. Chris Purvis, M.D. (Applied Biology 1969), a psychiatrist and neurologist who specialized in juvenile and adolescent behavioral psychiatry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Georgia Power Professorship\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Georgia Power Professorship was established through the generosity of Georgia Power, which funds several endowed professorships at Georgia Tech to support faculty in fields like energy, science, sustainability, and engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECongratulations to Isaiah Bolden, Jennifer Glass, Alex Robel, and Yuanzhi Tang on their new endowed faculty professorships.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Congratulations to Isaiah Bolden, Jennifer Glass, Alex Robel, and Yuanzhi Tang on their new endowed faculty professorships."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2025-10-17 15:07:37","changed_gmt":"2025-10-20 14:49:37","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678380":{"id":"678380","type":"image","title":"Isaiah Bolden","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIsaiah Bolden\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760713677","gmt_created":"2025-10-17 15:07:57","changed":"1760713677","gmt_changed":"2025-10-17 15:07:57","alt":"Smiling man sitting outside","file":{"fid":"262400","name":"BoldenDSC_4281.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/17\/BoldenDSC_4281.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/17\/BoldenDSC_4281.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3529425,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/17\/BoldenDSC_4281.jpeg?itok=VPu18m4a"}},"678381":{"id":"678381","type":"image","title":"Jennifer Glass","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJennifer Glass\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760713760","gmt_created":"2025-10-17 15:09:20","changed":"1760713760","gmt_changed":"2025-10-17 15:09:20","alt":"Smiling woman","file":{"fid":"262401","name":"Glass_headshot.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/17\/Glass_headshot.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/17\/Glass_headshot.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2379440,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/17\/Glass_headshot.png?itok=Ic6b4vnF"}},"678382":{"id":"678382","type":"image","title":"Alex Robel","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAlex Robel\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760714254","gmt_created":"2025-10-17 15:17:34","changed":"1760714254","gmt_changed":"2025-10-17 15:17:34","alt":"Smiling man","file":{"fid":"262402","name":"Robel_Headshot2024.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/17\/Robel_Headshot2024.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/17\/Robel_Headshot2024.png","mime":"image\/png","size":8019146,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/17\/Robel_Headshot2024.png?itok=N9P6s20N"}},"678383":{"id":"678383","type":"image","title":"Yuanzhi Tang","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760715340","gmt_created":"2025-10-17 15:35:40","changed":"1760715340","gmt_changed":"2025-10-17 15:35:40","alt":"Smiling woman","file":{"fid":"262403","name":"Tang.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/17\/Tang.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/17\/Tang.png","mime":"image\/png","size":895476,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/17\/Tang.png?itok=q2FLoLcO"}}},"media_ids":["678380","678381","678382","678383"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/fixing-flooding","title":"Fixing Flooding for the Southeast\u2019s Future"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-offers-new-astrobiology-minor","title":"Georgia Tech Offers New Astrobiology Minor"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/how-us-can-mine-its-own-critical-minerals-without-digging-new-holes","title":"How the US Can Mine Its Own Critical Minerals \u2014 Without Digging New Holes"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_KFaEis5WqQ","title":"A Day in the Life: Isaiah Bolden, Georgia Tech Oceanographer"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194607","name":"Batteries"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"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\u003ELaura S. Smith, writer\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685736":{"#nid":"685736","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers More Accurately Estimate Economic Impacts of Climate Change","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPoorer countries tend to grow faster than richer ones. But this tendency, called convergence, is often overlooked when forecasting the economic impacts of climate change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.eneco.2025.108705\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EA new study\u003C\/a\u003E from Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E finds that incorporating convergence into empirical (data and observation-based) climate models drastically reduces estimated global income loss and inequality from climate change by 2100.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cVery few, if any, explicitly include this convergence effect,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/tony-harding\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EAnthony Harding,\u003C\/a\u003E an assistant professor in the Carter School and author on the paper. \u201cBut it makes a huge difference.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMain Findings\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe study was published in \u003Cem\u003EEnergy Economics\u003C\/em\u003E by Harding and co-authors Juan Moreno-Cruz, Martin Quaas, Wilfried Rickels, and Sjak Smulders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers find that empirical models ignoring convergence can calculate average global income losses of up to 19% by the end of the century in one study, while allowing for convergence reduces these losses to around 8.5%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, including convergence spreads the damage more evenly across all countries, resulting in more moderate estimated increases in global income inequality \u2014 around 8% by 2100 rather than the up to 118% increase that another empirical model suggested. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, accounting for convergence also predicts economic impacts from climate change that are more in line with what we expect: the more temperatures increase, the more economic damage is done. Without convergence, empirical models can predict exponential benefits for \u201cwinning\u201d countries (such as large northern nations like Canada and Russia) that eventually outpace the losses to losing countries (which can only go to zero), causing it to look like climate change has a net economic benefit in the long run (it doesn\u2019t). \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis model consistently pushes countries back together in a way, so you don\u2019t get that counterintuitive result,\u201d Harding said. \u201cIncluding convergence moderates the effects of climate change relative to models without convergence, but they are still large and require immediate action to address.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Isn\u2019t Convergence Always Accounted For?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConvergence is an economic theory, while empirical models are based on observable past data.\u202fThis data is the only way we can forecast future trends, such as the economic impacts of climate change, but using the data alone is not enough. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen we use data to estimate a historical relationship between temperature and economic growth, we find evidence of convergence, but it doesn\u2019t directly affect that estimated climate-economy relationship\u201d Harding explained. \u201cSo, if you\u2019re building a model about what predicts the relationship between temperature and economic growth, you wouldn\u2019t think to include convergence because it doesn\u2019t show up as meaningful in that backward-looking model.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, it matters when projecting the effects of climate change in the future because convergence changes the persistence of climate change impacts. When temperatures increase, economic growth slows. But when growth slows, convergence offsets that, increasing growth and recovering some of those economic losses. Without convergence, those economic losses are never recovered.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen Harding and his colleagues incorporate convergence into the empirical model, they obtain results that are much closer to those from the more widely used theory-based integrated assessment models, thus calibrating the empirical model and pinpointing the discrepancy between the two.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPolicy Impacts\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHarding and his team are working on a second paper using this model to calculate the value of carbon sequestration. Right now, there are many different ways to predict the economic costs and benefits of capturing and storing carbon out of the air. The results range from a negative economic benefit up to a thousand dollars per ton of carbon, Harding said, which is a \u201cmassive, massive spread.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut having an accurate number is critical for policymakers determining the economic value of conservation efforts like forest protection and reforestation efforts, which naturally sequester carbon. As organizations and governments choose and build these models, Harding\u2019s work shows how important considering convergence is.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u201cDistribution of climate damages in convergence-consistent growth projections\u201d was published in \u003C\/em\u003EEnergy Economics.\u003Cem\u003E It is available at \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.eneco.2025.108705\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.eneco.2025.108705\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new study from Georgia Tech\u2019s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy finds that incorporating convergence into empirical (data and observation-based) climate models drastically reduces estimated global income loss and inequality from climate change by 2100.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new study from Georgia Tech\u2019s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy finds that incorporating convergence into empirical climate models drastically reduces estimated global income loss and inequality from climate change by 2100. "}],"uid":"35766","created_gmt":"2025-10-16 14:20:01","changed_gmt":"2025-10-16 14:22:10","author":"dminardi3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678363":{"id":"678363","type":"image","title":"MERCURY.jpg","body":null,"created":"1760624455","gmt_created":"2025-10-16 14:20:55","changed":"1760624455","gmt_changed":"2025-10-16 14:20:55","alt":"Aerial view of flooding in neighborhood","file":{"fid":"262381","name":"MERCURY.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/16\/MERCURY.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/16\/MERCURY.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2077730,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/16\/MERCURY.jpg?itok=pJfEljcc"}}},"media_ids":["678363"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[{"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\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dminardi3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685648":{"#nid":"685648","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Fixing Flooding for the Southeast\u2019s Future","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFlooding dominated the headlines of summer 2025. Atypical storms and rising rivers in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/08\/us\/texas-flood-factors\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETexas Hill Country\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E washed away an entire summer camp. Glacial snow melt, combined with flash river floods, caused hundreds of deaths in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2025\/08\/1165730\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPakistan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. As the Atlantic hurricane season hits its peak, Americans wait to see if another storm may be as unexpectedly devastating as 2024\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nhc.noaa.gov\/data\/tcr\/AL092024_Helene.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHurricane Helene\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFlooding can be an existential threat, affecting everything from infrastructure to health. Georgia Tech researchers are developing solutions to monitor and forecast flooding, as well as restore ecosystems to prevent future flooding. These efforts support communities\u2019 resilience in the face of climate change and keep the U.S. secure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/fixing-flooding\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers use models to monitor flooding and improve the resilience of coastal cities."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers are developing solutions to monitor and forecast flooding, as well as restore ecosystems to prevent future flooding. These efforts support communities\u2019 resilience in the face of climate change and keep the U.S. secure.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers are developing solutions to monitor and forecast flooding, as well as restore ecosystems to prevent future flooding. These efforts support communities\u2019 resilience in the face of climate change and keep the U.S. secure."}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2025-10-10 13:42:15","changed_gmt":"2025-10-10 13:46:12","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678325":{"id":"678325","type":"image","title":"Post-hurricane flooding inundates residential areas and transportation infrastructure, with low-lying terrain overwhelmed by storm surge and excessive rainfall.","body":null,"created":"1760103827","gmt_created":"2025-10-10 13:43:47","changed":"1760103827","gmt_changed":"2025-10-10 13:43:47","alt":"Post-hurricane flooding inundates residential areas and transportation infrastructure, with low-lying terrain overwhelmed by storm surge and excessive rainfall.","file":{"fid":"262338","name":"flooding-feature-6.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/flooding-feature-6.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/10\/flooding-feature-6.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":168546,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/10\/flooding-feature-6.jpg?itok=7tOOgjB-"}}},"media_ids":["678325"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"51591","name":"flooding"}],"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":""}},"685484":{"#nid":"685484","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Winnie Chu Awarded NSF CAREER Grant to Create First-Ever Map of Antarctic Ice Sheet Base Temperatures","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECovering 98% of the continent and spanning more than 5.4 million square miles, the Antarctic ice sheet is the largest single mass on Earth. Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EWinnie Chu\u003C\/strong\u003E is going to map it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EChu\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ean assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E has been awarded a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2442200\u0022\u003E$770,000 CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF)\u003C\/a\u003E to\u0026nbsp;create the first-ever comprehensive map of temperatures at the bottom of the ice sheet\u0026nbsp;\u2014 a map that will span the entire Antarctic continent.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program is a five-year grant designed to help promising researchers establish a foundation for a lifetime of leadership in their field. Known as CAREER awards, the grants are NSF\u2019s most prestigious funding for early-career faculty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn total, the Antarctic ice sheet holds enough water to raise global sea levels by over 200 feet \u2014 more than 50 feet higher than the top of Tech Tower. Climate models help predict how much of this ice may melt in the coming years, providing critical safety and planning information for coastal communities.\u0026nbsp;However, researchers have limited knowledge of temperatures at the base of the ice sheet \u2014 miles beneath the surface\u0026nbsp;\u2014 and these temperatures play a critical role in melting.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOur research addresses this critical gap in Antarctic ice sheet modeling,\u201d Chu explains. \u201cIf\u0026nbsp;temperatures at the base are warm enough, the ice can melt and lubricate the interface.\u201d The result? The surface acts like a slip-and-slide, carrying ice toward the ocean and accelerating melt.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt is crucial that we can accurately predict this behavior,\u201d Chu says. \u201cThis map will be an essential step forward in refining our climate models for the safety of coastal communities, for infrastructure planning, and for climate adaptation worldwide.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMapping miles-thick ice\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe process isn\u2019t as simple as measuring the temperature with a thermometer though. The Antarctic ice sheet is, on average, over a mile thick and can range up to three miles thick.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EChu, who leads the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/glacier-geophys.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPolar Geophysical Simulation Lab\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech, will combine 20 years of radar data\u0026nbsp;\u2014 the result of multiple international polar programs\u0026nbsp;\u2014 and leverage a technique called \u201cradar sounding,\u201d which analyzes the echoes of airborne radar measurements. The brightness and shape of the echoes can reveal clues about subglacial meltwater and\u0026nbsp;temperatures. To complete the picture, Chu will use cutting-edge generative\u0026nbsp;artificial intelligence (AI) models.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cInnovations in generative AI are part of what makes this research possible,\u201d says Chu, \u201cbut the driving force is the data collected by these long-term research studies. AI can help complete the picture\u0026nbsp;\u2014 but only because that data exists.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPreparing for the future\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EChu aims for the temperature map to improve the parameterization of climate models and ice sheet projections. This will enable better predictions of future melt and help scientists assess areas that may be particularly vulnerable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe hopes that the map will drive further advances in polar science. \u201cOur datasets and radar observations will be open access, meaning they\u2019ll be available for all researchers to use,\u201d Chu shares. \u201cWe\u2019ll also be sharing the AI processing codes that we develop and the enhanced ice sheet model outputs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAdditionally, the research will train the next generation of climate scientists through developing educational programs for high schoolers, empowering and engaging students nationwide with hands-on polar science and AI applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis research is about more than just mapping Antarctica \u2014 it\u2019s about building tools that help us prepare for the future,\u201d Chu says. \u201cBy making our data and models openly available, and by engaging students in the science behind climate change, we\u2019re not only advancing polar research \u2014 we\u2019re empowering the next generation to carry it forward.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe grant will support Chu as she uses radar data and generative AI to map temperatures beneath the Antarctica ice sheet, aiming to improve climate predictions, support coastal planning, and train future scientists through open-access tools and education.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The grant will support Chu as she uses radar data and generative AI to map temperatures beneath the Antarctica ice sheet, aiming to improve climate predictions, support coastal planning, and train future scientists through open-access tools and education."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-10-03 15:31:46","changed_gmt":"2025-10-08 15:03:02","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678302":{"id":"678302","type":"image","title":"Winnie Chu","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWinnie Chu\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1759935741","gmt_created":"2025-10-08 15:02:21","changed":"1759935741","gmt_changed":"2025-10-08 15:02:21","alt":"Winnie Chu","file":{"fid":"262312","name":"WinnieChu.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/08\/WinnieChu.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/08\/WinnieChu.png","mime":"image\/png","size":934158,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/08\/WinnieChu.png?itok=Dffly_oC"}},"678254":{"id":"678254","type":"image","title":"The Ross Archipelago near the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. (Credit: USGS)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Ross Archipelago near the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. (Credit: USGS)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1759505805","gmt_created":"2025-10-03 15:36:45","changed":"1759505805","gmt_changed":"2025-10-03 15:36:45","alt":"The Ross Archipelago near the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. (Credit: USGS)","file":{"fid":"262254","name":"Ross-Archipelago.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/03\/Ross-Archipelago.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/03\/Ross-Archipelago.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":385248,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/03\/Ross-Archipelago.jpg?itok=XPFe_yWv"}}},"media_ids":["678302","678254"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192258","name":"cos-data"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"}],"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":[{"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":""}},"677096":{"#nid":"677096","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Scheller Business Insights: Achieving Net Zero Featuring Beril Toktay","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EScheller Business Insights is a dynamic video series that highlights the innovative thought leadership of the esteemed faculty at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business. At Scheller, we are committed to exploring ideas that educate and inform others about the profound impact of business on our lives and the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this episode, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/toktay\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBeril Toktay\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Regents\u0027 Professor and faculty director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/centers-and-initiatives\/ray-c-anderson-center-for-sustainable-business\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERay C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, defines net zero and discusses some ways to alleviate climate change by reducing carbon emissions to the point of net zero emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGlobally, most major polluters, such as China, the U.S., India, and the EU, are among over 140 nations with net-zero goals, which encompasses roughly 88 percent of global emissions. Meeting the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/unfccc.int\/process-and-meetings\/the-paris-agreement\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EParis Agreement\u0027s\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E 1.5\u00b0C climate threshold requires 45 percent emissions cut by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050 (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/net-zero-coalition\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnited Nations Climate Action\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToktay describes ways this can be accomplished in different business sectors. For example, in the energy sectors, this means moving from fossil fuels to renewable technologies, and in the transportation sector, moving to electrification and innovative battery technologies as well as developing the infrastructure to support these initiatives. These efforts help move businesses towards achieving net zero as well as providing cleaner air and water, and better health outcomes to the global population.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EListen as Toktay discusses what net zero means, the importance of getting to net zero, and how businesses can help reduce carbon emissions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn this episode of Scheller Business Insights, Beril Toktay, director of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and Regents\u0027 Professor in Operations Management, discusses achieving net zero and provides examples of how some industries can reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Beril Toktay, director of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and Regents\u0027 Professor in Operations Management, discusses achieving net zero and provides examples of how some industries can reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change."}],"uid":"28082","created_gmt":"2024-09-25 15:50:30","changed_gmt":"2025-10-03 19:12:55","author":"Lorrie Burroughs","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678262":{"id":"678262","type":"image","title":"Beril Toktay, Brady Family Chair in Management and regents professor","body":null,"created":"1759518194","gmt_created":"2025-10-03 19:03:14","changed":"1759518687","gmt_changed":"2025-10-03 19:11:27","alt":"Beril Toktay, Brady Family Chair in Management and regents professor","file":{"fid":"262263","name":"beril-toktay.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/03\/beril-toktay.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/03\/beril-toktay.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":121084,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/03\/beril-toktay.jpg?itok=Eib20_cn"}}},"media_ids":["678262"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"179355","name":"Building Construction"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"166920","name":"Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business"},{"id":"87921","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188512","name":"bio-renewable energy"}],"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\u003ELorrie Burroughs\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683952":{"#nid":"683952","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Forest Expansion Increases Agricultural Output, New Study Shows","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAgriculture is the largest cause of deforestation. So, it follows that forest expansion efforts would displace agriculture \u2014 but \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/le.uwpress.org\/content\/101\/3\/304\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Enew research\u003C\/a\u003E from Georgia Tech\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003ESchool of Economics\u003C\/a\u003E reports that that\u2019s not necessarily the case. And not only that, forest expansion actually increased agricultural output in the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese findings can help governments, policymakers, and conservation organizations more accurately assess the costs and benefits of forest expansion projects in the fight against climate change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe key policy implication is that there may be co-benefits to using forest expansion as a tool to sequester carbon,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/matthew-oliver\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EMatthew E. Oliver,\u003C\/a\u003E associate professor at the School of Economics and co-author on the paper. Without accounting for them, the net social benefits may be significantly underestimated, the researchers write.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe findings could also suggest alternative paths for aid organizations, Oliver said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDevelopment programs don\u2019t have to be in the form of direct aid. This project was about increasing forest areas, but it also supported the local economy in another indirect way.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMain Findings\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe paper, written by Oliver and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/dylan-brewer\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EDylan Brewer\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.vikrantkkamble.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EVikrant K. Kamble\u003C\/a\u003E at Muskingum University, was published in \u003Cem\u003ELand Economics.\u003C\/em\u003E The project began as Kamble\u2019s Ph.D. dissertation, on which Oliver and Brewer co-advised. They find:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFollowing one of the largest forest expansion programs in Rajasthan, India, agricultural production in the area increased by 24% in the seven to 14 years after planting.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe researchers hypothesize this could be due to increased pollinator activity in the newly forested areas and the 2% increase in rainfall they measured.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhile the 2% increase is statistically insignificant, yields for crops relying on rainfall grew considerably while yields for crops relying on irrigation did not, suggesting a connection between forest expansion, rainfall, and improved agricultural outputs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is some of the first evidence of its kind, and the researchers caution that the results may not hold true everywhere.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, \u201cour task was to rule out a negative impact on agriculture, and the fact that we\u0027re not seeing that and that there could be a positive impact is really strong evidence that we don\u0027t see a reverse trade-off,\u201d Brewer said. \u201cWhen you go back and reforest, it\u0027s not going to eat into agricultural resources.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u201cIs There a Tradeoff between Forest Expansion and Agriculture?\u201d was published in \u003C\/em\u003ELand Economics\u003Cem\u003E in August 2025. Read more at \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3368\/le.101.3.022924-0020R\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.3368\/le.101.3.022924-0020R\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\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\u003EAgriculture is the largest cause of deforestation. So, it follows that forest expansion efforts would displace agriculture \u2014 but new research from Georgia Tech\u0027s School of Economics reports that that\u2019s not necessarily the case. And not only that, forest expansion actually increased agricultural output in the study.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Agriculture is the largest cause of deforestation. So, it follows that forest expansion efforts would displace agriculture \u2014 but new research from Georgia Tech\u0027s School of Economics reports that that\u2019s not necessarily the case."}],"uid":"35766","created_gmt":"2025-08-19 17:37:27","changed_gmt":"2025-08-22 14:09:22","author":"dminardi3","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":{"677738":{"id":"677738","type":"image","title":"Untitled-design--71-.jpg","body":null,"created":"1755625773","gmt_created":"2025-08-19 17:49:33","changed":"1755625773","gmt_changed":"2025-08-19 17:49:33","alt":"stock image of people planting trees in a forest ","file":{"fid":"261672","name":"Untitled-design--71-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/19\/Untitled-design--71-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/19\/Untitled-design--71-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1189146,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/19\/Untitled-design--71-.jpg?itok=DdhGqLGP"}}},"media_ids":["677738"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1282","name":"School of Economics"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"140711","name":"environmental economics"},{"id":"602","name":"economics"},{"id":"7546","name":"forest"},{"id":"669","name":"agriculture"},{"id":"2998","name":"India"}],"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:dminardi3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EDi Minardi\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dminardi3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683712":{"#nid":"683712","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Brothers United in Mission to Improve Water","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEnvironmental Engineering graduate students Farhan Khan and Farshid Khan are passionate about providing access to clean water.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey have a lot in common\u2014starting with the fact that they are brothers. Farhan Khan came to Georgia Tech from Bangladesh to begin his Ph.D. studies in 2021. Farshid Khan followed in 2024, beginning his first semester assisting a doctoral student in the very same lab as his older brother.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech undoubtedly has one of the best programs in this field,\u201d Farshid Khan said. \u201cAlso because of the fact that my brother is here, when I got the admission offer, it was the perfect place to come.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir journey to Georgia Tech is deeply rooted in their experience growing up in Bangladesh.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne of the major problems in Bangladesh is textile effluent pollution,\u201d Farshid Khan said. \u201cIt is one of the largest textile exporters in the world. But the problem with the textile industry is they do not treat the water well. All of their effluents come into our rivers and they are highly polluted.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI always wanted to work on that, and it is still my plan after going back to Bangladesh to work on that.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERead more about their story on the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/brothers-united-mission-improve-water\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering website.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEnvironmental Engineering graduate students Farhan Khan and Farshid Khan are passionate about providing access to clean water. They have a lot in common\u2014starting with the fact that they are brothers. Farhan Khan came to Georgia Tech from Bangladesh to begin his Ph.D. studies in 2021. Farshid Khan followed in 2024, beginning his first semester assisting a doctoral student in the very same lab as his older brother.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Environmental Engineering graduate students Farhan Khan and Farshid Khan are passionate about providing access to clean water.  They have a lot in common\u2014starting with the fact that they are brothers. Farhan Khan came to Georgia Tech from Bangladesh to be"}],"uid":"35146","created_gmt":"2025-08-11 16:46:03","changed_gmt":"2025-08-11 16:51:43","author":"mweinman3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677644":{"id":"677644","type":"image","title":"_MG_9577.jpg","body":null,"created":"1754930820","gmt_created":"2025-08-11 16:47:00","changed":"1754930820","gmt_changed":"2025-08-11 16:47:00","alt":"Farhan and Farshid Khan in the lab ","file":{"fid":"261562","name":"_MG_9577.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/11\/_MG_9577.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/11\/_MG_9577.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":14004659,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/11\/_MG_9577.jpg?itok=k2jn9oZR"}}},"media_ids":["677644"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"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\u003EMelissa Fralick\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["melissa.fralick@ce.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683257":{"#nid":"683257","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Deep Dive Into Shark Ecology Provides Path to Conservation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFew animals captivate people\u2019s imagination like sharks. From the enduring cultural legacy of \u003Cem\u003EJaws\u003C\/em\u003E, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, to the continued popularity of the Discovery Channel\u0027s Shark Week, now in its 37th year, media portrayals of the apex predator can shape public perception, illuminate their role within Earth\u0027s ecosystems, and influence conservation efforts. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Cameron Perry, every week is shark week. The Georgia Tech alumnus earned his Ph.D. in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ocean.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eocean science and engineering\u003C\/a\u003E in 2024 and now leads the whale shark and manta ray initiatives at Georgia Aquarium. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a 6-year-old listening to his mother read him \u003Cem\u003ETwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea\u003C\/em\u003E and imagining the creatures Captain Nemo encountered, Perry had dreams of exploring the oceans for himself. When he saw his first whale shark in Georgia Aquarium\u0027s 6.3-million-gallon tank, he set out to learn as much as he could about the gentle giants and help to conserve the endangered species. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPerry\u0027s research has taken him around the world to observe whale shark behaviors in St. Helena and the Galapagos Islands, working to understand their migration habits, reproduction, and global ecology. While most people won\u0027t encounter sharks daily as he does, Perry sees the aquarium as well as the media as effective tools in showcasing sharks in the proper light. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022They are kind of mysterious and unknown. For many people, they\u0027ve never encountered sharks in their lifetime, and part of that captivation could lead to fear, but education can turn that fear into wonder and awe. There\u0027s a narrative that these animals are mindless eating machines, but the more you learn, you realize that\u0027s not the case,\u0022 he said. \u201cThese creatures have existed for 400 million years; they\u0027re older than trees, and understanding their role on our planet is important to changing the narrative around sharks.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPerry likens sharks to the white blood cells of the ecosystems in which they live, as they help prevent the spread of disease through the consumption of dead or diseased prey, contribute to population control, and provide balance to the ocean\u0027s biodiversity.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EUnderstanding Our Role\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile at Georgia Tech, Perry worked alongside Regents\u2019 Chair and Harry and Anna Teasley Chair in Environmental Biology \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/mark-hay\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMark Hay\u003C\/a\u003E, whose research has highlighted the role that sharks, and other large predators, play in habitat regulation within coral reefs. Hay explains that overfishing and other human activities have decimated shark populations in certain parts of the world, significantly affecting coral reefs and the populations that rely on them. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the manager of a freshwater beach in Kentucky in 1975, Hay saw firsthand the impact that \u003Cem\u003EJaws\u003C\/em\u003E had on the beachgoing public at the time \u2014 including his lifeguards.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI had about 25 lifeguards, and I made them swim a mile every day on our buoy line. After we all went to see \u003Cem\u003EJaws\u003C\/em\u003E, about half of them refused to swim the mile for over a week. They\u0027d look at me and say, \u0027You can fire me. I\u0027m not going in,\u0027 and I\u0027d laugh and say, \u2018We\u0027re in freshwater. Jaws isn\u0027t in there.\u2019\u0022 \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHay said that while the movie remains a favorite of his, its depiction of sharks isn\u0027t representative of their behavior in the wild, as shark attacks are often accidents, not predatory actions. Like Perry, Hay believes that education can help protect sharks and bring a renewed focus to solving the ongoing issues facing the oceans. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022These ecosystems are degrading, and it\u0027s us that\u0027s doing it. What I am trying to do in my teaching is to go beyond cataloging the demise and take a more Georgia Tech-type approach by saying, \u0027If the bridge is broken, we have to be the ones to rebuild it,\u0027\u0022 he said. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHay keeps a saber-toothed tiger fossil on his desk as a constant reminder to himself that \u0022everything I study was shaped by what used to be here,\u0022 and how understanding nature can help preserve it for the future. Sharks are a captivating species, and both Perry and Hay stress that continued research and a commitment to education are the key to their conservation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Experts say that more accurate depictions of sharks can help protect them and highlight their role in global ecosystems.  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EExperts say that more accurate depictions of sharks can help protect them and highlight their role in global ecosystems. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Experts say that more accurate depictions of sharks can help protect them and highlight their role in global ecosystems.  "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2025-07-24 16:47:25","changed_gmt":"2025-07-24 19:08:53","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677479":{"id":"677479","type":"image","title":"Cameron Perry with Whale Shark","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECameron Perry swims alongside a whale shark on a Georgia Aquarium expedition off the coast of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. Submitted photo.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1753377191","gmt_created":"2025-07-24 17:13:11","changed":"1753377191","gmt_changed":"2025-07-24 17:13:11","alt":"Whale shark in the ocean. ","file":{"fid":"261381","name":"Unknown-1.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/24\/Unknown-1.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/24\/Unknown-1.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":116048,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/24\/Unknown-1.jpeg?itok=PECHZ5jE"}}},"media_ids":["677479"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"565971","name":"Ocean Science and Engineering (OSE)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"143","name":"Digital Media and Entertainment"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"169673","name":"Sharks"},{"id":"50821","name":"Whale Sharks"},{"id":"783","name":"conservation"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"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":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683036":{"#nid":"683036","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Jenny McGuire Named Teasley Professor","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe College of Sciences is pleased to announce\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/jenny-mcguire\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Jenny McGuire\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Eas the recipient of the Harry and Anna Teasley Professorship\u0026nbsp;in Ecology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe newly endowed faculty position supports research and teaching that meaningfully advances the understanding and responsible stewardship of species and community dynamics amid evolving ecological interactions driven by global environmental change.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMcGuire, an associate professor in the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;School of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences,\u003C\/a\u003E was selected for her pioneering ecological research and exceptional teaching efforts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cJenny\u2019s creative and fundamental research in spatial and community ecology is helping to position Georgia Tech as a leader in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation,\u201d\u0026nbsp;says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/todd-streelman\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETodd Streelman\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and chair of the School of Biological Sciences. \u201cHer appointment continues a trend in the School to award research endowments to our most promising early- and mid-career scientists and\u0026nbsp;highlights the strong support and generosity of alumni such as the Teasley family.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMeet Jenny McGuire\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMcGuire joined the Georgia Tech faculty in 2017 as an assistant professor. She earned a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from the\u0026nbsp;University of California, Berkeley,\u0026nbsp;and completed postdoctoral research at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center and the University of Washington.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer research explores how plants and animals respond to environmental changes across space and time \u2014\u0026nbsp;from the ancient past to modern urban environments to the future. She leads the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mcguire.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Spatial Ecology and Paleontology Lab\u003C\/a\u003E, which integrates paleontological data, ecological modeling, and fieldwork to understand how biodiversity shifts in response to climate change and human development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur goal isn\u2019t just to preserve biodiversity, but also to help it thrive in a changing landscape,\u201d says McGuire.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe plans to use the Teasley endowment to advance wildlife redistribution research in the Southeastern U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cGeorgia is a climate change highway,\u201d explains McGuire. \u201cSpecies are moving northeast toward the Appalachian Mountains, but roads, development, and fragmented habitats often block their paths.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMcGuire believes Georgia Tech is uniquely positioned to lead in this field, thanks to its technological strengths. She and her team will collaborate across campus and the Southeast, implementing cutting-edge biodiversity monitoring to better understand how species experience and respond to environmental changes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cConducting this research in urban areas like Atlanta \u2014 where green infrastructure can serve as vital wildlife corridors \u2014 is especially important,\u201d adds McGuire.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Teasley Professorship will also support student involvement at all levels. McGuire hopes to build a more connected and proactive research community that brings together students, ecologists, biologists, engineers, computer scientists, and community partners to address biodiversity challenges across the Southeast.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMcGuire is a 2024 Cullen-Peck Fellow, a Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Faculty Fellow since 2023, and an NSF CAREER Award winner. Her long-running outreach program,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EFossil Fridays\u003C\/strong\u003E, invites students, families, and community members into the lab to sort and study real fossil specimens.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELooking ahead, she\u2019s eager to explore the possibilities provided by the Teasley Professorship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s an incredible opportunity to elevate Georgia Tech\u2019s role in shaping how we understand and protect life on a changing planet.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA legacy of excellence\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHarry E. Teasley, Jr\u003C\/strong\u003E. graduated from Georgia Tech in 1959 with a degree in industrial engineering and worked for over 33 years for The Coca-Cola Company. In addition to the many leadership roles he held at Coca-Cola, Mr. Teasley is remembered for pioneering the\u0026nbsp;first Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to be used in an industrial context. LCA was a pioneering analytical framework assessing environmental impacts of a product\u0027s life from \u0022cradle to grave,\u0022 and it is used across most major industries today.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Harry and Anna Teasley Professorship in Ecology is the second Teasley Professorship supporting environmental research at Georgia Tech. School of Biological Sciences Regents\u2019 Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/mark-hay\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMark Hay\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has held the Harry and Anna Teasley Chair in Environmental Biology since 1999.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMrs. Teasley provided an official statement regarding the Harry and Anna Teasley Professorships at Georgia Tech:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u201cIt was the intent of my late husband Harry E. Teasley Jr. that the funds he gave to Professor Mark Hay at Georgia Tech would be to support excellence in the field of environmental biology and to provide him with the freedom to study any concept, hypothesis, or organism that his experience-honed intuition guided him to.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWith time, Professor Hay has proven to have been a very worthy choice and has made my late husband and I very proud through the breadth and depth of his studies, discoveries, and highest possible awards he has received. Once this was established, and along with the profound esteem both men had developed for each other, there was the wish to leave a legacy beyond the research: the human values and scientific approach to research that Professor Hay has demonstrated from the start.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EHaving been the unanimous choice of the evaluating committee, Associate Professor Jenny McGuire seems to be an excellent first recipient, and I am very proud to welcome her as I know my late husband would have been as well.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EI wish her many successes in pursuing and teaching her very promising research, and I look forward to learning about the impact she will have in her field as we have through the years admired Professor Mark Hay\u2019s achievements.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E###\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETo learn more about\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETransforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, visit\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/transformingtomorrow.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Etransformingtomorrow.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJenny McGuire has been named a Teasley Professor, advancing Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in biodiversity research and climate resilience.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Jenny McGuire has been named a Teasley Professor, advancing Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in biodiversity research and climate resilience."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2025-07-08 12:04:17","changed_gmt":"2025-07-14 15:58:25","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677350":{"id":"677350","type":"image","title":"Jenny McGuire","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJenny McGuire\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1751976281","gmt_created":"2025-07-08 12:04:41","changed":"1751976281","gmt_changed":"2025-07-08 12:04:41","alt":"A woman stands behind a row of skulls.","file":{"fid":"261242","name":"16C10200-P42-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/08\/16C10200-P42-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/08\/16C10200-P42-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6048126,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/08\/16C10200-P42-001.jpg?itok=1SzW21M_"}}},"media_ids":["677350"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.gtalumni.org\/s\/1481\/alumni\/17\/magazine-pages.aspx?sid=1481\u0026gid=21\u0026pgid=22870","title":"Tech\u0027s Fossil Hunters"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"166882","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"76631","name":"endowed chairs and professorships"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"166926","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences"},{"id":"10936","name":"Biodiversity"}],"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\u003ELaura S. Smith, writer\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683093":{"#nid":"683093","#data":{"type":"news","title":"\u2018Biochar\u2019 Can Naturally Clean the Pollution that Rain Washes Off Georgia\u2019s Roads","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA charcoal-like material made from leaves and branches that collect on forest floors could be a cheap, sustainable way to keep pollution from washing off roadways and into Georgia\u2019s lakes and rivers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEngineers at Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern University have found that this biological charcoal, or biochar, can be mixed with soil and used along roadways to catch grimy rainwater and filter it naturally before it pollutes surface water.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir tests found the biochar effectively cleans contaminants from the rainwater and works just as well in the sandy soils of the coastal plain as in the clays of north Georgia. Their biochar-soil mixture can be easily substituted for expensive material mined from the earth that\u2019s typically used on roads.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough they focused on Georgia, the researchers said the findings could easily apply across the U.S., providing a simple, natural way to keep road pollutants out of water sources. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jenvman.2025.126259\u0022\u003EThey published their approach in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Environmental Management\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/biochar-can-naturally-clean-pollution-rain-washes-georgias-roads\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELearn about their system on the College of Engineering website.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new study shows how the material made from leaves and branches that collect on forest floors can be mixed with local soil to filter out road grime before it reaches waterways.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new study shows how the material made from leaves and branches that collect on forest floors can be mixed with local soil to filter out road grime before it reaches waterways."}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2025-07-10 17:09:21","changed_gmt":"2025-07-10 17:25:28","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677386":{"id":"677386","type":"image","title":"Yongsheng-Chen-Ahmed-Yunus_5613-web.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Yongsheng Chen (left) and Ph.D. student Ahmed Yunus work with a wastewater reactor system in the lab. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1752167370","gmt_created":"2025-07-10 17:09:30","changed":"1752167370","gmt_changed":"2025-07-10 17:09:30","alt":"Ahmed Yunus and Yongsheng Chen working with a wastewater reactor system in the lab.","file":{"fid":"261281","name":"Yongsheng-Chen-Ahmed-Yunus_5613-web.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/10\/Yongsheng-Chen-Ahmed-Yunus_5613-web.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/10\/Yongsheng-Chen-Ahmed-Yunus_5613-web.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1037044,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/10\/Yongsheng-Chen-Ahmed-Yunus_5613-web.jpg?itok=NyQGN1U_"}}},"media_ids":["677386"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188020","name":"go-rbi"}],"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\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":""}},"682882":{"#nid":"682882","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Mars Rising as the New Frontier of Science and Strategy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore than half a century after the United States won the race to the moon, the White House is setting its sights on a new frontier: Mars. In a move reminiscent of the Apollo era, the administration has proposed landing Americans on the red planet by the end of 2026 \u2014 a bold initiative that has reignited national ambition and drawn comparisons to the space race of the 20th century.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, researchers are already considering the mission\u2019s implications, from engineering challenges to international diplomacy. While the White House has framed the mission as a demonstration of American leadership, experts say its success will depend on collaboration \u2014 across disciplines, sectors, and borders.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is more than a space race,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/christos-e-athanasiou\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChristos Athanasiou\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. \u201cMars isn\u2019t just the next step for space exploration \u2014 it\u2019s a stress test for everything we\u2019ve learned about sustainability, resilience, and engineering under uncertainty.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEngineering for the Red Planet\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Athanasiou, the Mars mission is a test of human ingenuity, creativity, and endurance. Unlike the moon, Mars is months away by spacecraft, with no quick return option. That distance introduces a host of engineering challenges that must be solved before a single boot touches Martian soil.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEnsuring astronaut safety on such a long-duration mission requires us to understand how the Earth materials we will be using in our mission behave in extraterrestrial conditions,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn his recent \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ds6hQXVpUCs\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETEDx talk\u003C\/a\u003E, Athanasiou emphasized that the mission must also consider its environmental impact. Mars may be barren, but it is not immune to contamination. Athanasiou believes that strategies used for environmental remediation on Earth \u2014 such as waste recycling, habitat sustainability, and pollution control \u2014 can be adapted to protect the Martian environment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we can build structures that survive Mars using recycled materials, AI, and Earth-born ingenuity, we\u2019ll unlock entirely new ways to live \u2014 both out there and back here,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReading the Martian Landscape\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/wray.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJames Wray\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, has spent years analyzing Mars\u2019 surface using data from orbiters and rovers. He sees the planet as both a scientific treasure trove and a logistical puzzle.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMars has vast lava plains, dust storms, and steep canyons that pose real risks to human settlement,\u201d Wray said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut beneath the challenges lies opportunity. Mars is home to significant deposits of water ice, especially near the poles and just below the surface in some mid-latitude regions. That water could be used not only for drinking but also for producing oxygen and rocket fuel \u2014 critical resources for long-term habitation and return missions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe presence of water ice near the surface is a game changer. It could support life, and more importantly, it could support us,\u201d Wray said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe also noted that Mars\u2019 thin atmosphere \u2014 just 1% the density of Earth\u2019s \u2014 complicates everything from landing spacecraft to shielding astronauts from cosmic radiation. \u201cWe\u2019ve learned a lot from robotic missions. Now it\u2019s time to apply that knowledge to human exploration.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiplomacy Beyond Earth\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/Lincoln-Hines\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELincoln Hines\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, says that the Mars mission could have significant diplomatic implications. \u201cThe Mars mission has little to no bearing on space security; it has no military value,\u201d he said. However, he noted that international cooperation could still play a valuable role in reducing the financial burden of such a costly endeavor.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHines warned that shifting U.S. priorities from the moon to Mars could strain the international partnerships built through the Artemis program. He explained that some countries may view the Mars initiative as a distraction from the more immediate and economically promising lunar goals. Political instability in the U.S., he added, could further erode trust in its long-term commitments. \u201cCountries may lose faith that the United States is a reliable partner to cooperate with for its lunar program if Mars seems to be the new priority,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe also pointed to existing legal frameworks like the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits sovereign claims on celestial bodies, and the Rescue Agreement, which obliges nations to assist astronauts in distress. While these agreements provide a foundation, Hines emphasized that they don\u2019t fully address the complexities of future Mars missions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEstablishing international norms for Mars exploration, he said, will be challenging. \u201cNorms are really hard to develop,\u201d Hines explained, noting that countries often hesitate to commit to rules without assurance that others will do the same. Still, he suggested that Mars \u2014 with its limited material value \u2014 might offer a rare opportunity for cooperation, if nations are willing to engage in good faith.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech contributes to the national vision with research in engineering, science, and policy. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore than half a century after the United States won the race to the moon, the White House is setting its sights on a new frontier: Mars. In a move reminiscent of the Apollo era, the administration has proposed landing Americans on the red planet by the end of 2026 \u2014 a bold initiative that has reignited national ambition and drawn comparisons to the space race of the 20th century.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As the White House accelerates plans for a 2026 crewed mission to Mars, Georgia Tech experts highlight the engineering, scientific, and diplomatic challenges that will shape the success\u2014and sustainability\u2014of humanity\u2019s next giant leap."}],"uid":"35797","created_gmt":"2025-06-25 13:46:35","changed_gmt":"2025-07-07 14:22:22","author":"Siobhan Rodriguez","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677344":{"id":"677344","type":"image","title":"mars-news-img-2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1751898074","gmt_created":"2025-07-07 14:21:14","changed":"1751898074","gmt_changed":"2025-07-07 14:21:14","alt":"the planet mars with a satellite flying in front of it","file":{"fid":"261236","name":"mars-news-img-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/07\/mars-news-img-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/07\/mars-news-img-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1914579,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/07\/mars-news-img-2.jpg?itok=ZkvQ7Rjs"}}},"media_ids":["677344"],"related_links":[{"url":"entity:node\/682660","title":"Volcano \u0027Hidden in Plain Sight\u0027 Could Help Date Mars \u2014 and its Habitability"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"194610","name":"National Interests\/National Security"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194614","name":"Mars mission"},{"id":"194615","name":"White House space policy"},{"id":"194616","name":"2026 Mars landing"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"192170","name":"Christos Athanasiou"},{"id":"52181","name":"James Wray"},{"id":"194617","name":"Lincoln Hines"},{"id":"408","name":"NASA"},{"id":"194618","name":"Artemis program"},{"id":"167098","name":"space exploration"},{"id":"194619","name":"international cooperation"},{"id":"194620","name":"Outer Space Treaty"},{"id":"194621","name":"space diplomacy"},{"id":"167990","name":"space security"},{"id":"194622","name":"lunar vs. Mars priorities"},{"id":"194623","name":"U.S.\u2013China space relations"},{"id":"194624","name":"environmental impact on Mars"},{"id":"194625","name":"human spaceflight"},{"id":"194626","name":"Mars geology"},{"id":"167707","name":"Space Policy"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193657","name":"Space Research Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESiobhan Rodriguez\u003Cbr\u003ESenior Media Relations\u0026nbsp;Representative\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["media@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682906":{"#nid":"682906","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Joel Kostka re\u00adceives Hum\u00adboldt Re\u00adsearch Award","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis week, Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/kostkalab\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoel Kostka\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E was awar\u00added the pres\u00adti\u00adgi\u00adous\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.humboldt-foundation.de\/en\/apply\/sponsorship-programmes\/humboldt-research-award\u0022\u003EHumboldt Research Award\u003C\/a\u003E by the Al\u00adex\u00adan\u00adder von Hum\u00adboldt Found\u00ada\u00adtion\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.humboldt-foundation.de\/en\/explore\/newsroom\/press-releases\/humboldt-foundations-annual-meeting-and-reception-with-federal-president-steinmeier-3\u0022\u003Eduring its annual meeting\u003C\/a\u003E and reception with Germany\u2019s Federal President Steinmeier in Berlin. Every year, the Foundation grants up to 100 Humboldt Research Awards worldwide, which recognize internationally leading researchers of all disciplines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe award\u2019s \u20ac80,000 endowment will support a research trip to Germany for up to a year \u2014 during which Kostka will collaborate with Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mpi-bremen.de\/en\/Biogeochemistry-Group\/People\/Marcel-Kuypers.html\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMar\u00adcel Kuypers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mpi-bremen.de\/en\/Home.html\u0022\u003EMax Planck In\u00adsti\u00adtute for Mar\u00adine Mi\u00adcro\u00adbi\u00ado\u00adlogy\u003C\/a\u003E in Bre\u00admen, Germany \u2014 to as\u00adsess the role of mar\u00adine plant mi\u00adcro\u00adbi\u00ado\u00admes in coastal mar\u00adine eco\u00adsys\u00adtem health and climate re\u00adsi\u00adli\u00adence.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka, who holds joint appointments in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/joel-kostka\u0022\u003ESchool of Bio\u00adlo\u00adgical Sci\u00adences\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/kostka-joel\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, is also the as\u00adso\u00adci\u00adate chair for re\u00adsearch in Bio\u00adlo\u00adgical Sci\u00adences. He was\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/joel-kostka-named-director-georgia-tech-georgias-tomorrow\u0022\u003E\u200b\u200brecently named the inaugural faculty director\u003C\/a\u003E of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-center-science-georgias-tomorrow\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech for Georgia\u0027s Tomorrow\u003C\/a\u003E. The new Center, announced by the College of Sciences in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life across the state of Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWetlands in a changing climate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cHuman population is centered on coastlines, and coastal ecosystems provide many services for people,\u201d Kostka says. \u201cAlthough they cover less than 1 percent of the ocean, coastal wetlands store over 50 percent of the seafloor\u2019s rich carbon reserves.\u201d But researchers aren\u2019t sure how these ecosystems will respond to a changing climate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMicrobes may be the key. Microbes play a critical role in maintaining plant health and helping them adapt to stressors, Kostka says. Similar to human bodies, plants have microbiomes: a community of microbes intimately associated with the plant that help it take up nutrients, stimulate the plant\u2019s immune system, and regulate plant hormones.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOur research indicates that plant microbiomes are fundamental to wetland ecosystem health, yet almost everything we know about them is from agricultural systems,\u201d he adds. \u201cWe know very little about the microbes associated with these important marine plants that dominate coastal ecosystems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka\u2019s work in Germany will investigate how microbiomes help coastal marine plants adapt to stress and keep them healthy. From there, he will investigate how plant microbiomes contribute to the carbon and nutrient cycles of coastal ecosystems \u2014 and how they contribute to ecosystem resilience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpanding collaboration \u2014 and insights\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOne goal of the collaboration is to exchange information on two types of marine plants that dominate coastal ecosystems worldwide: those associated with seagrass meadows and salt marshes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI\u2019ve investigated salt marsh plants in the intertidal zone between tides, and my colleagues at the Max Planck Institute have focused on seagrass beds and seagrass meadows, which are subtidal, below the tides,\u201d Kostka says. \u201cWhile these two ecosystems have some different characteristics, they both cover large areas of the global coastline and are dominated by salt-tolerant plants.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn salt marshes, Kostka has shown that marine plants have symbiotic microbes in their roots that help them to take up nitrogen and deal with stress by removing\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/experts\/sulfur-oxidation-and-reduction-are-coupled-nitrogen-fixation-roots-salt-marsh-foundation\u0022\u003Etoxic sulfides\u003C\/a\u003E. He suspects that these plant-microbe interactions are critical to the resilience of coastal ecosystems. \u201cThe Max Planck Institute made similar observations in seagrass meadows as we did in salt marshes,\u201d Kostka explains. \u201cBut they found different bacteria.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom Georgia to Germany\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBeyond supporting excellence in research, another key goal of the Humboldt Research Award is to support international collaboration \u2014 something very familiar to Kostka. \u201cI\u0027ve been working with Professor Kuypers and the Max Planck Institute in Bremen for many years,\u201d he says, adding that he completed his postdoctoral research at the Institute. \u201cMax Planck\u0027s labs are some of the best in the world for what they do, and their imaging technology can give us an unprecedented look at plant-microbe interactions at the cellular level.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis project is also special because I am collaborating with other scientists in northern Germany,\u201d Kostka adds. \u201cThe University of Bremen is home to the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.marum.de\/en\/index.html\u0022\u003ECen\u00adter for Mar\u00adine En\u00advir\u00adon\u00admental Sci\u00adences\u003C\/a\u003E (MARUM), which is designated as a Cluster of Excellence by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.dfg.de\/en\u0022\u003EGerman National Science Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E, so there are a number of fantastic research centers in Bremen to work with.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHis hope is that this project will deepen collaboration between the research at Georgia Tech and research in Germany. \u201cI look forward to seeing what we can uncover about these critical systems while working together.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe award will support Kostka\u2019s research on the role of marine plant microbiomes in coastal climate resilience in collaboration with Germany\u2019s Max Planck Institute.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The award will support Kostka\u2019s research on the role of marine plant microbiomes in coastal climate resilience in collaboration with Germany\u2019s Max Planck Institute."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-06-26 17:04:12","changed_gmt":"2025-06-26 21:08:14","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677294":{"id":"677294","type":"image","title":"Professor\u00a0Joel Kostka at the Al\u00adex\u00adan\u00adder von Hum\u00adboldt Found\u00ada\u00adtion\u00a0annual meeting and reception in Germany this week.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;Joel Kostka at the Al\u00adex\u00adan\u00adder von Hum\u00adboldt Found\u00ada\u00adtion\u0026nbsp;annual meeting and reception in Germany this week.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1750971890","gmt_created":"2025-06-26 21:04:50","changed":"1750971890","gmt_changed":"2025-06-26 21:04:50","alt":"Professor\u00a0Joel Kostka at the Al\u00adex\u00adan\u00adder von Hum\u00adboldt Found\u00ada\u00adtion\u00a0annual meeting and reception in Germany this week.","file":{"fid":"261178","name":"Humboldt---Joel-Kostka---web.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/26\/Humboldt---Joel-Kostka---web.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/26\/Humboldt---Joel-Kostka---web.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":801832,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/26\/Humboldt---Joel-Kostka---web.jpg?itok=7jfMRjYH"}}},"media_ids":["677294"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"194631","name":"cos-georgia"}],"core_research_areas":[{"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 Selena Langner\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682660":{"#nid":"682660","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Volcano \u0027Hidden in Plain Sight\u0027 Could Help Date Mars \u2014 and its Habitability","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech scientists have uncovered evidence that a mountain on the rim of Jezero Crater \u2014 where NASA\u2019s Perseverance Rover is currently collecting samples for possible return to Earth \u2014 is likely a volcano. Called Jezero Mons,\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Eit is nearly half the size of the crater itself and could add critical clues to the habitability and volcanism of Mars, transforming how we understand Mars\u2019 geologic history.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s43247-025-02329-7\u0022\u003EEvidence for a composite volcano on the rim of Jezero crater on Mars\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d was published this May in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E-family journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ECommunications Earth \u0026amp; Environment,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Eand\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Eunderscores\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ehow much we have left to learn about one of the most well-studied regions of Mars.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELead author\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/deeps.brown.edu\/people\/sara-cuevas-quinones\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESara C. Cuevas-Qui\u00f1ones\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E completed the research as an undergraduate during a summer program at Georgia Tech; she is now a graduate student at Brown University. The team also included corresponding author Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/wray.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames J. Wray\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E (\u003C\/strong\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences), Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/rivera-hernandez-dr-frances\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrances Rivera-Hern\u00e1ndez\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences), and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/search.asu.edu\/profile\/2095063\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJacob Adler\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ethen a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Tech and now an assistant research professor at Arizona State University.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cVolcanism on Mars is intriguing for a number of reasons \u2014 from the implications it has on habitability, to better constraining the geologic history,\u201d Wray says. \u201cJezero Crater is one of the best studied sites on Mars. If we are just now identifying a volcano here, imagine how many more could be on Mars. Volcanoes may be even more widespread across Mars than we thought.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA mountain in the margins\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWray\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Efirst noticed\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ethe mountain in 2007, while considering Jezero Crater as a graduate student.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI was looking at low-resolution photos of the area and noticed a mountain on the crater\u2019s rim,\u201d he recalls. \u201cTo me, it looked like a volcano, but it was difficult to get additional images.\u201d At the time, Jezero Crater was newly discovered, and imaging focused almost entirely on its intriguing water history, which is on the opposite side of the 28-mile-wide crater.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThen, Jezero Crater, due to these lake-like sedimentary deposits, was selected as the landing spot for the 2020 Perseverance Rover \u2014 an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/mars-2020-perseverance\/\u0022\u003Eongoing NASA mission seeking signs of ancient Martian life and collecting rock samples for possible return to Earth\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHowever, after landing, some of the first rocks Perseverance encountered were not the sedimentary deposits one might expect from a previously-flooded area \u2014 they were volcanic. Wray suspected he might know the origin of these rocks, but to make a case for it, he would need to show that the mountain on the edge of Jezero Crater could indeed be a volcano.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA new researcher \u2014 and old data\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe opportunity presented itself several months after Perseverance landed when Cuevas-Qui\u00f1ones applied to a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/easreu.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESummer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program hosted by the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E to work with Wray.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0019103518306067?via%3Dihub\u0022\u003EA previous study\u003C\/a\u003E led by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EBriony Horgan\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(professor of planetary science at Purdue University) had also suggested that Jezero Mons could be volcanic,\u201d Cuevas-Qui\u00f1ones says. \u201cI began wondering if there was a way to home in on these suspicions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team partnered with study coauthor Rivera-Hern\u00e1ndez, who specializes in characterizing the surface of planets and their habitability. They decided to use datasets gathered from spacecraft orbiting Mars to compare the properties of Jezero Mons to other, known, volcanoes. \u201cWe can\u2019t visit Mars and definitively prove that Jezero Mons is a volcano, but we can show that it shares the same properties with existing volcanoes \u2014 both here on Earth and Mars,\u201d Wray explains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe used data from the Mars Odyssey Orbiter, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, and Perseverance Rover, all in combination to puzzle this out,\u201d he adds. \u201cI think this shows that these older spacecraft can be extremely valuable long after their initial missions end \u2014 these old spacecraft can still make important discoveries and help us answer tricky questions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFor Cuevas-Qui\u00f1ones, it also underscores the importance of REU programs and opportunities for undergraduates. \u201cI was an undergraduate student at the time, and this was my first time conducting research,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was fascinating to learn how different data sets could be used to decode the origin of a landscape. After Jezero Mons, it became clear to me that I would continue to study Mars and other planetary bodies.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe search for life \u2014 and determining Mars\u2019 age\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe discovery makes the crater even more intriguing in the search for past life on Mars. A volcano so close to watery Jezero Crater could add a critical source of heat on an otherwise cold planet, including the potential for hydrothermal activity \u2014 energy that life could use to thrive.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis type of system also holds interest for Mars as a whole. \u201cThe coalescence of these two types of systems makes Jezero more interesting than ever,\u201d shares Wray. \u201cWe have samples of incredible sedimentary rocks that could be from a habitable region alongside igneous rocks with important scientific value.\u201d If returned to Earth, igneous rocks can be radioisotope dated to know their age very precisely. Dating the Jezero Crater samples could be used to calibrate age estimates, providing an unprecedented window into the geologic history of the planet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe take home message? \u201cMars is the best place we have to look in our solar system for signs of life, and thanks to the Perseverance Rover collecting samples in Jezero, the United States has samples from the best rocks in the best place on Mars,\u201d Wray says. \u201cIf these samples are returned to Earth, we can do incredible, groundbreaking science with them.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43247-025-02329-7\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43247-025-02329-7\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: Cuevas-Qui\u00f1ones was supported by Georgia Tech\u2019s 2021 Research Experience for Undergraduates program sponsored by NSF and 3M corporation. Wray was supported by NASA funding for Co-Investigators on HiRISE and CaSSIS. CaSSIS is a project of the University of Bern and funded through the Swiss Space Office via ESA\u2019s PRODEX program. The instrument hardware development was also supported by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) (ASI-INAF agreement 2020-17-HH.0), INAF\/Astronomical Observatory of Padova, and the Space Research Center (CBK) in Warsaw. Support from SGF (Budapest), the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Lab, and NASA are also gratefully acknowledged. Operation support from the UK Space Agency is also acknowledged.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers have discovered evidence that a mountain on the rim of Jezero Crater \u2014 where NASA\u2019s Perseverance Rover is currently collecting samples for possible return to Earth \u2014 is likely a volcano. The research could add critical clues to the habitability and volcanism of Mars, transforming how we understand Mars\u2019 geologic history.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech scientists have uncovered evidence that a mountain on the rim of Jezero Crater \u2014 where NASA\u2019s Perseverance Rover is currently collecting samples for possible return to Earth \u2014 is likely a volcano."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-06-05 13:27:33","changed_gmt":"2025-06-06 14:10:08","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677188":{"id":"677188","type":"image","title":"A view of Jezero Mons from the publication. The mountain is ~21\u2009km across.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA view of Jezero Mons from the publication. The mountain is ~21\u2009km across.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1749130319","gmt_created":"2025-06-05 13:31:59","changed":"1749130319","gmt_changed":"2025-06-05 13:31:59","alt":"A view of Jezero Mons from the publication. The mountain is ~21\u2009km across.","file":{"fid":"261062","name":"JezeroMons.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroMons.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroMons.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":121995,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroMons.jpg?itok=shnhPfCc"}},"677189":{"id":"677189","type":"image","title":"An image from the publication showing an oblique view from north-northeast of Jezero crater, with topography exaggerated ~3x","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn image from the publication showing an oblique view from north-northeast of Jezero crater, with topography exaggerated ~3x\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1749130628","gmt_created":"2025-06-05 13:37:08","changed":"1749130628","gmt_changed":"2025-06-05 13:37:08","alt":"An image from the publication showing an oblique view from north-northeast of Jezero crater, with topography exaggerated ~3x","file":{"fid":"261063","name":"JezeroMons2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroMons2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroMons2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":297855,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroMons2.jpg?itok=GbDAiEfg"}},"677190":{"id":"677190","type":"image","title":"An illustration of Jezero Crater as it may have looked billions of years go on Mars, when it was a lake. Jezero Mons is visible on the front right-side of the crater rim. (Credit: NASA)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn illustration of Jezero Crater as it may have looked billions of years go on Mars, when it was a lake. Jezero Mons is visible on the front right-side of the crater rim. (Credit: NASA)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1749130808","gmt_created":"2025-06-05 13:40:08","changed":"1749130808","gmt_changed":"2025-06-05 13:40:08","alt":"An illustration of Jezero Crater as it may have looked billions of years go on Mars, when it was a lake. Jezero Mons is visible on the front right-side of the crater rim. (Credit: NASA)","file":{"fid":"261064","name":"JezeroCrater3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroCrater3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroCrater3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":965001,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/05\/JezeroCrater3.jpg?itok=-IU8GxrG"}}},"media_ids":["677188","677189","677190"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/mars-stars-james-wray-wins-simons-fellowship-study-interstellar-objects","title":"From Mars to the Stars: James Wray Wins Simons Fellowship to Study Interstellar Objects"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"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 \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681618":{"#nid":"681618","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Joel Kostka Named Director of Georgia Tech for Georgia\u2019s Tomorrow","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe College of Sciences has named Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/joel-kostka\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoel Kostka\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E the inaugural faculty director of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-center-science-georgias-tomorrow\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech for Georgia\u0027s Tomorrow\u003C\/a\u003E. The new center, announced by the College in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life\u0026nbsp;across the state of Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cJoel is perfectly suited to lead this new initiative, especially since his research for a number of years has focused on Georgia and the vulnerability of both humans and ecosystems to climate change,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/dean-susan-lozier\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESusan Lozier\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, and professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cI look forward to seeing how Science for Georgia\u2019s Tomorrow takes shape and evolves under his thoughtful leadership.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI believe that my experience in research administration and in leading multidisciplinary research programs, along with the focus of my research on the vulnerability of Georgia\u2019s communities to climate change, have prepared me well for this role,\u201d says Kostka, who is the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E with a joint appointment in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cI am excited about the opportunity to lead the center as its inaugural director.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka\u2019s appointment will begin on May 1, 2025.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChampioning science in Georgia\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia\u0027s Tomorrow was created to foster research related to the health and resilience of Georgia\u2019s people, ecosystems, and communities. Specifically, it\u0026nbsp;will serve to boost research collaboration across the Institute, pave the way for public-private partnerships, and expand opportunities for Georgia students and communities to engage with Institute research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAmong Kostka\u2019s first tasks as faculty director will be the development of the center\u2019s strategic plan and the completion of two dedicated cluster hires from within the College of Sciences\u2019 six schools.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMeet Joel Kostka\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka is known for bridging biogeochemistry and microbiology to elucidate the role of microorganisms in ecosystem function. He has emerged as an international leader in ecosystem biogeoscience, providing a quantitative predictive understanding of how ecosystems function as well as determining the mechanisms by which climate change alters ecosystem resilience. He partners with a variety of stakeholders to conduct research on the restoration and adaptive management of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/roots-resilience-investigating-vital-role-microbes-coastal-plant-health\u0022\u003Ecoastal ecosystems in Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka has also served as the PI of a range of multidisciplinary research projects focused on environmental change as well as scientific advisory boards including Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, the NSF-funded Plum Island Estuary Long-term Ecological Research program, and the Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability on Bald Head Island.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka received a B.S. in Biology from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining Georgia Tech in 2011, he was a professor at the Department of Oceanography and Associate Director of the Institute of Energy Systems, Economics, and Sustainability at Florida State University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EInitial support for Georgia Tech for Georgia\u2019s Tomorrow is generously provided by the College of Sciences Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean\u0027s Chair fund. Cluster hire funding has been awarded by Provost Steven W. McLaughlin. The initiative will also seek funding from state, national and international organizations, private foundations, and government agencies to expand impact. Philanthropic support will also be sought in the form of professorships, programmatic support for the center, and seed funding.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech for Georgia\u0027s Tomorrow\u003C\/strong\u003E initially launched under the working name \u003Cstrong\u003EScience for Georgia\u0027s Tomorrow (Sci4GT)\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe new center, announced by the College in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life\u0026nbsp;across the state of Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The new center, announced by the College in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life\u00a0across the state of Georgia. "}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2025-04-07 13:25:49","changed_gmt":"2025-05-21 19:46:10","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-04T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-04T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675025":{"id":"675025","type":"image","title":"Joel Kostka ","body":null,"created":"1726693287","gmt_created":"2024-09-18 21:01:27","changed":"1726693287","gmt_changed":"2024-09-18 21:01:27","alt":"Joel Kostka","file":{"fid":"258612","name":"Joel Kostka.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/18\/Joel%20Kostka.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/18\/Joel%20Kostka.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":422897,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/18\/Joel%20Kostka.jpg?itok=zIPhfLUz"}}},"media_ids":["675025"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-center-science-georgias-tomorrow","title":"New Center: Georgia Tech for Georgia\u0027s Tomorrow"},{"url":"https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/kostkalab\/","title":"Kostka Lab"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"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":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"194451","name":"Science for Georgia\u0027s Tomorrow"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"194452","name":"Georgia science"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Lindsay C. Vidal\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681961":{"#nid":"681961","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Thesis on Human-Centered AI Earns Honors from International Computing Organization","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech alum\u2019s dissertation introduced ways to make artificial intelligence (AI) more accessible, interpretable, and accountable. Although it\u2019s been a year since his doctoral defense,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/zijie.wang\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZijie (Jay) Wang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) work continues to resonate with researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang is a recipient of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medium.com\/sigchi\/announcing-the-2025-acm-sigchi-awards-17c1feaf865f\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The award recognizes Wang for his lifelong work on democratizing human-centered AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThroughout my Ph.D. and industry internships, I observed a gap in existing research: there is a strong need for practical tools for applying human-centered approaches when designing AI systems,\u201d said Wang, now a safety researcher at OpenAI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy work not only helps people understand AI and guide its behavior but also provides user-friendly tools that fit into existing workflows.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/chi-2025\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Computing Swarms to Yokohama, Japan, for CHI 2025\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang\u2019s dissertation presented techniques in visual explanation and interactive guidance to align AI models with user knowledge and values. The work culminated from years of research, fellowship support, and internships.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang\u2019s most influential projects formed the core of his dissertation. These included:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/cnn-explainer\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECNN Explainer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: an open-source tool developed for deep-learning beginners. Since its release in July 2020, more than 436,000 global visitors have used the tool.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/diffusiondb\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiffusionDB\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: a first-of-its-kind large-scale dataset that lays a foundation to help people better understand generative AI. This work could lead to new research in detecting deepfakes and designing human-AI interaction tools to help people more easily use these models.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/interpret.ml\/gam-changer\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGAM Changer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: an interface that empowers users in healthcare, finance, or other domains to edit ML models to include knowledge and values specific to their domain, which improves reliability.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jennwv.com\/papers\/gamcoach.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGAM Coach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: an interactive ML tool that could help people who have been rejected for a loan by automatically letting an applicant know what is needed for them to receive loan approval. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-tool-teaches-responsible-ai-practices-when-using-large-language-models\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFarsight\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E: a tool that alerts developers when they write prompts in large language models that could be harmful and misused. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI feel extremely honored and lucky to receive this award, and I am deeply grateful to many who have supported me along the way, including Polo, mentors, collaborators, and friends,\u201d said Wang, who was advised by School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/polochau\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPolo Chau\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis recognition also inspired me to continue striving to design and develop easy-to-use tools that help everyone to easily interact with AI systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike Wang, Chau advised Georgia Tech alumnus\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fredhohman.com\/\u0022\u003EFred Hohman\u003C\/a\u003E (Ph.D. CSE 2020).\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/alumnus-building-legacy-through-dissertation-and-mentorship\u0022\u003EHohman won the ACM SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award in 2022\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/\u0022\u003EChau\u2019s group\u003C\/a\u003E synthesizes machine learning (ML) and visualization techniques into scalable, interactive, and trustworthy tools. These tools increase understanding and interaction with large-scale data and ML models.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChau is the associate director of corporate relations for the Machine Learning Center at Georgia Tech. Wang called the School of CSE his home unit while a student in the ML program under Chau.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang is one of five recipients of this year\u2019s award to be presented at the 2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chi2025.acm.org\/\u0022\u003ECHI 2025\u003C\/a\u003E). The conference occurs April 25-May 1 in Yokohama, Japan.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESIGCHI is the world\u2019s largest association of human-computer interaction professionals and practitioners. The group sponsors or co-sponsors 26 conferences, including CHI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang\u2019s outstanding dissertation award is the latest recognition of a career decorated with achievement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMonths after graduating from Georgia Tech,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/research-ai-safety-lands-recent-graduate-forbes-30-under-30\u0022\u003EForbes named Wang to its 30 Under 30 in Science for 2025\u003C\/a\u003E for his dissertation. Wang was one of 15 Yellow Jackets included in nine different 30 Under 30 lists and the only Georgia Tech-affiliated individual on the 30 Under 30 in Science list.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile a Georgia Tech student, Wang earned recognition from big names in business and technology. He received the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/student-named-apple-scholar-connecting-people-machine-learning\u0022\u003EApple Scholars in AI\/ML Ph.D. Fellowship in 2023\u003C\/a\u003E and was in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-machine-learning-students-earn-jp-morgan-ai-phd-fellowships\u0022\u003E2022 cohort of the J.P. Morgan AI Ph.D. Fellowships Program\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with the CHI award, Wang\u2019s dissertation earned him awards this year at banquets across campus. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com\/sites.gatech.edu\/dist\/0\/283\/files\/2025\/03\/2025-Sigma-Xi-Research-Award-Winners.pdf\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech chapter of Sigma Xi presented Wang with the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award\u003C\/a\u003E. He also received the College of Computing\u2019s Outstanding Dissertation Award.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech attracts many great minds, and I\u2019m glad that some, like Jay, chose to join our group,\u201d Chau said. \u201cIt has been a joy to work alongside them and witness the many wonderful things they have accomplished, and with many more to come in their careers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech alum\u2019s dissertation introduced ways to make artificial intelligence (AI) more accessible, interpretable, and accountable. Although it\u2019s been a year since his doctoral defense,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/zijie.wang\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZijie (Jay) Wang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) work continues to resonate with researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWang is a recipient of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medium.com\/sigchi\/announcing-the-2025-acm-sigchi-awards-17c1feaf865f\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The award recognizes Wang for his lifelong work on democratizing human-centered AI.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" Zijie (Jay) Wang (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) is a recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI)."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-04-22 14:24:46","changed_gmt":"2025-04-22 14:29:07","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676903":{"id":"676903","type":"image","title":"Jay-Wang-SIGCHI-Dissertation-Award.jpg","body":null,"created":"1745331896","gmt_created":"2025-04-22 14:24:56","changed":"1745331896","gmt_changed":"2025-04-22 14:24:56","alt":"Zijie (Jay) Wang CHI 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Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-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":""}},"681221":{"#nid":"681221","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Nature\u0027s Time Machine: How Long-Term Studies Unlock Evolution\u0027s Secrets","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech scientists are revealing how decades-long research programs have transformed our understanding of evolution, from laboratory petri dishes to tropical islands \u2014 along the way uncovering secrets that would remain hidden in shorter studies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThrough a new review paper published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the researchers underscore how long-term studies have captured evolution\u0027s most elusive processes, including the real-time formation of new species and the emergence of biological innovations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022Evolution isn\u0027t just about change over millions of years in fossils \u2014 it\u0027s happening all around us, right now,\u0022 says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/james-stroud\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames Stroud\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the paper\u2019s lead author and an Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech. \u0022However, to understand evolution, we need to watch it unfold in real time, often over many generations. Long-term studies allow us to do that by giving us a front-row seat to evolution in action.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe paper, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-025-08597-9\u0022\u003ELong-term studies provide unique insights into evolution\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d is the first-ever comprehensive analysis of these types of long-term evolutionary studies, and examines some of the longest-running evolutionary experiments and field studies to date, highlighting how they provide new perspectives on evolution. For example, in the Gal\u00e1pagos, a 40-year field study of Darwin\u2019s finches \u2014 songbirds named after evolutionary biology\u2019s famous founder \u2014 documented the formation of a new species through hybridization. In the lab, a study spanning 75,000 generations of bacteria showed populations unexpectedly evolving completely new metabolic abilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThese remarkable evolutionary events were only caught because of the long-term nature of the research programs,\u201d Stroud says. \u201cEven if short-term studies captured similar events, their evolutionary significance would be hard to assess without the historical context that long-term research provides.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe most fascinating results from long-term evolution studies are often completely unexpected \u2014 they\u0027re serendipitous discoveries that couldn\u0027t have been predicted at the start,\u201d explains the paper\u2019s co-author,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/will-ratcliff\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWill Ratcliff\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Sutherland Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and co-director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/qbios.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInterdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWhile we can accelerate many aspects of scientific research today, evolution still moves at its own pace,\u201d Ratcliff adds. \u201cThere\u0027s no technological shortcut for watching species adapt across generations.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDecades of discovery \u2014 from labs to islands\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new paper also highlights a growing challenge in modern science: the critical importance of supporting long-term research in an academic landscape that increasingly favors quick results and short-term funding. Yet, they say, some of biology\u0027s most profound insights emerge only through multi-decadal efforts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThose challenges and rewards are familiar to Stroud and Ratcliff, who operate their own long-term evolutionary research programs at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn South Florida, Stroud\u2019s \u2018Lizard Island\u2019 is helping document evolution in action across the football field-sized island\u2019s 1,000-lizard population. By studying a community of five species, his research is providing unique insights into\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2222071120\u0022\u003Ehow evolution maintains species\u2019 differences\u003C\/a\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-54302-1\u0022\u003Ehow species evolve when new competitors arrive\u003C\/a\u003E. Now operating for a decade, it is one of the world\u2019s longest-running active evolutionary studies of its kind.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn his lab at Georgia Tech, Ratcliff studies the origin of complex life \u2014 specifically,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-023-06052-1\u0022\u003Ehow single-celled organisms become multicellular\u003C\/a\u003E. His\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-study-discovers-how-altered-protein-folding-drives-multicellular-evolution\u0022\u003EMulticellularity Long Term Evolution Experiment\u003C\/a\u003E (MuLTEE) on snowflake yeast has run for more than 9,000 generations, with aims to continue for the next 25 years. The work has shown how key steps in the evolutionary transition from single-celled organisms to multi-celled organisms occur far more easily than previously understood.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImportant work in a changing world\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud says that the insights from these types of studies, and this review paper, are arriving at a crucial moment. \u201cThe world is rapidly changing, which poses unprecedented challenges to Earth\u0027s biodiversity,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt has never been more important to understand how organisms adapt to changing environments over time.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cLong-term studies provide our best window into achieving this,\u201d he adds. \u201cWe can document, in real time, both short-term and long-term evolutionary responses of species to changes in their environment like climate change and habitat modification.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBy drawing together evolution\u0027s longest-running experiments and field studies for the first time, Stroud and Ratcliff offer key insights into studying this fundamental process, suggesting that understanding life\u0027s past \u2014 and predicting its future \u2014 requires not just advanced technology or new methods, but also the simple power of time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: The US National Institutes of Health and the NSF Division of Environmental Biology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-025-08597-9\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-025-08597-9\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThrough a new review paper published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E, Georgia Tech scientists are revealing how decades-long research programs have transformed our understanding of evolution, uncovering secrets that would remain hidden in shorter studies.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Through a new review paper published in\u00a0Nature, Georgia Tech scientists are revealing how decades-long research programs have transformed our understanding of evolution, uncovering secrets that would remain hidden in shorter studies."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-03-19 13:26:28","changed_gmt":"2025-03-26 19:06:08","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-03-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676594":{"id":"676594","type":"image","title":"A 40-year field study of Gal\u00e1pagos ground finches (Geospiza sp.) has provided unparalleled insights into how natural selection operates in the wild and how new species might form. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA 40-year field study of Gal\u00e1pagos ground finches (\u003Cem\u003EGeospiza\u003C\/em\u003E sp.) has provided unparalleled insights into\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.1070315\u0022\u003Ehow natural selection operates in the wild\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aao4593\u0022\u003Ehow new species might form\u003C\/a\u003E. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742392983","gmt_created":"2025-03-19 14:03:03","changed":"1742392983","gmt_changed":"2025-03-19 14:03:03","alt":"A 40-year field study of Gal\u00e1pagos ground finches (Geospiza sp.) has provided unparalleled insights into how natural selection operates in the wild and how new species might form. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","file":{"fid":"260401","name":"StroudRatcliff_Fig1-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig1-copy_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig1-copy_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":443498,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig1-copy_0.jpg?itok=_c3-8gIx"}},"676593":{"id":"676593","type":"image","title":"A long-term field study of Californian stick insects (Timema cristinae) reveals how competing selection pressures shape their evolution. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aap9125\u0022\u003EA long-term field study of Californian stick insects (\u003Cem\u003ETimema cristinae\u003C\/em\u003E)\u003C\/a\u003E reveals how competing selection pressures shape their evolution. While brown-colored stick insects experience lower predation rates from Californian scrub jays (\u003Cem\u003EAphelocoma californica\u003C\/em\u003E) than their green counterparts during hot, dry years when bright green leaves are scarce, they face higher mortality due to reduced heat tolerance. This trade-off demonstrates how climate and predation simultaneously drive evolutionary adaptation in natural populations, and this case study has been used to develop statistical models that predict future evolutionary outcomes. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742392614","gmt_created":"2025-03-19 13:56:54","changed":"1742392614","gmt_changed":"2025-03-19 13:56:54","alt":"A long-term field study of Californian stick insects (Timema cristinae) reveals how competing selection pressures shape their evolution. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","file":{"fid":"260399","name":"StroudRatcliff_Fig2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":611105,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig2.jpg?itok=cmUnaXaz"}},"676595":{"id":"676595","type":"image","title":"Founded in 1988, the Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE) is the world\u2019s longest-running ongoing evolution experiment now spanning 75,000 generations. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFounded in 1988,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00239-023-10095-3\u0022\u003Ethe Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE)\u003C\/a\u003E is the world\u2019s longest-running ongoing evolution experiment now spanning 75,000 generations. Twelve genetically identical populations of the bacterium\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EEscherichia coli\u003C\/em\u003E have been allowed to evolve under constant conditions, and have uncovered\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nature24287\u0022\u003Egeneral principles of evolutionary dynamics\u003C\/a\u003E, such\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.0803151105\u0022\u003E as how evolutionary novelties arise\u003C\/a\u003E. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742393278","gmt_created":"2025-03-19 14:07:58","changed":"1742393278","gmt_changed":"2025-03-19 14:07:58","alt":"Founded in 1988, the Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE) is the world\u2019s longest-running ongoing evolution experiment now spanning 75,000 generations. Twelve genetically identical populations of the bacterium Escherichia coli have been allowed to evolve under constant conditions, and have uncovered general principles of evolutionary dynamics, such as how evolutionary novelties arise. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","file":{"fid":"260402","name":"StroudRatcliff_Fig55.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig55.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig55.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":247886,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig55.jpg?itok=9VV-tQAF"}},"676596":{"id":"676596","type":"image","title":"Long-term studies at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado, USA, reveal that Drummond\u2019s rockcress (Boechera stricta), a North American wildflower, bloom almost 4 days earlier each decade since the 1970s. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSci)","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELong-term studies at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado, USA, reveal that\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1098\/rspb.2012.1051\u0022\u003EDrummond\u2019s rockcress (\u003Cem\u003EBoechera stricta\u003C\/em\u003E), a North American wildflower, now bloom almost 4 days earlier each decade since the 1970s\u003C\/a\u003E, responding to earlier snowmelt in the region. Long-term field studies are the key to understanding how species in the wild are evolving in response to climate change. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742393474","gmt_created":"2025-03-19 14:11:14","changed":"1742393474","gmt_changed":"2025-03-19 14:11:14","alt":"Long-term studies at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado, USA, reveal that Drummond\u2019s rockcress (Boechera stricta), a North American wildflower, now bloom almost 4 days earlier each decade since the 1970s, responding to earlier snowmelt in the region. Long-term field studies are the key to understanding how species in the wild are evolving in response to climate change. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","file":{"fid":"260403","name":"StroudRatcliff_Fig44.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig44.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig44.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":273664,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/19\/StroudRatcliff_Fig44.jpg?itok=iuGEubZG"}},"676597":{"id":"676597","type":"image","title":"A series of experiment spanning 40 years on small islands in the Bahamas have revealed how prey species, like small brown anole lizards (Anolis sagrei), evolve in response to predators. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1643\/CE-16-549\u0022\u003EA series of experiment spanning 40 years on small islands in the Bahamas\u003C\/a\u003E have revealed how prey species, like small brown anole lizards (\u003Cem\u003EAnolis sagrei\u003C\/em\u003E),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nature03039\u0022\u003Eevolve in response to predators\u003C\/a\u003E, like the larger curly-tailed lizard (\u003Cem\u003ELeiocepahlus carinatus\u003C\/em\u003E). Importantly, due to the long-term nature of this research,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1890\/0012-9615(2002)072[0383:POACAL]2.0.CO;2\u0022\u003Escientists were able to track ecosystem changes in response to this predator-driven rapid evolution\u003C\/a\u003E. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742393920","gmt_created":"2025-03-19 14:18:40","changed":"1742393920","gmt_changed":"2025-03-19 14:18:40","alt":"A series of experiment spanning 40 years on small islands in the Bahamas have revealed how prey species, like small brown anole lizards (Anolis sagrei), evolve in response to predators, like the larger curly-tailed lizard (Leiocepahlus carinatus). Importantly, due to the long-term nature of this research, scientists were able to track ecosystem changes in response to this predator-driven rapid evolution. (Illustration: Mark Belan\/ArtSciStudios)","file":{"fid":"260404","name":"JamesStroud_LizardImage.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/JamesStroud_LizardImage.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/JamesStroud_LizardImage.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":396641,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/19\/JamesStroud_LizardImage.jpg?itok=S7ODWT8q"}}},"media_ids":["676594","676593","676595","676596","676597"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/when-two-lizards-meet-first-time-scientists-witness-evolution-action","title":"When Two Lizards Meet for the First Time, Scientists Witness Evolution in Action"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/scientists-uncover-key-mechanism-evolution-whole-genome-duplication-drives-long-term-adaptation","title":"Scientists uncover key mechanism in evolution: Whole-genome duplication drives long-term adaptation"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"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\u003EWritten by Selena Langner\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681164":{"#nid":"681164","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Machine Learning Encoder Improves Weather Forecasting and Tsunami Prediction","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESuccessful test results of a new machine learning (ML) technique developed at Georgia Tech could help communities prepare for extreme weather and coastal flooding. The approach could also be applied to other models that predict how natural systems impact society.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ps789.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPhillip Si\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~pchen402\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPeng Chen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E developed Latent-EnSF, a technique that improves how ML models assimilate data to make predictions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn experiments predicting medium-range weather forecasting and shallow water wave propagation, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2409.00127\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELatent-EnSF\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E demonstrated higher accuracy, faster convergence, and greater efficiency than existing methods for sparse data assimilation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are currently involved in an NSF-funded project aimed at providing real-time information on extreme flooding events in Pinellas County, Florida,\u201d said Si, who studies computational science and engineering (CSE).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u0027re actively working on integrating Latent-EnSF into the system, which will facilitate accurate and synchronized modeling of natural disasters. This initiative aims to enhance community preparedness and safety measures in response to flooding risks.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELatent-EnSF outperformed three comparable models in assimilation speed, accuracy, and efficiency in shallow water wave propagation experiments. These tests show models can make better and faster predictions of coastal flood waves, tides, and tsunamis.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn experiments on medium-range weather forecasting, Latent-EnSF surpassed the same three control models in accuracy, convergence, and time. Additionally, this test demonstrated Latent-EnSF\u0027s scalability compared to other methods.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese promising results support using ML models to simulate climate, weather, and other complex systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETraditionally, such studies require employment of large, energy-intensive supercomputers. However, advances like Latent-EnSF are making smaller, more efficient ML models feasible for these purposes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech team mentioned this comparison in its paper. It takes hours for the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts computer to run its simulations. Conversely, the ML model FourCastNet calculated the same forecast in seconds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cResolution, complexity, and data-diversity will continue to increase into the future,\u201d said Chen, an assistant professor in the School of CSE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTo keep pace with this trend, we believe that ML models and ML-based data assimilation methods will become indispensable for studying large-scale complex systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData assimilation is the process by which models continuously ingest new, real-world data to update predictions. This data is often sparse, meaning it is limited, incomplete, or unevenly distributed over time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELatent-EnSF builds on the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2309.00983\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnsemble Filter Scores (EnSF) model\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E developed by Florida State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnSF\u2019s strength is that it assimilates data with many features and unpredictable relationships between data points. However, integrating sparse data leads to lost information and knowledge gaps in the model. Also, such large models may stop learning entirely from small amounts of sparse data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers employ two variational autoencoders (VAEs) in Latent-EnSF to help ML models integrate and use real-world data. The VAEs encode sparse data and predictive models together in the same space to assimilate data more accurately and efficiently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIntegrating models with new methods, like Latent-EnSF, accelerates data assimilation. Producing accurate predictions more quickly during real-world crises could save lives and property for communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.stpetersburg.usf.edu\/news\/2024\/flooding-cris-hazard-app-.aspx\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUniversity of South Florida Researchers Track Flooding in Coastal Communities During Hurricanes Helene and Milton\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo share Latent-EnSF to the broader research community, Chen and Si presented their paper at the SIAM Conference on Computational Science and Engineering (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/conferences-events\/siam-conferences\/cse25\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECSE25\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E). The Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESIAM\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E) organized CSE25, held March 3-7 in Fort Worth, Texas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChen was one of ten School of CSE faculty members who presented research at CSE25, representing one-third of the School\u2019s faculty body. Latent-EnSF was one of 15 papers by School of CSE authors and one of 23 Georgia Tech papers presented at the conference.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe pair will also present Latent-EnSF at the upcoming International Conference on Learning Representations (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iclr.cc\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EICLR 2025\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E). Occurring April 24-28 in Singapore, ICLR is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious conferences dedicated to artificial intelligence research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe hope to bring attention to experts and domain scientists the exciting area of ML-based data assimilation by presenting our paper,\u201d Chen said. \u201cOur work offers a new solution to address some of the key shortcomings in the area for broader applications.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESuccessful test results of a new machine learning (ML) technique developed at Georgia Tech could help communities prepare for extreme weather and coastal flooding. The approach could also be applied to other models that predict how natural systems impact society.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ps789.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPhillip Si\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~pchen402\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPeng Chen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E developed Latent-EnSF, a technique that improves how ML models assimilate data to make predictions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn experiments predicting medium-range weather forecasting and shallow water wave propagation, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2409.00127\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELatent-EnSF\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E demonstrated higher accuracy, faster convergence, and greater efficiency than existing methods for sparse data assimilation.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Ph.D. student Phillip Si and Assistant Professor Peng Chen developed Latent-EnSF, a technique that improves how ML models assimilate data to make predictions."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-03-14 17:35:04","changed_gmt":"2025-03-26 01:19:03","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-03-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676555":{"id":"676555","type":"image","title":"Latent-EnSF-2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1741973802","gmt_created":"2025-03-14 17:36:42","changed":"1741973802","gmt_changed":"2025-03-14 17:36:42","alt":"Phillip Si and Peng Chen","file":{"fid":"260359","name":"Latent-EnSF-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/14\/Latent-EnSF-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/14\/Latent-EnSF-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":134191,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/14\/Latent-EnSF-2.jpg?itok=oOKjqW0A"}},"676556":{"id":"676556","type":"image","title":"Latent-EnSF-1.2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1741973828","gmt_created":"2025-03-14 17:37:08","changed":"1741973828","gmt_changed":"2025-03-14 17:37:08","alt":"Phillip Si and Peng Chen","file":{"fid":"260360","name":"Latent-EnSF-1.2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/14\/Latent-EnSF-1.2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/14\/Latent-EnSF-1.2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":46200,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/14\/Latent-EnSF-1.2.jpg?itok=tepM_Qab"}}},"media_ids":["676555","676556"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/machine-learning-encoder-improves-weather-forecasting-and-tsunami-prediction","title":"Machine Learning Encoder Improves Weather Forecasting and Tsunami Prediction"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"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":"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":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"}],"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":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"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":""}},"681151":{"#nid":"681151","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Organization Spotlight: ElectrifyGT","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EElectrifyGT is at the forefront of Georgia Tech\u2019s push for a cleaner future.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a student-led consulting organization, ElectrifyGT focuses on decarbonization strategies, aiming to replace fossil fuel or carbon-intensive campus infrastructure with electric alternatives.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn alignment with Georgia Tech\u2019s ambitious goal to reach \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-climate-action-plan\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Enet-zero emissions by 2050\u003C\/a\u003E, ElectrifyGT receives data from Institute departments and administrators, performing financial and carbon analyses to develop informed proposals.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re like a consulting group, but our only client is Georgia Tech,\u201d Khim Viravan, second-year electrical engineering major and president of ElectrifyGT, explained. \u201cOur mission is to raise the student body\u2019s awareness of electrification and work toward obtaining 100% campus electrification.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo achieve this, ElectrifyGT operates as a project-based organization, enabling members to work as consultants.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPast projects include securing two \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/06\/03\/georgia-tech-police-department-energizes-patrol-fleet-electric-suvs-cloned\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFord Mustang Mach-E SUVs for the Georgia Tech Police D\u003C\/a\u003Eepartment as part of an ongoing effort to electrify campus fleets. In 2023, they submitted a Holland Plant electrification paper that won the Carbon Reduction Challenge for the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business in the Scheller College of Business.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis semester, ElectrifyGT has five project teams focusing on fleet electrification analysis, regenerative elevators, building air conditioning efficiency, anaerobic digestion, and supercritical carbon dioxide mask sterilization.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe organization also engages its members by inviting guest speakers. In October, ElectrifyGT hosted Chad Bednar, Delta\u0027s senior global sustainability manager, to discuss the sustainability industry. This semester, they plan to host three speakers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen asked about the future of ElectrifyGT, Viravan discussed her hopes to scale their efforts beyond Georgia Tech\u2019s campus.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is our fourth year on campus, so we are a relatively new, smaller organization. I want to see member growth to expand the number of projects we do, but also to consult beyond campus to address the needs of the Atlanta metro area.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EElectrifyGT hosts its general body meetings every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 200, Scheller College of Business.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECheck out the organization on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.campuslabs.com\/engage\/organization\/electrify-gt\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEngage\u003C\/a\u003E and at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/electrify_gt\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E@electrify_gt\u003C\/a\u003E on Instagram to learn more.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EElectrifyGT is at the forefront of Georgia Tech\u2019s push for a cleaner future.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"ElectrifyGT is at the forefront of Georgia Tech\u2019s push for a cleaner future.  "}],"uid":"36652","created_gmt":"2025-03-13 16:37:03","changed_gmt":"2025-03-24 14:40:06","author":"erussell34","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-03-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676543":{"id":"676543","type":"image","title":"thumbnail_IMG_2917.jpg","body":null,"created":"1741883845","gmt_created":"2025-03-13 16:37:25","changed":"1741883845","gmt_changed":"2025-03-13 16:37:25","alt":"Members of ElectrifyGT visiting Delta.","file":{"fid":"260345","name":"thumbnail_IMG_2917.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/13\/thumbnail_IMG_2917.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/13\/thumbnail_IMG_2917.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":491957,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/13\/thumbnail_IMG_2917.jpg?itok=uqVBcu0I"}}},"media_ids":["676543"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: stucomm@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EEmily Russell\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680724":{"#nid":"680724","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How Earth\u0027s Early Cycles Shaped the Chemistry of Life","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA new study explores how complex chemical mixtures change under shifting environmental conditions, shedding light on the prebiotic processes that may have led to life on Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELed by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/loren-williams\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELoren Williams\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (Georgia Institute of Technology) and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mfp-lab.com\/copy-of-team\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMoran Frenkel-Pinter\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41557-025-01734-x\u0022\u003Epublished\u003C\/a\u003E in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Chemistry,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ethe team\u2019s paper investigates how chemical mixtures evolve over time, offering new insights into the origins of biological complexity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOur research applies concepts from evolutionary biology to chemistry,\u201d explains Williams, a\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eprofessor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/loren-williams\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe know that everything in biology can be reduced to chemistry, but the idea of this paper is that in the right conditions, chemistry can evolve, too. We call this chemical evolution.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile much research has focused on individual chemical reactions that could lead to biological molecules, this study establishes an experimental model to explore how entire chemical systems evolve when exposed to environmental changes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cChemical evolution is chemistry that keeps changing and doing new things,\u201d Williams explains. \u201cIt\u2019s unending chemical change, but with exploration of new chemical spaces. We wondered if we could set up a system that does that without introducing new molecules ourselves \u2014 instead we had the system oscillate between wet and dry conditions.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn nature, these systems might look like a landscape where water condenses, and then dries out, over and over again \u2014 conditions that arise naturally from the day-night cycles of our planet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom simple molecules to complex systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study identified three key findings \u2014 chemical systems can continuously evolve without reaching equilibrium, avoid uncontrolled complexity through selective chemical pathways, and exhibit synchronized population dynamics among different molecular species. This suggests that environmental factors played a key role in shaping the molecular complexity needed for life to emerge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis research offers a new perspective on how molecular evolution might have unfolded on early Earth,\u201d says Frenkel-Pinter, assistant professor in the Institute of Chemistry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. \u201cBy demonstrating that chemical systems can self-organize and evolve in structured ways, we provide experimental evidence that may help bridge the gap between prebiotic chemistry and the emergence of biological molecules.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBeyond its relevance to origins-of-life research, the study\u2019s findings may have broader applications in synthetic biology and nanotechnology. Controlled chemical evolution could be harnessed to design new molecular systems with specific properties, potentially leading to innovations in materials science, drug development, and biotechnology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research is shared jointly with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.huji.ac.il\/news\/how-earths-early-cycles-shaped-chemistry-life\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Enewsroom\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new study explores how complex chemical mixtures change under shifting environmental conditions, shedding light on the prebiotic processes that may have led to life on Earth.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new study explores how complex chemical mixtures change under shifting environmental conditions, shedding light on the prebiotic processes that may have led to life on Earth."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-02-25 20:40:13","changed_gmt":"2025-03-04 19:02:27","author":"sperrin6","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":{"676392":{"id":"676392","type":"image","title":"In the Painted Desert of Northern Arizona (shown here in a palette of purples), wet-dry cycling has contributed to the formation of the colorful layers visible in the landscape. (Credit: USGS)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the Painted Desert of Northern Arizona (shown here in a palette of purples), wet-dry cycling has contributed to the formation of the colorful layers visible in the landscape. (Credit: USGS)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740516020","gmt_created":"2025-02-25 20:40:20","changed":"1740516020","gmt_changed":"2025-02-25 20:40:20","alt":"In the Painted Desert of Northern Arizona (shown here in a palette of purples), wet-dry cycling has contributed to the formation of the colorful layers visible in the landscape. (Credit: USGS)","file":{"fid":"260176","name":"usgs-PqP_d9duxpk-unsplash.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/25\/usgs-PqP_d9duxpk-unsplash.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/25\/usgs-PqP_d9duxpk-unsplash.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7061101,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/25\/usgs-PqP_d9duxpk-unsplash.jpg?itok=TM5R0MHV"}}},"media_ids":["676392"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/en.huji.ac.il\/news\/how-earths-early-cycles-shaped-chemistry-life","title":"The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: How Earth\u0027s Early Cycles Shaped the Chemistry of Life"}],"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":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"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\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680745":{"#nid":"680745","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Using Hemp in Building Insulation Could Make Structures Greener, Create Jobs, and Be a Profitable Industry","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s a fairly niche product now, but a new study from Georgia Tech engineers suggests insulation made from hemp fibers could be a viable industry in the U.S., creating jobs, a manufacturing base, and greener homes and buildings at the same time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaking the switch could slash the impact of one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions: Buildings account for roughly 1\/5 of emissions globally. By some estimates, using hemp-based products would reduce the environmental impact of insulation by 90% or more.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers\u2019 work, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jclepro.2025.144952\u0022\u003Ereported this month in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Cleaner Production\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, is one of the first studies to evaluate the potential for scaling up U.S. production and availability of hemp-based insulation products.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/using-hemp-building-insulation-could-make-structures-greener-create-jobs-and-be\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead about their findings 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\u003ECEE researchers\u2019 analysis outlines path to a U.S. construction market for hemp-based fibers, which are already used for clothing and biodegradable plastics.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"CEE researchers\u2019 analysis outlines path to a U.S. construction market for hemp-based fibers, which are already used for clothing and biodegradable plastics."}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2025-02-26 17:43:27","changed_gmt":"2025-02-27 15:18:01","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-27T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676407":{"id":"676407","type":"image","title":"Hemp-Insulation-Analysis-Farmer-Menon-Bozeman-Ramshankar-9881-h.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom left, Kelly Farmer, Akanksha Menon, Joe Bozeman, and Arjun Ramshankar with a package of traditional fiberglass insulation and a rack holding samples of potential hemp-based insulation materials created by graduate student Elyssa Ferguson in Menon\u0027s lab. The team has published an analysis outlining a path toward a viable hemp-based building insulation market in the U.S. Hemp insulation can be used in place of traditional fiberglass batt insulation and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, but hemp materials currently cost twice as much. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740591818","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 17:43:38","changed":"1740669465","gmt_changed":"2025-02-27 15:17:45","alt":"Four researchers standing in a lab with a large roll of fiberglass insulation and a wooden rack holding small bags of hemp fiber-based insulation materials. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)","file":{"fid":"260191","name":"Hemp-Insulation-Analysis-Farmer-Menon-Bozeman-Ramshankar-9881-h.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/Hemp-Insulation-Analysis-Farmer-Menon-Bozeman-Ramshankar-9881-h.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/Hemp-Insulation-Analysis-Farmer-Menon-Bozeman-Ramshankar-9881-h.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1324395,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/Hemp-Insulation-Analysis-Farmer-Menon-Bozeman-Ramshankar-9881-h.jpg?itok=El674a7d"}}},"media_ids":["676407"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"191939","name":"Joe Bozeman"},{"id":"193544","name":"Akanksha Menon"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"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\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":""}},"680735":{"#nid":"680735","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Algorithms Developed at Georgia Tech are Lunar Bound","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the past five years, five lunar landers have launched into space, marking a series of first successful landings in decades. The future will see more of these type of missions, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENASA\u2019s Artemis program\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and various private ventures. These missions need reliable and quick navigation abilities to successfully complete missions, especially if ground stations on Earth are overburdened or disconnected.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/seal.ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpace Exploration and Analysis Laboratory\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (SEAL) has developed new algorithms that are headed to the Moon, as part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.intuitivemachines.com\/im-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntuitive Machine\u2019s\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E IM-2 mission. The mission is sending a Nova-C class lunar lander named Athena to the Moon\u2019s south pole region to test technologies and collect data that aim to enable future exploration. The mission is part of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercial-lunar-payload-services\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENASA\u2019s Commercial Lunar Payload Services\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (CLPS) initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESEAL\u2019s Space Odyssey\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESEAL, led by AE professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/john-christian\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJohn Christian\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, collaborated with Intuitive Machines to develop algorithms to guide Athena to the Shackleton crater: a region known for its limited sunlight and cold temperatures. In coordination with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.spacex.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpaceX\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, launch of the company\u2019s IM-2 mission is targeted for a multi-day launch window that opens no earlier than February 26 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAthena will transport NASA\u0027s\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/polar-resources-ice-mining-experiment-1-prime-1\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPRIME-1\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1) which includes two instruments: a drill and spectrometer. The Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrain (TRIDENT) is designed to drill up to three feet of lunar surface to extract soil, while the mass spectrometer (MSOLO) will measure the amount of ice in the soil samples.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter launch, Athena will separate from the rocket and begin a roughly five-to-four-day cruise to the Moon\u2019s orbit. The lander will orbit the Moon for approximately three to 1.5 days before its descent to the south pole.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Fall 2022, Research Engineer \u003Cstrong\u003EAva Thrasher\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E(AE 2022, M.S. AE 2024)\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ebegan working on IM-2, developing new algorithms to guide Athena to the Shackleton crater using optical terrain relative navigation (TRN). Her approach looked at developing a crater detection algorithm (CDA) using image processing techniques that capture crater center locations on the Moon which are then used to determine Athena\u0027s position estimations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen, she developed a crater identification algorithm (CIA) to match craters found in the image to a catalog of known lunar craters. By using CDA and CIA in tandem, Athena is able to estimate its location and orientation with a single photo, autonomously, and in real-time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe wanted to strike a balance between creating something that would be done quickly on board, but also something that was reliable,\u201d she explained. \u201cWe ended up using simple crater geometry and knowledge of the sun angle to render what we expect a crater to look like in the image.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CDA finds craters by calculating a similarity score between the image and the rendered crater at each image pixel point. This process, also known as template matching, marks crater centers at points of very high similarity. CIA then uses these crater center locations to match them with known craters in a catalog. By matching pixel locations in an image to known three-dimensional positions on the Moon, the spacecraft is able to produce an estimation of its position.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter two years of research and testing, Thrasher, Christian, and the Intuitive Machines team successfully demonstrated the CDA and CIA on synthetic imagery and Thrasher handed off the algorithms to Intuitive Machines to convert them into flight software for Athena.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe first got involved with optical navigation (OPNAV) research after she took AE 4342: Senior Design with Prof. Christian as an undergraduate student. \u201cI found optical navigation to be really interesting. I liked the idea of being able to figure out where you are and how you\u2019re moving in real-time based on a picture,\u201d she said. In Fall 2022, she started her first graduate semester at Tech and was a new member of SEAL, where she quickly began demonstrating the idea of detecting craters and prototyping the CDA and CIA programmed into Athena. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter she graduated with her master\u2019s degree in aerospace engineering in May 2024, \u0026nbsp;she loved what she did so much, that she decided to stay and work as a full-time research engineer in SEAL. Now, she\u2019s gearing up to see her work make its way to the Moon.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u0027s been really exciting and humbling to contribute to the massive task of putting a lander on the Moon. I never really appreciated the scale of work and collaboration needed to make it happen until I was lucky enough to be a part of it. I\u0027ll certainly be watching the launch and tracking the mission with great anticipation of both the engineering and scientific results,\u201d said Thrasher.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIM-1 Makes History\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs part of a multi-year collaboration, Christian helped \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ae.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/02\/georgia-tech-algorithm-headed-moon\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Edevelop a key navigation algorithm for Intuitive Machines\u2019 first space mission (IM-1\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E) which launched a Nova-C lunar lander named Odysseus to the Malapert A crater on the Moon\u2019s south pole region; about 11 miles away from IM-2\u2019s targeted Shackleton crater.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IM-1 mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on February 15, 2024 and soft-landed on the Moon on February 22, 2024---making Odysseus the first U.S. lunar landing since the Apollo program and the first-ever successful commercial lunar landing. Odysseus had a rougher-than-expected soft landing due to an anomaly with the altimeter that was supposed to provide insight into the lander\u2019s height above the lunar surface. In the absence of these altimeter measurements, Odysseus relied critically on the visual odometry technique that was jointly developed by Christian and Intuitive Machines.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite these challenges, Odysseus captured images of the Moon during landing and operated on the lunar surface for 144 hours before entering standby mode.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProf. Christian and SEAL have more projects on the horizon to develop new technologies for exploring our Moon, other planets, asteroids, and the solar system. These technologies will enable future scientific missions to safely explore challenging destinations and answer scientific questions that were impossible with yesterday\u2019s technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\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\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/seal.ae.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpace Exploration and Analysis Laboratory\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (SEAL) has developed new algorithms that are headed to the Moon, as part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.intuitivemachines.com\/im-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntuitive Machine\u2019s\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E IM-2 mission. The mission is sending a Nova-C class lunar lander named Athena to the Moon\u2019s south pole region to test technologies and collect data that aim to enable future exploration. The mission is part of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercial-lunar-payload-services\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENASA\u2019s Commercial Lunar Payload Services\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (CLPS) initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESEAL, led by Professor \u003Cstrong\u003EJohn Christian\u003C\/strong\u003E, collaborated with Intuitive Machines to develop algorithms to guide Athena to the Shackleton crater: a region known for its limited sunlight and cold temperatures. Research Engineer \u003Cstrong\u003EAva Thrasher\u003C\/strong\u003E (AE 2022, M.S. AE 2024) led Georgia Tech\u0027s SEAL team on developing the algorithms used for Athena\u0027s flight software.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"AE researchers have developed new algorithms to help Intuitive Machine\u2019s lunar lander find water ice on the Moon.  "}],"uid":"34736","created_gmt":"2025-02-26 16:19:31","changed_gmt":"2025-02-26 16:27:39","author":"Kelsey Gulledge","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":{"676397":{"id":"676397","type":"image","title":"54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIntuitive Machines\u0027 IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, in the company\u0027s Lunar Production and Operations Center. Credit: Intuitive Machines\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\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\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1740586783","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 16:19:43","changed":"1740586783","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 16:19:43","alt":"Intuitive Machines\u0027 IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, in the company\u0027s Lunar Production and Operations Center. Credit: Intuitive Machines","file":{"fid":"260181","name":"54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5213520,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/54284511327_9ca21c7337_o.jpg?itok=-2RtZOQq"}},"676398":{"id":"676398","type":"image","title":"Christian-John.jpg","body":null,"created":"1740586840","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 16:20:40","changed":"1740586840","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 16:20:40","alt":"Headshot of John Christian, AE School Professor","file":{"fid":"260182","name":"Christian-John.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/Christian-John.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/Christian-John.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1385478,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/Christian-John.jpg?itok=E0GH0VXB"}},"676399":{"id":"676399","type":"image","title":"HeadShotThrasher.JPG","body":null,"created":"1740586878","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 16:21:18","changed":"1740586878","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 16:21:18","alt":"Headshot of Ava Thrasher, AE School alumna and research engineer","file":{"fid":"260183","name":"HeadShotThrasher.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/HeadShotThrasher.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/HeadShotThrasher.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":630760,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/HeadShotThrasher.JPG?itok=P_w4muA9"}},"676401":{"id":"676401","type":"image","title":"AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIllustration of the steps used to detect and identify craters to ultimately determine the vehicles state estimation. Credit: Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1740587067","gmt_created":"2025-02-26 16:24:27","changed":"1740587067","gmt_changed":"2025-02-26 16:24:27","alt":"Illustration of the steps used to detect and identify craters to ultimately determine the vehicles state estimation. Credit: Georgia Tech ","file":{"fid":"260185","name":"AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/26\/AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png","mime":"image\/png","size":201361,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/26\/AAS_2024_CraterDetection_final-2.png?itok=neltaeuF"}}},"media_ids":["676397","676398","676399","676401"],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKelsey Gulledge\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["kelsey.gulledge@aerospace.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680641":{"#nid":"680641","#data":{"type":"news","title":"LA Fires Trigger Temporary Spike in Airborne Lead Levels","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the Los Angeles fires quickly spread starting Jan. 7, with wind gusts approaching 100 mph, scientists observed a 110-fold rise in airborne lead levels. This spike had receded by Jan. 11.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fires enabled the first real-time data on airborne lead, thanks to a pioneering air quality measurement network known as Atmospheric Science and Chemistry (ASCENT), a nationwide initiative funded by the National Science Foundation, operating in 12 sites across the U.S. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ascent.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EASCENT\u003C\/a\u003E measured tiny particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) \u2014 small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream. Unlike typical wildfires that burn natural materials such as grass and trees, the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires burned through infrastructures like homes, including painted surfaces, pipes, vehicles, plastics, and electronic equipment. This raised concerns about the toxicity of these particles in the air, especially since many of the buildings were constructed before 1978, when lead paint was still commonly used.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELead is a toxic air contaminant that poses significant health risks, particularly for children, who are more vulnerable to its neurodevelopmental effects. While chronic lead exposure is well-documented, the effects of short-term spikes, like those recorded during these fires, are less understood.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur work through ASCENT,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/nga-lee-sally-ng\u0022\u003ESally Ng\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u2019s Love Family Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the network\u2019s principal investigator, \u201chas provided us with new insights into the air we breathe, with unprecedented levels of detail and time resolution. Beyond the mass concentration of PM2.5 that is typically measured, we are now able to detect a wide range of chemical components in the aerosols in real time, to better understand and evaluate to what extent one is exposed to harmful pollutants.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInvestigators used several instruments to obtain hourly measurements at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the wildfires.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur findings showcased the importance of having real-time measurements of the chemical species that comprise particulate matter,\u201d said California Institute of Technology Ph.D. candidate in atmospheric chemistry and ASPIRE researcher Haroula Baliaka. \u201cDuring the LA fires, we provided the public with timely information about what they were breathing and how air quality evolved in the days that followed.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis research has been published in the CDC\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/74\/wr\/mm7405a4.htm?s_cid=mm7405a4_w\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Report\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs the Los Angeles fires quickly spread starting Jan. 7 and wind gusts approached 100 mph, scientists observed a 110-fold rise in airborne lead levels. This spike had receded by Jan. 11.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The fires enabled the first real-time data on airborne lead, thanks to a pioneering air quality measurement network."}],"uid":"36573","created_gmt":"2025-02-20 19:46:27","changed_gmt":"2025-02-24 16:37:13","author":"aprendiville3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-20T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-20T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676361":{"id":"676361","type":"image","title":"The Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT) site collects real-time data during the Los Angeles wildfires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT) site collects real-time data during the Los Angeles wildfires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740151674","gmt_created":"2025-02-21 15:27:54","changed":"1740152990","gmt_changed":"2025-02-21 15:49:50","alt":"The Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT) site collects real-time data during the Los Angeles wildfires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","file":{"fid":"260134","name":"WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-06-at-08.56.50.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-06-at-08.56.50.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-06-at-08.56.50.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":146018,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-06-at-08.56.50.jpeg?itok=BFTgfKQ1"}},"676360":{"id":"676360","type":"image","title":"Investigators used measurements recorded hourly at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","body":"\u003Cp\u003EInvestigators used measurements recorded hourly at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740151574","gmt_created":"2025-02-21 15:26:14","changed":"1740151574","gmt_changed":"2025-02-21 15:26:14","alt":"Investigators used measurements recorded hourly at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","file":{"fid":"260133","name":"403755238_885266183265183_29513148794895043_n--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/403755238_885266183265183_29513148794895043_n--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/403755238_885266183265183_29513148794895043_n--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":138391,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/21\/403755238_885266183265183_29513148794895043_n--1-.jpg?itok=tcYL7Vsk"}},"676362":{"id":"676362","type":"image","title":"The ASCENT facility in Pico Rivera is equipped with a range of aerosol measurement instruments, including the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) for non-refractory aerosols, Xact for detecting trace metals, Aethalometer for assessing black\/brown c","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe ASCENT facility in Pico Rivera is equipped with a range of aerosol measurement instruments, including the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) for non-refractory aerosols, Xact for detecting trace metals, Aethalometer for assessing black\/brown carbon, and the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) to analyze aerosol size distribution and concentration. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740151710","gmt_created":"2025-02-21 15:28:30","changed":"1740151710","gmt_changed":"2025-02-21 15:28:30","alt":"The ASCENT facility in Pico Rivera is equipped with a range of aerosol measurement instruments, including the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) for non-refractory aerosols, Xact for detecting trace metals, Aethalometer for assessing black\/brown carbon, and the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) to analyze aerosol size distribution and concentration. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","file":{"fid":"260135","name":"WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-26-at-17.50.04.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-26-at-17.50.04.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-26-at-17.50.04.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":205519,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-26-at-17.50.04.jpeg?itok=rH_i0D2e"}}},"media_ids":["676361","676360","676362"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[],"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: aprendiville@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAngela Barajas Prendiville\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDirector, Media Relations\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680524":{"#nid":"680524","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Research Targets \u2018Forever Chemicals\u2019 in Drinking Water","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESomeday, your drinking water could be completely free of toxic \u201cforever chemicals.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese chemicals, called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are found in common household items like makeup, nonstick cookware, dental floss, batteries, and food packaging. PFAS permeate the soil, water, food, and air, and they can remain in the environment for millennia. Once inside the human body, PFAS can persist for years, suppressing the immune system and increasing cancer risk.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers, armed with a cutting-edge machine learning (ML) model, are spearheading a multi-university initiative. Their goal? To design a better membrane that efficiently removes PFAS from drinking water, a significant source of human exposure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMore than \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/forever-chemicals-are-widespread-in-u-s-drinking-water\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E200 million Americans\u003C\/a\u003E in all 50 states are affected by PFAS in drinking water, with 1,400 communities having levels above health experts\u2019 safety thresholds,\u201d noted the study\u2019s principal investigator \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/yongsheng-chen\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYongsheng Chen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Bonnie W. and Charles W. Moorman IV Professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. Chen also directs the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newcenter.ce.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENutrients, Energy, and Water Center for Agriculture Technology\u003C\/a\u003E, or NEW Center. \u201cOur research aims to provide a scalable, efficient, and sustainable solution for mitigating these toxic chemicals\u2019 impact on human health and the environment.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe resulting work, funded with over $10 million in multiyear grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Science Foundation, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-55320-9\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Erecently published\u003C\/a\u003E in \u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESewage Treatment Limitations\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EConventional water treatment processes are ineffective at removing PFAS. Too often, traditional cleansing methods, such as using chlorine to kill pathogens in water, create harmful byproducts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSolving one problem creates another problem,\u201d said Chen.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe has already used ML and artificial intelligence in precision agriculture to monitor nutrient levels in plants and insists that tackling PFAS removal similarly requires new approaches. Rather than treating an entire body of water, Chen\u2019s team first separated PFAS from the water stream. Success depended on finding the right membrane material to isolate the chemicals in the water.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChen relied on a team of 10 Ph.D. students and nine research scientists to perform the ML modeling. In addition to Georgia Tech, two other schools contributed people and laboratory expertise. The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM) validated the model with molecular simulations, while Arizona State University (ASU) trained it using data from scientific literature and their lab.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cApplying machine learning to membrane separation represents an exciting frontier for environmental engineering,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/search.asu.edu\/profile\/5134153\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETiezheng Tong\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor of environmental engineering in ASU\u2019s School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is another step in tackling PFAS pollution, a widespread problem that has recently received significant public attention due to PFAS\u2019 toxic nature and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/pfas\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ethe recent EPA ruling on PFAS in drinking water\u003C\/a\u003E, he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy integrating with molecular simulation tools, we can better understand PFAS transport across nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, pushing the boundary of fundamental science relating to membrane separation,\u201d Tong said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EML Accelerates Membrane-Material Discoveries\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EUsing ML modeling significantly sped up the discovery process. For instance, one Ph.D. student in Chen\u2019s lab used trial and error over two years to pinpoint one promising membrane. Machine learning modeling allowed the team to find eight membrane candidates 10 to 20 times faster, reducing discovery time from years to a few months.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur molecular dynamics simulations reveal that electrostatic interactions, size exclusion, and dehydration play critical roles in governing the transport of PFAS molecules across polyamide membranes,\u201d \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/directory.engr.wisc.edu\/me\/Faculty\/Li_Ying\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EYing Li\u003C\/a\u003E explained. Li is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at UWM. \u201cThese calculations indicate that electrostatic interactions dominate PFAS rejection, with charged functional groups significantly influencing transport behavior. The simulation results provide fundamental insights that align with ML predictions, highlighting the key molecular determinants of PFAS removal efficiency.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAddressing PFAS Exposure in Agriculture\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBy addressing PFAS contamination, this research could also benefit the agriculture industry, which depends on fertilizer sourced from water treatment plants. Wastewater biosolids are processed into fertilizer, offering farmers and ranchers a cheaper alternative to chemical fertilizers. Unfortunately, PFAS-tainted fertilizers from sewage sludge have contaminated significant amounts of land and livestock. Industry groups \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ewg.org\/news-insights\/news\/2025\/01\/forever-chemicals-sludge-may-taint-nearly-70-million-farmland-acres\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eestimate\u003C\/a\u003E that almost 70 million acres of U.S. farmland could be contaminated by these forever chemicals.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy funding this research, the USDA hopes that an effective membrane will help the United States reclaim this crucial resource.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSynthesizing a very smart membrane to get rid of PFAS also allows us to recover the fertilizer from municipal wastewater treatment plants,\u201d Chen said. \u201cSuch a membrane could enable us to get rid of things we don\u2019t want and keep the things we need, so we can keep the water for irrigation or other applications.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEliminating PFAS in fertilizers also could help address the mismatch of food and water demand in urban versus rural areas since 80% of the demand resides in cities. PFAS removal could directly support urban area resource recovery and food production.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur goal is achieving a circular economy where materials never become waste, and nature is regenerated,\u201d Chen said.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat\u2019s Next\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe team will fine-tune the model and add more data to improve its training features. Chen will synthesize membranes in his lab to further test the model\u0027s PFAS removal predictions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, scientists have found ways to remove long chains of PFAS, but the shorter chains of these chemicals persist, explained Chen.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we can better understand the mechanism, we\u2019ll be able to design a good material membrane to get rid of all PFAS. That could be game-changing.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u2014 By Anne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThis work is partially supported by the NSF (Award Nos. 2112533, 2427299, 2345543, Y.C.; 2448130, T.T.; and 2345542, Y.L.).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EY.C. acknowledges the financial support by the USDA (Award No.2018\u221268011-28371), NSF-USDA (Award No. 2020-67021-31526), and EPA (Award No. 840080010).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ET.T. acknowledges the support of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Hatch Project COL00799, accession 1022591).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EY.L. acknowledges the financial support by the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI), funded by the US DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Advanced Manufacturing Office, under Funding Opportunity announcement Number DE-FOA-0001905, through a subcontract to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Yongsheng Chen leads a multi-university team using machine learning to discover PFAS-removing membranes.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Professor Yongsheng Chen leads a multi-university team using machine learning to discover PFAS-removing membranes."}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2025-02-17 00:52:24","changed_gmt":"2025-02-17 00:57:23","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676298":{"id":"676298","type":"image","title":"Yongsheng Chen","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYongsheng Chen, Bonnie W. and Charles W. Moorman IV Professor in environmental engineering at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1739751941","gmt_created":"2025-02-17 00:25:41","changed":"1739752209","gmt_changed":"2025-02-17 00:30:09","alt":"Yongsheng Chen","file":{"fid":"260055","name":"Yongsheng Chen 1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/16\/Yongsheng%20Chen%201.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/16\/Yongsheng%20Chen%201.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":174300,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/16\/Yongsheng%20Chen%201.jpg?itok=-sQvCwu-"}},"676297":{"id":"676297","type":"image","title":"Ying Li","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYing Li, associate professor of mechanical engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1739751222","gmt_created":"2025-02-17 00:13:42","changed":"1739751397","gmt_changed":"2025-02-17 00:16:37","alt":"Ying Li","file":{"fid":"260054","name":"Li-Ying_F6A9535.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/16\/Li-Ying_F6A9535.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/16\/Li-Ying_F6A9535.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1517044,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/16\/Li-Ying_F6A9535.jpg?itok=n18Gz3VA"}},"676296":{"id":"676296","type":"image","title":"Tiezheng Tong","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETiezheng Tong, associate professor of environmental engineering at Arizona State University\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1739750867","gmt_created":"2025-02-17 00:07:47","changed":"1739751036","gmt_changed":"2025-02-17 00:10:36","alt":"Tiezheng Tong","file":{"fid":"260053","name":"NewFacultyHeadshots-1200x1200-Tiezheng-Tong-1024x1024.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/16\/NewFacultyHeadshots-1200x1200-Tiezheng-Tong-1024x1024.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/16\/NewFacultyHeadshots-1200x1200-Tiezheng-Tong-1024x1024.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":114014,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/16\/NewFacultyHeadshots-1200x1200-Tiezheng-Tong-1024x1024.jpg?itok=KPieisE_"}}},"media_ids":["676298","676297","676296"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"},{"id":"39541","name":"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":"\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith | Director of Research Communications\u003Cbr\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["swundersmith3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675459":{"#nid":"675459","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Winners of the Seed Grant Challenge for Climate Solutions Announced","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENine early-career professors will pursue cutting-edge climate mitigation research during the upcoming year as part of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/seibbissclimatechallenge\u0022\u003ESeed Grant Challenge for Climate Solutions\u003C\/a\u003E created by\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (SEI) and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/sustainability\u0022\u003EBrook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/a\u003E (BBISS).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELaunched in April during the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/2024-frontiers-science-climate-action\u0022\u003EFrontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium\u003C\/a\u003E, the Challenge \u201cprovides seed funding for climate mitigation and adaptation research led by ambitious early-career faculty eager to work across disciplines,\u201d explains\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/toktay\/index.html\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBeril Toktay\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Regents\u2019 Professor and interim executive director of BBISS.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOne goal of the Challenge is to facilitate research collaboration across the Institute. \u201cTransitioning to a sustainable, clean energy system requires concerted collaboration across diverse disciplines,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/timothy-charles-lieuwen\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Regents\u2019 Professor,\u0026nbsp;David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair, and executive director of SEI. \u201cInitiatives like this are instrumental in paving the way for such groundbreaking interdisciplinary work.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe four selected proposals include researchers from five different schools and two centers, and will investigate biodiversity, coral reef resilience, lithium-ion battery recycling, and coastal resilience. \u201cI am pleased with the range of proposals submitted by our assistant professors,\u201d adds\u0026nbsp;\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 and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. \u201cEach proposal represents an opportunity to combine expertise from across the Institute to deepen our understanding of climate challenges and uncover possible solutions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EEach of the following projects will receive a $15,000 seed grant to be used during the 2025 fiscal year:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClimate Solutions in the Most Biodiverse Regions on Earth: Testing Whether Warming Temperatures have set in Motion an \u201cEscalator to Survival\u201d in Tropical Rainforests\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBenjamin Freeman\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames Stroud\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaad Bhamla\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAmirali Aghazadeh\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe research team seeks to test the \u201cescalator to survival\u201d concept, which theorizes that lowland tropical species will only be able to persist in the face of rising temperatures if they are able to shift their ranges to nearby foothills and mountains, where temperatures remain cooler.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMacro- and Microscale Drivers of Coral Reef Resilience in a Changing Climate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIsaiah W. Bolden\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELauren Speare\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the\u0026nbsp;Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe research team will develop transformative tools to evaluate reef health and resilience; detect impending compositional changes; determine the capacity for reef regeneration; and elevate mitigation strategies that preserve reef diversity and ecosystem services.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Workforce and Community-Engaged Team Building Approach for Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling in the U.S. Southeast: Addressing Social and Ecological Implications\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoe F. Bozeman III\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Public Policy\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Hirsch\u003C\/strong\u003E, senior director of the Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis project will build a transdisciplinary team to determine how to effectively unite community stakeholders, industry, social scientists, and engineers when applying for external grants to establish a U.S. southeastern hub for EV-battery lithium recycling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding Coastal Resilience: Science-based Adaptive Solutions to Mitigate Hurricane-Induced Compound Flooding in the Southeast U.S.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAli Sarhadi\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis project will quantify the risks associated with hurricane-induced compound flooding in a warming climate by developing physics-based hydrodynamic and AI models. The project aims to investigate factors related to geography in climate resilience and develop science-based, cost-effective adaptation strategies through active community engagement in Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENine early-career professors will pursue cutting-edge climate mitigation research during the upcoming year as part of the initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Nine early-career professors will pursue cutting-edge climate mitigation research during the upcoming year as part of the initiative."}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2024-07-15 16:30:53","changed_gmt":"2025-01-29 15:36:04","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-07-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-07-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673414":{"id":"673414","type":"image","title":"A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1710522679","gmt_created":"2024-03-15 17:11:19","changed":"1710522636","gmt_changed":"2024-03-15 17:10:36","alt":"A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"256810","name":"22C10400-P10-002.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/15\/22C10400-P10-002_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/15\/22C10400-P10-002_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5193114,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/03\/15\/22C10400-P10-002_0.jpg?itok=n1Xzkjik"}}},"media_ids":["673414"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-climate","title":"2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167679","name":"Seed Grant"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"60121","name":"frontiers in science"},{"id":"167358","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"87921","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter:\u003C\/strong\u003E Lindsay C. Vidal\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lvidal7@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679437":{"#nid":"679437","#data":{"type":"news","title":"AI\u2019s Energy Demands Spark Nuclear Revival","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe demand for electricity to power AI data centers is skyrocketing, placing immense pressure on traditional energy sources.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we continue pursuing clean energy for AI and data centers, we will need to triple the energy supply for data centers by 2030,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/erickson\u0022\u003EWoodruff Professor Anna Erickson, a nuclear engineering expert from Georgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E. Nuclear power, with its high energy density and continuous operation, is well-suited to provide the steady base load of electricity required.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Erickson, the recent headlines of the restarting of Pennsylvania\u2019s Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor (TMI-1) could play a crucial role in meeting these demands sustainably.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis decision, supported by a 20-year agreement with Microsoft, aims to provide carbon-free energy to meet the escalating power demands of AI data centers. The company\u2019s goal to be carbon negative by 2030 aligns with the broader push for sustainable energy solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/nuclear\/us-nuclear-industry.php\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUnited States Energy Information Administration\u003C\/a\u003E, as of Aug. 1, 2023, the United States has 93 operating commercial nuclear reactors across 54 nuclear power plants in 28 states. The most recent reactor to begin commercial operation is Unit 4 at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia, which started on April 29, 2024.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe commercial start of Unit 4 completes the 11-year expansion project at Plant Vogtle.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Historic Site With a New Mission\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThree Mile Island, infamous for the 1979 partial meltdown of its Unit 2 reactor, has remained a symbol of nuclear caution. However, the reopening of TMI-1, which operated safely for decades before its 2019 shutdown due to financial constraints, represents a potential renaissance for nuclear power. The plant\u2019s revival is seen as a strategic move to address the increasing strain on conventional electricity grids, exacerbated by the energy-intensive needs of AI technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpert Insights on Safety and Innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EErickson stresses the importance of rigorous safety measures and technological upgrades in the reopening process.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cReopening TMI-1 will require addressing several critical safety concerns, primarily focused on aging infrastructure and modern regulatory standards,\u201d she explains. Comprehensive inspections and upgrades to emergency cooling, radiation monitoring, and digital control systems will be essential to ensure structural integrity and operational reliability.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EErickson notes, \u201cWe can expect to see developments in advanced radiation detection, novel sensors, and AI-driven security systems.\u201d These technologies not only enhance safety but also improve the efficiency and reliability of nuclear power plants. She also highlights the potential for innovative advancements in reactor technology.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEconomic and Environmental Implications\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe reopening of TMI-1 is expected to bring notable economic advantages. According to Erickson, upgrading existing infrastructure is likely to be more cost-effective than new construction and can be completed more quickly.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe implications of restarting are significant,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt supports clean energy goals and provides a reliable power source for the growing needs of data centers.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnvironmental considerations are also paramount. The plant\u2019s carbon-free energy production aligns with efforts to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNuclear energy is a clean and reliable power source that can help us achieve our climate goals while meeting the growing energy demands of AI,\u201d Erickson emphasizes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPublic Perception and Regulatory Oversight\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite the potential benefits, public perception of nuclear energy remains cautious, primarily due to historical incidents like the Three Mile Island accident. Erickson acknowledges these concerns and indicates the importance of transparent regulatory oversight and effective communication. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe says the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) \u201cdoes a lot to ensure safety and security, but as experts, we need to do a better job of explaining technological advances and the benefits of nuclear energy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe reopening of TMI-1 is subject to approval from the NRC and other regulatory bodies, ensuring that all safety and environmental standards are met.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWoodruff Professor Anna Erickson from Georgia Tech emphasizes the increasing energy demands of AI data centers, which are putting pressure on traditional energy sources and prompting a shift towards nuclear power for its high energy density and continuous operation. The reopening of Pennsylvania\u2019s Three Mile Island Unit 1, supported by a 20-year agreement with Microsoft, aims to provide a steady, carbon-free energy supply to meet these demands. This move aligns with Microsoft\u0027s goal to be carbon negative by 2030 and represents a strategic effort to address the strain on conventional electricity grids. Despite public caution due to historical incidents, Erickson stresses the importance of safety measures and technological upgrades to ensure the plant\u0027s reliability and efficiency.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Professor Anna Erickson highlights the reopening of Three Mile Island Unit 1 as a crucial step in meeting the growing energy demands of AI data centers with carbon-free nuclear power, aligning with Microsoft\u0027s sustainability goals."}],"uid":"35797","created_gmt":"2025-01-10 17:56:16","changed_gmt":"2025-01-17 15:10:54","author":"Siobhan Rodriguez","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":{"675990":{"id":"675990","type":"image","title":"Three Mile Island","body":null,"created":"1736531791","gmt_created":"2025-01-10 17:56:31","changed":"1736531791","gmt_changed":"2025-01-10 17:56:31","alt":"Image of Three Mile Island","file":{"fid":"259682","name":"AdobeStock_229927661 (1).jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/10\/AdobeStock_229927661%20%281%29.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/10\/AdobeStock_229927661%20%281%29.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":10774783,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/10\/AdobeStock_229927661%20%281%29.jpeg?itok=Xdmn2JcO"}}},"media_ids":["675990"],"groups":[{"id":"1316","name":"Green Buzz"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193987","name":"Three Mile Island"},{"id":"194190","name":"AI data centers"},{"id":"194191","name":"electricity demand"},{"id":"194192","name":"traditional energy sources"},{"id":"8732","name":"clean energy"},{"id":"14003","name":"Nuclear Power"},{"id":"194193","name":"Three Mile Island Unit 1"},{"id":"194194","name":"Professor Anna Erickson"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"335","name":"Microsoft"},{"id":"194195","name":"carbon-free energy"},{"id":"194196","name":"sustainability goals"},{"id":"194197","name":"United States Energy Information Administration"},{"id":"194198","name":"commercial nuclear reactors"},{"id":"194199","name":"Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant"},{"id":"194200","name":"safety measures"},{"id":"194201","name":"technological upgrades"},{"id":"194202","name":"economic advantages"},{"id":"194203","name":"environmental implications"},{"id":"194204","name":"public perception"},{"id":"194205","name":"regulatory oversight"},{"id":"194206","name":"U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission"},{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"479","name":"Green Buzz"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESiobhan Rodriguez\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["sar30@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678852":{"#nid":"678852","#data":{"type":"news","title":"When Two Lizards Meet for the First Time, Scientists Witness Evolution in Action","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn South Florida, two Caribbean lizard species met for the first time. What followed provided some of the clearest evidence to date of evolution in action.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELead author\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/stroudlab\/join-the-lab\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames Stroud\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ean\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eassistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/james-stroud\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, was studying Cuban brown anoles (\u003Cem\u003EAnolis sagrei\u003C\/em\u003E) in South Florida when the Puerto Rican crested anole (\u003Cem\u003EAnolis cristatellus\u003C\/em\u003E), suddenly appeared in the region.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPublished in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-54302-1.epdf?sharing_token=cCJvKIK6rVqpik19O88JwtRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0NwUorP476Y4jLsgGuqSAy15EWx6cY5SdIF2hXP_GmsRUYQro-0wMfbHCY1D8ONB1QWEQXaYt15UBeD7OpG167UviXAMCzzoBMrp53-BYvE3IoF1JS6UoKl6ekAt8Whmyk%3D\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the study documents what happens as the two\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EAnolis\u003C\/em\u003E lizards adapted in response to the new competitor, while helping to resolve a longstanding challenge in evolutionary biology \u2014 directly observing the role of natural selection in character displacement: how similar animals adapt in response to competition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022Most of what we know about how animals change in response to this process comes from studying patterns that evolved long ago,\u201d Stroud says. \u201cThis was a rare opportunity where we could watch evolution as it happened.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompetition from coexistence\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile these two small, brown lizards diverged evolutionarily between 40-60 million years ago and evolved on completely separate Caribbean islands, the two species are nearly identical, and fill similar ecological niches.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESo, when the Puerto Rican crested anole suddenly appeared in Cuban brown anole habitat at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in 2018, the two were competing for similar habitats and food sources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWhen two similar species compete for the same resources, like food and territory, they often evolve differences that allow them to coexist,\u201d Stroud says. But, while scientists have found many examples of similar species developing different traits to ease this overlap, \u201cscientists have rarely been able to observe this process as it unfolds in nature.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud\u2019s team had already been studying Cuban brown anoles at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Miami, Florida, two years prior to when the crested anoles invaded. The team was able to quickly pivot to observe how the invasion changed both species, analyzing the lizards\u2019 changing diets, measuring if the lizards were moving through foliage or on the forest floor, and recording the different species\u2019 locations relative to each other. For over a thousand lizards, they also measured perch height \u2014 the distance from the ground that the lizard is perching \u2014 a primary marker of how\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EAnolis\u003C\/em\u003E lizards divvy up habitat.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe not only observed how these lizards changed their habitat use and behavior when they encountered each other,\u201d says Stroud, \u201cbut we also documented the natural selection pressures driving their physical evolution in real-time.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHuman-made habitats and natural experiments\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe research team found that when these lizard species occur together, they divide up their habitat in predictable ways \u2014 the Cuban brown anole shifted to spend more time on the ground, and evolved longer legs to run faster in this habitat, while the slightly larger Cuban crested anole lived in vegetation above the ground.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022We found that brown anoles with longer legs had higher survival after crested anoles showed up,\u0022 says Stroud. \u0022This matches perfectly with the physical differences we see in populations where these species have been living together for many generations.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud adds that while the research provides some of the strongest observations of evolution in action to date, it also demonstrates how human activities can create natural experiments that help us understand fundamental evolutionary processes \u2014 both species of\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EAnolis\u003C\/em\u003E lizard in the study were originally non-native to South Florida.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAs species increasingly come into contact due to human-mediated introductions and climate change, these studies may be important for predicting how communities will respond,\u201d he says. \u0022By studying these non-native lizards who are meeting each other for the first time in their existence, we had a unique opportunity to see the actual process unfold and connect it to the patterns we observe in nature.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Georgia Tech-led study captures two lizard species adapting in response to competition. The study provides some of the clearest evidence to date of evolution in action.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Georgia Tech-led study captures two lizard species adapting in response to competition. The study provides some of the clearest evidence to date of evolution in action."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-12-12 17:18:34","changed_gmt":"2024-12-20 15:15:11","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675843":{"id":"675843","type":"image","title":"Two Cuban brown anoles, Anolis sagrei (Credit: Day\u0027s Edge Productions)","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo Cuban brown anoles, \u003Cem\u003EAnolis sagrei \u003C\/em\u003E(Credit: Day\u0027s Edge Productions)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1734023998","gmt_created":"2024-12-12 17:19:58","changed":"1734023998","gmt_changed":"2024-12-12 17:19:58","alt":"Two Cuban brown anoles, Anolis sagrei (Credit: Day\u0027s Edge Productions)","file":{"fid":"259515","name":"Cuban brown anoles (Anolis sagrei).jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/12\/Cuban%20brown%20anoles%20%28Anolis%20sagrei%29.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/12\/Cuban%20brown%20anoles%20%28Anolis%20sagrei%29.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":350467,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/12\/Cuban%20brown%20anoles%20%28Anolis%20sagrei%29.jpeg?itok=v9AkCjMp"}},"675842":{"id":"675842","type":"image","title":"A Cuban brown anole (Anolis sagrei) in Miami (Credit: Day\u0027s Edge Productions)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA Cuban brown anole (\u003Cem\u003EAnolis sagrei\u003C\/em\u003E) in Miami (Credit: Day\u0027s Edge Productions)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1734023998","gmt_created":"2024-12-12 17:19:58","changed":"1734023998","gmt_changed":"2024-12-12 17:19:58","alt":"A Cuban brown anole (Anolis sagrei) in Miami (Credit: Day\u0027s Edge Productions)","file":{"fid":"259514","name":"Cuban brown anoles (Anolis sagrei 3) in miami.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/12\/Cuban%20brown%20anoles%20%28Anolis%20sagrei%203%29%20in%20miami.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/12\/Cuban%20brown%20anoles%20%28Anolis%20sagrei%203%29%20in%20miami.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":143809,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/12\/Cuban%20brown%20anoles%20%28Anolis%20sagrei%203%29%20in%20miami.jpeg?itok=nQ1x7isA"}},"675841":{"id":"675841","type":"image","title":"A Puerto Rican crested anole, Anolis cristatellus (Credit: Day\u0027s Edge Productions)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA Puerto Rican crested anole, \u003Cem\u003EAnolis cristatellus\u003C\/em\u003E (Credit: Day\u0027s Edge Productions)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1734023998","gmt_created":"2024-12-12 17:19:58","changed":"1734024620","gmt_changed":"2024-12-12 17:30:20","alt":"A Puerto Rican crested anole, Anolis cristatellus (Credit: Days Edge Productions)","file":{"fid":"259513","name":"2Peurto Rican crested anole (Anolis cristatellus).jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/12\/2Peurto%20Rican%20crested%20anole%20%28Anolis%20cristatellus%29.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/12\/2Peurto%20Rican%20crested%20anole%20%28Anolis%20cristatellus%29.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":162707,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/12\/2Peurto%20Rican%20crested%20anole%20%28Anolis%20cristatellus%29.jpeg?itok=M_qLT6-n"}}},"media_ids":["675843","675842","675841"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.sun-sentinel.com\/2024\/11\/30\/the-lizard-wars-of-south-florida-help-reveal-how-evolution-works\/?share=ptwandslsauw0r2peiaw","title":"The lizard wars of South Florida help reveal how evolution works"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-54302-1","title":"Observing character displacement from process to pattern in a novel vertebrate community"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.nbcmiami.com\/news\/local\/will-iguanas-fall-from-trees-in-south-florida-with-this-upcoming-cold-front\/3483732\/","title":"How cold does it need to get before frozen iguanas start falling from trees in South Florida?"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"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\u003EWritten by Selena Langner\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679012":{"#nid":"679012","#data":{"type":"news","title":"\u2018Murder Hornet\u2019 Eradication is Relief to US Honeybees","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFive years after the headline-grabbing \u201cmurder hornet\u201d (\u003Cem\u003EVespa mandarinia\u003C\/em\u003E, renamed the northern giant hornet in 2022) was first spotted in Washington state, the U.S. has declared the invasive species eradicated. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture made the announcement Wednesday. It follows three years without a confirmed detection of the hornet. Four nests were destroyed in 2020 and 2021. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the number of nests was low, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.goodismanlab.biology.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EProfessor Mike Goodisman\u003C\/a\u003E, whose lab \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/10\/16\/genome-sequencing-could-unlock-answers-yellow-jacket-behavior\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Estudies social insects\u003C\/a\u003E and invasive species, explains that had the number grown, eradication would have been increasingly unlikely due to the potential exponential growth of the population. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Each nest is started by a new queen. One new queen can start a new nest, but the colony she produces can produce 100 new nests. Because of how they reproduce, it could grow from 100 to 10,000 the year after that, and then from 10,000 to one million.\u0022 \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGoodisman says that social insects are more difficult to eradicate. However, traps and tracking methods allowed officials to contain the population in the Pacific Northwest. While the murder hornet is not the only invasive hornet species in North America, its threat to the already-declining honeybee population spurred action. Murder hornets can clear out a honeybee hive in 90 minutes, and Goodisman says the brutality of these attacks earned the northern giant hornet their nickname and is instantly recognizable. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022When murder hornets attack a honeybee colony, you\u0027ll find hundreds to thousands of decapitated honeybees,\u0022 he said, adding that although murder hornets eat a variety of insects, they \u0022have a taste for honeybees.\u0022 \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the murder hornet\u0027s native Asia, the honeybee population has developed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/youtu.be\/UNroEwFxh6I?feature=shared\u0026amp;t=169\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ea defense mechanism\u003C\/a\u003E to swarm and surround the attacking hornet, but North American honeybees are defenseless. This elevates the threat of a possible invasion, with the potential for a widespread impact on our food supply. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022A threat to the honeybee population would be a commercial disaster,\u0022 Goodisman said. \u0022Honeybees are critical in agriculture for pollinating a great variety of the foods we eat, and if we don\u0027t have these pollinators, then we wouldn\u0027t have many of the foods \u2014 fruits especially \u2014 that we are used to.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe eradication of the hornet is a significant achievement, but Goodisman says it\u0027s not a foregone conclusion that they will not reemerge. Because social insects, like murder hornets, can hibernate in various materials, cargo ships and other commercial transportation can unknowingly bring invasive species worldwide. He explains that officials will continue to set traps and employ additional tracking methods to ensure the population remains eradicated in the U.S.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf murder hornets come back, humans are not at immediate risk. Like the bald-faced hornet and the true hornet, which live in Georgia, murder hornets typically leave humans alone unless provoked, Goodisman says, but their larger-than-normal stingers cause more pain and are more harmful to small animals. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech professor says eradicating the \u201cmurder hornet\u201d will help the U.S. avoid a potential agricultural and commercial disaster.     "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech professor says eradicating the \u201cmurder hornet\u201d will help the U.S. avoid a potential agricultural and commercial disaster. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech professor says eradicating the \u201cmurder hornet\u201d will help the U.S. avoid a potential agricultural and commercial disaster.     "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2024-12-19 22:40:48","changed_gmt":"2024-12-20 14:01:12","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-19T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-19T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675901":{"id":"675901","type":"image","title":"Northern Giant Murder Hornet ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA Northern Giant Hornet removed from a nest. Photo courtesy: Washington Department of Agriculture.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1734703193","gmt_created":"2024-12-20 13:59:53","changed":"1734703210","gmt_changed":"2024-12-20 14:00:10","alt":"Murder Hornet","file":{"fid":"259575","name":"AGHNestAndRemovalAug2021 (25 of 107).jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/19\/AGHNestAndRemovalAug2021%20%2825%20of%20107%29.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/19\/AGHNestAndRemovalAug2021%20%2825%20of%20107%29.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4963104,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/19\/AGHNestAndRemovalAug2021%20%2825%20of%20107%29.jpg?itok=ejYRnuwO"}}},"media_ids":["675901"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.goodismanlab.biology.gatech.edu\/","title":"Goodisman Research Group"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"173881","name":"Honeybee"},{"id":"1909","name":"Yellow Jacket"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"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:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E - Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678833":{"#nid":"678833","#data":{"type":"news","title":"NSF RAPID Grant to Analyze Plume Chemistry","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOn September 29, 2024, a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/experts\/scientists-atlanta-monitoring-air-conyers-chemical-plume\u0022\u003Echemical plume\u003C\/a\u003E of chlorine- and bromine-containing compounds spread across the Atlanta area. The result of a fire at the BioLab pool chemical manufacturing facility in Conyers, Georgia, the plume impacted communities for several weeks, prompting a stay-at-home order and the temporary evacuation of approximately 17,000 people for the surrounding county.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/huey.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGreg Huey\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has been awarded an NSF RAPID grant to\u0026nbsp;unravel the chemical composition of the emission plumes.\u0026nbsp;The grant,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2509330\u0026amp;HistoricalAwards=false\u0022\u003E\u0022Identification and Measurement of Emissions from the Biolab Incident Impacting the Atlanta Urban Area\u0022\u003C\/a\u003E, will support the analysis of air chemistry data collected during a three-week span that the plume impacted the Atlanta area.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDuring the incident, Huey\u2019s lab collected real-time air chemistry data in two locations \u2014 at Georgia Tech in Midtown Atlanta, and near the BioLab facility, in Conyers, GA.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHuey, a professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/huey-dr-greg\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;has spent the last fifteen years measuring halogens \u2014 including chlorine and bromine \u2014\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ein remote locations like Barrow, Alaska. \u201cNormally, there are no halogens detectable in the Atlanta area,\u201d he says. \u201cBut spending the last 15 years making observations in other locations means that we were well-equipped to measure the halogens from the BioLab plume, and untangle some of the plume\u2019s chemistry.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOur goal is to understand and\u0026nbsp;report what was in the plume, then establish a website and make the data publicly available,\u201d Huey adds. \u201cWe aim to share valuable public knowledge about this incident.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA rapid response\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhen the plume first became visible, Huey recognized the ability to collect data in real-time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe decided to turn our high resolution mass spectrometer on and start sampling air,\u201d he says. This piece of scientific equipment is\u0026nbsp;capable of capturing and identifying chemical signatures, and is\u0026nbsp;sensitive to measuring levels of specific chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine. \u201cWe have a port measure on the roof of our building at Georgia Tech, which allowed us to start observing the first day,\u201d he adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHowever, this kind of data collection also depends on wind direction blowing chemicals to different regions, Huey explains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELeveraging the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u2019 mobile air quality trailer, the team deployed a second mass spectrometer near the BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia. \u201cThe City was very supportive,\u201d Huey shares. \u201cWe set up the mobile lab in the parking lot of Conyers City Hall with the goal of seeing what we could measure \u2014 and if we were seeing high levels of chlorine.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWith both sites established, Huey says the team was able to simultaneously measure in Conyers and in Midtown Atlanta \u2014 and began to see that the plume was more chemically complex than initially thought.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA proactive approach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECollected data in tow, the NSF RAPID grant will support Huey and a graduate student in the analysis of those site readings, including calibration and publication of chemical data \u2014 to be archived to a publicly accessible site; analysis of mass spectra associated with the plumes and identification of chemical compounds; calibration of the species identified, prioritized based on toxicity; and publication of a report on all species detected in the plumes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EData from the project will help inform communities potentially impacted by the plume \u2014 while helping predict the impacts of similar chemical incidents, enabling a better understanding of how to address accidental chemical emissions in the future.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cWe want to have a better idea of what this type of incident can produce for future incidents, and we want to have a better idea of what people may have been exposed to,\u201d Huey says.\u0026nbsp; \u201cWhile we can\u2019t measure and identify everything, this project will help us become better informed for the future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENSF AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2509330\u0026amp;HistoricalAwards=false\u0022\u003E#2509330\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELed by School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Greg Huey, the NSF RAPID grant is for analyzing air chemistry data collected during a three-week span when a chemical plume impacted the Atlanta area.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Led by School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Greg Huey, the NSF RAPID grant is for analyzing air chemistry data collected during a three-week span when a chemical plume impacted the Atlanta area."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-12-11 15:46:57","changed_gmt":"2024-12-18 15:26:40","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-11T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-11T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675829":{"id":"675829","type":"image","title":"Atlanta, GA","body":null,"created":"1733941920","gmt_created":"2024-12-11 18:32:00","changed":"1733941920","gmt_changed":"2024-12-11 18:32:00","alt":"Atlanta, GA","file":{"fid":"259500","name":"Image.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/Image.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/Image.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":219913,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/11\/Image.jpeg?itok=LWv7kpbQ"}},"675834":{"id":"675834","type":"image","title":"The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u0027 air quality trailer in Conyers, Georgia (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u0027 air quality trailer in Conyers, Georgia (\u003Cem\u003EPhoto Credit: Greg Huey Research Group\u003C\/em\u003E)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1733952206","gmt_created":"2024-12-11 21:23:26","changed":"1733952206","gmt_changed":"2024-12-11 21:23:26","alt":"The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u0027 air quality trailer in Conyers, Georgia (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)","file":{"fid":"259505","name":"eas-trailer - credit dr greg huey research group.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/eas-trailer%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/eas-trailer%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8767237,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/11\/eas-trailer%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg?itok=eQtHLI1A"}},"675835":{"id":"675835","type":"image","title":"Mass spectrometry equipment (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMass spectrometry equipment (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1733952206","gmt_created":"2024-12-11 21:23:26","changed":"1733952206","gmt_changed":"2024-12-11 21:23:26","alt":"Mass spectrometry equipment (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)","file":{"fid":"259506","name":"MS-equipment - credit dr greg huey research group.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/MS-equipment%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/MS-equipment%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6406692,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/11\/MS-equipment%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg?itok=TAlNJfv0"}}},"media_ids":["675829","675834","675835"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"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":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by Selena Langner\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677593":{"#nid":"677593","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Research Takes Flight: Benjamin Freeman Named 2024 Packard Fellow","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/benjamingfreeman.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBenjamin Freeman\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has been named a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.packard.org\/insights\/news\/the-david-and-lucile-packard-foundation-announces-the-2024-class-of-packard-fellows-for-science-and-engineering\/\u0022\u003E2024 Packard Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E for groundbreaking research in climate change and bird ecology. Freeman, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/benjamin%20freeman\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, will receive $875,000 to fund his work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cFrom all of us in Biological Sciences, we\u2019re thrilled to see Ben Freeman named a Packard Fellow,\u201d says School Chair\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJeffrey (Todd) Streelman\u003C\/strong\u003E. \u201cBen\u2019s research is important, compelling, and creative \u2014 a triple-threat combination that justifies this recognition.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAwarded annually to only 20 individuals by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Packard Fellows are known for pursuing cutting-edge research, never-before-done projects, and ambitious goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThese scientists and engineers are the architects of tomorrow, leading innovation with bold ideas and unyielding determination,\u201d shares\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ENancy Lindborg\u003C\/strong\u003E, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Packard Foundation. \u201cTheir work today will be the foundation for the breakthroughs of the future, inspiring the next wave of discovery and invention.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI\u0027m flabbergasted to receive this prestigious award,\u201d says Freeman. \u201cPackard support will be transformative. It will give me the freedom to do the sorts of risky projects that I\u0027ve dreamed about, and will support the intense fieldwork that I\u0027m convinced is necessary to understand big questions in climate change ecology.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Packard funding will support Freemans most ambitious project to date: developing \u201cTech Mountain\u201d in the tropics, a long-term field project focused on surveying thousands of individual birds. From mountain slope to summit, he will track their motions, their nests and predators, where they live, eat, move, and die \u2014 and how this changes as temperatures warm.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe pioneer study will shape a window into how birds and other organisms are responding to our changing climate, while developing technology and methodology that could revolutionize the fields of ecology and biology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe escalator to extinction\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman\u2019s previous research has shown that, in general, birds are moving to higher elevations as our climate changes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI found that as it\u0027s gotten warmer in the tropics, it\u0027s set in motion what I call an escalator to extinction,\u201d he explains. \u201cBirds are living at higher and higher elevations, and those that were common on a mountain top when I was a toddler in Peru are now gone from that mountain.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile this previous research has shown that tropical birds are on this escalator, it hasn\u2019t been possible to determine the specifics: which birds might be most vulnerable and what the key stressors are.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman explains that \u201cTech Mountain\u201d will be a first-of-its-kind field site, equipped with innovative sensors and trackers \u2014 think cameras placed on nets, recording equipment, climatic sensors, and small individual trackers on each bird.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI want to figure out what drives their birth rates, where they\u0027re dying, and where they\u0027re moving during the course of their life,\u201d he shares. \u201cThat will help us unravel how this escalator to extinction works.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding \u2018Tech Mountain\u2019\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESeveral thousand meters tall, encompassing lowland rainforest, foothill rainforest, and cloud forest, Freeman\u2019s field site will feature dense vegetation, steep grades, and encompass several different climatic zones \u2014 each with unique species.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAlong its slopes, Freeman\u2019s team will find, catch, mark, and follow the lives of thousands of individual birds across hundreds of species \u2014 for a minimum of five years, but potentially for decades. It\u2019s never been done before.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECurrently, most GPS trackers are too large for small birds, and smaller trackers capture limited information. Additionally, these smaller trackers cannot wirelessly transfer data \u2014 in order to download and access the data, each bird must be recaptured.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe conditions are tough. It\u2019s rugged. It\u2019s humid. It\u2019s cloudy and wet. We\u2019ll need to put resources into developing technology that fits our needs, and experiment with different ways of tracking individuals in these difficult conditions,\u201d Freeman says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman will also leverage\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ebird.org\/home\u0022\u003EeBird\u003C\/a\u003E, an online hub where community scientists can upload their observations. \u201cMillions upon millions of observations are uploaded by community scientists, citizen scientists, birders \u2014 people,\u201d he adds. \u201cAnd using this data, we can estimate the vulnerability of mountain bird species \u2014 which species seem to be shrinking their ranges and declining in abundance.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis builds on Freeman\u2019s current work creating the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/benjamingfreeman.com\/mountainbirdnetwork\u0022\u003EMountain Bird Network\u003C\/a\u003E, which supports community scientists in conducting bird surveys on their local mountains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech and global connections\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFreeman\u2019s tools and methodologies could revolutionize fieldwork for ecologists and biologists, opening the door for rigorous new field studies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIt will also provide opportunities to deepen collaborations abroad. \u201cI\u0027m planning on working closely with Dr.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EElisa Bonaccorso\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0027s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usfq.edu.ec\/es\/perfiles\/elisa-bonaccorso\u0022\u003Elab\u003C\/a\u003E at the University of San Francisco, Quito (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usfq.edu.ec\/en\u0022\u003EUSFQ Ecuador\u003C\/a\u003E),\u201d Freeman says, \u201cand I\u2019m looking forward to that collaboration. The Packard funding will also support work in Ecuador conducted by an Ecuadorian graduate student who is studying at Georgia Tech.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThroughout the research, students will be at the heart of the projects. \u201cI take mentoring scientists very seriously,\u201d Freeman shares. \u201cUndergraduates will have the opportunity to get involved on the biology side of this research, the computational side, and on the engineering side of the research. They\u2019ll even help develop new tracking technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Packard Fellowship will not only support my research \u2014 but help me provide these opportunities in the coming years to Georgia Tech\u2019s future scientists.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EClimate change has set in motion an \u201cescalator to extinction\u201d as mountain species move uphill to cooler elevations, occupy shrinking ranges, and then go extinct. The Freeman lab investigates why some species are riding this \u201cescalator\u201d \u2014 and how mountain biodiversity can persist in a warming world.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Fellowship will support the Freeman lab as it The Freeman lab investigates how mountain biodiversity persists in a warming world."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-10-15 18:24:43","changed_gmt":"2024-11-01 13:12:03","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675324":{"id":"675324","type":"image","title":"A rufous-tailed jacamar (Photo by Benjamin Freeman)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA rufous-tailed jacamar (Photo by Benjamin Freeman)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1729016793","gmt_created":"2024-10-15 18:26:33","changed":"1729016793","gmt_changed":"2024-10-15 18:26:33","alt":"A rufous-tailed jacamar (Photo by Benjamin Freeman)","file":{"fid":"258935","name":"Bird.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/15\/Bird.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/15\/Bird.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":669493,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/15\/Bird.jpeg?itok=o_dGNfhK"}},"675323":{"id":"675323","type":"image","title":"Benjamin Freeman","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;Benjamin Freeman\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1729016793","gmt_created":"2024-10-15 18:26:33","changed":"1729016793","gmt_changed":"2024-10-15 18:26:33","alt":"Benjamin Freeman","file":{"fid":"258934","name":"BenjaminFreeman.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/15\/BenjaminFreeman.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/15\/BenjaminFreeman.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2771976,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/15\/BenjaminFreeman.png?itok=fugaKOaT"}}},"media_ids":["675324","675323"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.packard.org\/insights\/news\/the-david-and-lucile-packard-foundation-announces-the-2024-class-of-packard-fellows-for-science-and-engineering\/","title":"The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Announces the 2024 Class of Packard Fellows for Science and Engineering"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"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\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677897":{"#nid":"677897","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Cybersecurity Goes Green with $4.6 Million DOE Grant","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Georgia Tech researchers a $4.6 million grant to develop improved cybersecurity protection for renewable energy technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/samanzonouz4n6\/saman-zonouz\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaman Zonouz\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Ewill lead the project and leverage the latest artificial technology (AI) to create Phorensics. The new tool will anticipate cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and provide analysts with an accurate reading of what vulnerabilities were exploited.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis grant enables us to tackle one of the crucial challenges facing national security today: our critical infrastructure resilience and post-incident diagnostics to restore normal operations in a timely manner,\u201d said Zonouz.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTogether with our amazing team, we will focus on cyber-physical data recovery and post-mortem forensics analysis after cybersecurity incidents in emerging renewable energy systems.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the integration of renewable energy technology into national power grids increases, so does their vulnerability to cyberattacks. These threats put energy infrastructure at risk and pose a significant danger to public safety and economic stability. The AI behind Phorensics will allow analysts and technicians to scale security efforts to keep up with a growing power grid that is becoming more complex.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis effort is part of the Security of Engineering Systems (SES) initiative at Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy (SCP). SES has three pillars: research, education, and testbeds, with multiple ongoing large, sponsored efforts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe had a successful hiring season for SES last year and will continue filling several open tenure-track faculty positions this upcoming cycle,\u201d said Zonouz.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith top-notch cybersecurity and engineering schools at Georgia Tech, we have begun the SES journey with a dedicated passion to pursue building real-world solutions to protect our critical infrastructures, national security, and public safety.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZonouz\u0026nbsp;is the director of the Cyber-Physical Systems Security Laboratory (CPSec) and is jointly appointed by Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u0026nbsp;(SCP) and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe three Georgia Tech researchers joining him on this project are \u003Cstrong\u003EBrendan Saltaformaggio\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;associate\u0026nbsp;professor in SCP and ECE; \u003Cstrong\u003ETaesoo Kim\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;jointly appointed professor in SCP and the School of Computer Science; and \u003Cstrong\u003EAnimesh Chhotaray\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;research\u0026nbsp;scientist in SCP.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKatherine Davis\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;associate\u0026nbsp;professor at the Texas A\u0026amp;M University Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has partnered with the team to develop Phorensics. The team will also collaborate with the NREL National Lab, and industry partners for technology transfer and commercialization initiatives.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Energy Department defines renewable energy as energy from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers received a $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance cybersecurity for renewable energy technologies. Led by Associate Professor Saman Zonouz, the project will develop an AI-based tool called Phorensics to anticipate cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and analyze exploited vulnerabilities. The initiative is crucial as the growing integration of renewable energy into power grids increases their vulnerability to cyber threats. This project is part of the Security of Engineering Systems (SES) initiative at Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy, aiming to improve national security and public safety. The team includes Georgia Tech faculty and industry partners for technology development and commercialization.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers received a $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance cybersecurity for renewable energy technologies."}],"uid":"36253","created_gmt":"2024-10-24 15:48:35","changed_gmt":"2024-10-30 15:24:42","author":"John Popham","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673306":{"id":"673306","type":"image","title":"Saman Zonouz is a Georgia Tech associate professor and lead researcher for the DerGuard project. ","body":null,"created":"1709660104","gmt_created":"2024-03-05 17:35:04","changed":"1709660054","gmt_changed":"2024-03-05 17:34:14","alt":"Saman Zonouz is a Georgia Tech associate professor and lead researcher for the DerGuard project. ","file":{"fid":"256679","name":"Saman-Zonouz.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":56998,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/03\/05\/Saman-Zonouz.jpg?itok=qOSZDIrt"}}},"media_ids":["673306"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660373","name":"School of Cybersecurity \u0026 Privacy (Do not use)"},{"id":"660367","name":"School of Cybersecurity and Privacy"}],"categories":[{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"365","name":"Research"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"107031","name":"College of Engineering; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering"},{"id":"168414","name":"College of Engineering; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; College of Computing"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"3245","name":"News"},{"id":"2634","name":"grant"},{"id":"194059","name":"million"},{"id":"364","name":"Funding"},{"id":"1506","name":"faculty"},{"id":"516","name":"engineering"},{"id":"208","name":"computing"},{"id":"1404","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"182941","name":"cc-research; ic-cybersecurity; ic-hcc"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"},{"id":"39541","name":"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":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Popham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollege of Computing | School of Cybersecurity and Privacy\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jpopham3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677324":{"#nid":"677324","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Weather Radar Supports Research and Education, Helps Fill Coverage Gaps","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECollaboration among three Georgia institutions of higher education on the operation of a new weather radar system will enhance student learning, provide new opportunities for research, and help improve severe weather coverage in north Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstalled recently at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), an X-band weather radar purchased two years ago by the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia (UGA) is now providing data for a section of north Georgia where information on severe storms such as tornados can be limited by terrain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe radar will also be used for research into weather and severe storms, and by students at the three institutions for learning about everything from physics and engineering to weather, rainfall, and the effects of changing climate on the migration patterns of birds and insects. The instrument will be one of just a handful of weather radars operated by universities in the United States.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are really excited about this partnership with Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the University of Georgia, and Georgia Gwinnett College,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/geography.uga.edu\/directory\/people\/james-marshall-shepherd\u0022\u003EMarshall Shepherd\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Dean for Research, Scholarship and Partnership at UGA\u2019s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and Director of UGA\u2019s Atmospheric Sciences Program. \u201cThe radar will be a real-time component of classes, so it\u2019s creating new instructional and service capabilities. It will also enable researchers at the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech to pursue new research opportunities in the areas of severe weather, frozen precipitation \u2013 and perhaps even studies of birds and insects.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe radar will provide a new data source for UGA\u2019s WeatherDawgs service, which provides hyperlocal weather data not only for the Athens community, but also for residents of eastern and northeastern Georgia. The system will also provide a real-time component for the mesoscale meteorology course taught at the university.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Georgia Tech, the radar will support the work of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/severestorms.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESevere Storms Research Center (SSRC)\u003C\/a\u003E, a state-funded initiative that serves as a focal point for severe storms research in the state. The radar will also support research and education at Georgia Tech, including courses on weather radar systems and studies of lightning being done in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe new radar will help fill some low-level gaps in weather radar coverage in north Georgia, and give higher-resolution data for the Georgia Gwinnett campus, University of Georgia campus, Georgia Tech campus and areas in between,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/severestorms.gatech.edu\/contact-information\/\u0022\u003EJohn Trostel\u003C\/a\u003E, director of the SSRC. \u201cThis is an area where both UGA and Georgia Tech have interests because it goes from urban to suburban, then back to urban. We might see some very interesting weather phenomena going on in those transition areas.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe National Weather Service has access to a feed from the radar and will use it to obtain information about low-altitude weather activity that can\u2019t be seen as well from sources such as the NEXRAD radar based in Peachtree City and the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Trostel added.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ggc.edu\u0022\u003EGeorgia Gwinnett College\u003C\/a\u003E, the radar will provide real-world examples of how physics and engineering concepts are applied. Data from the radar system, which will be accessible to the college, would also provide students with a new research opportunity that is a required component of the science curriculum.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur Physics and Pre-Engineering courses already cover the concepts of electromagnetic waves and the Doppler effect, which are the main principles behind radar,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ggc.edu\/directory\/neelam-khan\u0022\u003ENeelam Khan\u003C\/a\u003E, the Chair of the Physics and Pre-Engineering Department at Georgia Gwinnett College. \u201cThrough this radar, students will learn about the applications of Doppler radar to track weather patterns and visualize the data it produces.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConnections with the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and the Georgia Tech Research Institute will also help broaden the experience of students at Georgia Gwinnett College, a four-year public college that was founded in 2005 and now has more than 11,000 students, Khan said. All three collaborating institutions are part of the University System of Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Furuno WR-2100 X-band weather radar was purchased in 2022 using funding from Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. It was initially placed atop a building on GTRI\u2019s Smyrna campus, where it underwent tests while Trostel and Shepherd searched for the best location for a more permanent installation. The researchers have used the device to look at storms, generate data, and practice data analysis.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Gwinnett location was selected because the campus location enables coverage for both Atlanta and Athens. The Gwinnett County location also helps fill potential gaps in northeast Georgia and brings a unique resource for GGC\u2019s educational mission. The radar is now fully operational.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOwning and operating a weather radar is unusual for colleges and universities, but not surprising given the impact of severe weather in Georgia, Shepherd noted.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWeather is a significant threat to our lives and property, particularly in Georgia,\u201d Shepherd said. \u201cWhile we have an adequate radar network from the National Weather Service and the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar, there are often gaps and needs for higher resolution, more detailed information. Our institutions have entered very rare air in owning and operating a weather radar that will benefit our students, the state, and our research enterprise in the University System of Georgia institutions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause they\u2019ll be able to control the geographic areas covered by the radar and the level of detail in the information gathered, the new weather radar will be a useful tool not only for tracking storms, but also for conducting research, Trostel said. Its ability to provide highly detailed information even allows it to track the movement of insects and birds, for example.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe can see things at higher resolution, and we have complete control over how we manipulate the radar beam to look at things,\u201d Trostel said. \u201cThe radar is much less expensive to purchase and operate than other weather radars, which makes it a budget-friendly tool for university research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe instrument cost approximately $150,000 to purchase and was acquired through donations and internal funding at UGA and Georgia Tech. Shepherd and Tom Mote, the founding director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at UGA, contributed funds from institutional research budgets. A significant financial gift was also acquired from Elaine Neal, an alumna of the UGA Department of Geography and longtime donor to the University of Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, funds were provided by GTRI\u2019s Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory, and the Aerospace, Transportation and Advanced Systems Laboratory, the Georgia Tech Office of the Executive Vice President for Research, and Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWriter: John Toon (john.toon@gtri.gatech.edu)\u003Cbr\u003EGTRI Communications\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003Cbr\u003EAtlanta, Georgia USA\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\u003EInstalled recently at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), an X-band weather radar purchased two years ago by the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia (UGA) is now providing data for a section of north Georgia where information on severe storms such as tornados can be limited by terrain. The radar will also be used for research into weather and severe storms and by students at the three institutions for learning about everything from physics and engineering to weather, rainfall, and the effects of changing climate on the migration patterns of birds and insects. The instrument will be one of just a handful of weather radars operated by universities in the United States.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Collaboration among three Georgia institutions of higher education on the operation of a new weather radar system will enhance student learning, provide new opportunities for research, and help improve severe weather coverage in north Georgia."}],"uid":"35832","created_gmt":"2024-10-04 12:09:19","changed_gmt":"2024-10-15 15:38:49","author":"Michelle Gowdy","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-04T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-04T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675214":{"id":"675214","type":"image","title":"X-band weather radar","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERadar returns from the X-band weather radar shows storms over Northeast Georgia. (Credit: John Trostel, GTRI)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1728043478","gmt_created":"2024-10-04 12:04:38","changed":"1728043617","gmt_changed":"2024-10-04 12:06:57","alt":"X-band weather radar","file":{"fid":"258815","name":"X band weather radar screen.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/04\/X%20band%20weather%20radar%20screen.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/04\/X%20band%20weather%20radar%20screen.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":929437,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/04\/X%20band%20weather%20radar%20screen.jpg?itok=GuxF8aes"}},"675213":{"id":"675213","type":"image","title":"GTRI\u0027s John Trostel and UGA\u0027s Marshall Shepherd","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Trostel, director of the Severe Storms Research Center (SSRC) at Georgia Tech, and Marshall Shepherd, Associate Dean for Research, Scholarship and Partnership at UGA\u2019s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and Director of UGA\u2019s Atmospheric Sciences Program, at the SSRC. (Credit: Sean McNeil, GTRI)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1728043307","gmt_created":"2024-10-04 12:01:47","changed":"1728043467","gmt_changed":"2024-10-04 12:04:27","alt":"GTRI\u0027s John Trostel and UGA\u0027s Marshall Shepherd","file":{"fid":"258814","name":"SSRC New Radar_01.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/04\/SSRC%20New%20Radar_01.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/04\/SSRC%20New%20Radar_01.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2957893,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/04\/SSRC%20New%20Radar_01.jpg?itok=e9xhtOMO"}},"675212":{"id":"675212","type":"image","title":"X-band weather radar installation","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe new X-band weather radar being installed on the roof of a building at Georgia Gwinnett College. (Credit: Christopher Moore, GTRI)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1728042956","gmt_created":"2024-10-04 11:55:56","changed":"1728043236","gmt_changed":"2024-10-04 12:00:36","alt":"X-band weather radar installation","file":{"fid":"258813","name":"GTRI_weather_radar_2024_1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/04\/GTRI_weather_radar_2024_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/04\/GTRI_weather_radar_2024_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1548618,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/04\/GTRI_weather_radar_2024_1.jpg?itok=m1dM8NYm"}},"675215":{"id":"675215","type":"video","title":"Weather Radar","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWeather Radar Supports Research and Education, Helps Fill Coverage Gaps Collaboration among three Georgia institutions of higher education on the operation of a new weather radar system will enhance student learning, provide new opportunities for research, and help improve severe weather coverage in north Georgia. Installed recently at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), an X-band weather radar purchased two years ago by the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia (UGA) is now providing data for a section of north Georgia where information on severe storms such as tornados can be limited by terrain. The radar will also be used for research into weather and severe storms and by students at the three institutions for learning about everything from physics and engineering to weather, rainfall, and the effects of changing climate on the migration patterns of birds and insects. The instrument will be one of just a handful of weather radars operated by universities in the United States.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1728043990","gmt_created":"2024-10-04 12:13:10","changed":"1728044026","gmt_changed":"2024-10-04 12:13:46","video":{"youtube_id":"eOsBIKfINRk","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eOsBIKfINRk"}}},"media_ids":["675214","675213","675212","675215"],"groups":[{"id":"1276","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"416","name":"GTRI"},{"id":"365","name":"Research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"166902","name":"science and technology"},{"id":"341","name":"innovation"},{"id":"3432","name":"weather"},{"id":"169457","name":"Severe Storms Research Center"},{"id":"4838","name":"University of Georgia"},{"id":"193994","name":"USG collaboration"},{"id":"193995","name":"Georgia Gwinnett College"},{"id":"2621","name":"radar"},{"id":"193996","name":"X-radar"},{"id":"189447","name":"developing future technology leaders"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"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":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E(Interim) Director of Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMichelle Gowdy\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMichelle.Gowdy@gtri.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E404-407-8060\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["michelle.gowdy@gtri.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677477":{"#nid":"677477","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Soil-Powered Fuel Cell Makes List of Best Sustainability Designs","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA newly designed soil-powered fuel cell that could provide a sustainable alternative to batteries was recognized as an honorable mention in the annual Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETerracell is roughly the size of a paperback book and uses microbes found in soil to generate energy for low-power applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrevious designs for soil microbial fuel cells required water submergence or saturated soil. Terracell can function in soil with a volumetric water content of 42%\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETerracell placed in Fast Company\u2019s list of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/91129811\/students-innovation-by-design-2024\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ebest sustainability-focused designs of 2024\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at Northwestern University lead the multi-institution research team that designed Terracell.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJosiah\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003EHester\u003C\/strong\u003E, an associate professor in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ic.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0027s School of Interactive Computing\u003C\/a\u003E who previously worked at Northwestern, directs the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kamoamoa.com\/\u0022\u003EKa Moamoa Lab\u003C\/a\u003E, where the project was conceived.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team includes researchers from Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Stanford, the University of California-San Diego, and the University of California-Santa Cruz.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir research was published in January in the Proceedings of the Association for Computing Machinery on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable, and Ubiquitous Technologies. The researchers will also present this work at the ACM international joint conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing (Ubicomp), Oct. 5-9.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the Fast Company website, the Innovation by Design Awards recognize \u201cdesigners and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow.\u201d Winners are published in Fast Company Magazine and are honored at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in the fall.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTerracell could reduce e-waste and extend the useful lifetime of electronics deployed for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and smart cities,\u201d Hester said. \u201cWe were honored to be recognized for the design innovation award. It is a testament to the promise of sustainable computing and our hope for a more sustainable world.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor more information about Terracell, see the story featured on Northwestern Now, or visit the project\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.terracell.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ewebsite\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor of Interactive Computing \u003Cstrong\u003EJosiah\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003EHester\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0027s lab is developing new technology that harvests energy from soil. Terracell placed in Fast Company\u2019s list of the best sustainability-focused designs of 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New technology being developed at Georgia Tech placed in Fast Company\u2019s list of the best sustainability-focused designs of 2024."}],"uid":"32045","created_gmt":"2024-10-11 14:16:38","changed_gmt":"2024-10-11 14:23:43","author":"Ben Snedeker","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675290":{"id":"675290","type":"image","title":"Lighted bulb in the dirt illustrates new technology that draws energy from dirt.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn Adobe stock conceptual image of a lighted bulb in the dirt illustrating new technology that draws energy from dirt.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1728656208","gmt_created":"2024-10-11 14:16:48","changed":"1728656208","gmt_changed":"2024-10-11 14:16:48","alt":"An Adobe stock conceptual image of a lighted bulb in the dirt illustrating new technology that draws energy from dirt.","file":{"fid":"258897","name":"AdobeStock_241936979.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/11\/AdobeStock_241936979.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/11\/AdobeStock_241936979.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":105240,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/11\/AdobeStock_241936979.jpeg?itok=6MaZJidR"}},"671840":{"id":"671840","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Associate Professor of Interactive Computing Josiah Hester","body":null,"created":"1695750013","gmt_created":"2023-09-26 17:40:13","changed":"1695750013","gmt_changed":"2023-09-26 17:40:13","alt":"Georgia Tech Associate Professor of Interactive Computing Josiah Hester","file":{"fid":"254978","name":"Josiah Hester_86A0504.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/09\/26\/Josiah%20Hester_86A0504.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/09\/26\/Josiah%20Hester_86A0504.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":598031,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/09\/26\/Josiah%20Hester_86A0504.jpg?itok=9adMnFyo"}}},"media_ids":["675290","671840"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50876","name":"School of Interactive Computing"}],"categories":[{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"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\u003ENathan Deen, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech School of Interactive Computing\u003Cbr\u003Enathan.deen@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"676968":{"#nid":"676968","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Joel Kostka Named AGU Fellow","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/kostkalab\/people\/joel-kostka\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoel E. Kostka\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has been\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.agu.org\/user-profile?cstkey=20e4119e-4554-4bbf-8b04-65cee0261307\u0022\u003Enamed a Union Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E by the American Geophysical Union, joining a slate of 53 international researchers selected as 2024 AGU Fellows for \u201csignificant contributions to the Earth and space sciences.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka serves as Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBiological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E with a joint appointment in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEarth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EEach year, AGU recognizes individuals and teams for their accomplishments in research, education, science communication and outreach. \u201cThese recipients have transformed our understanding of the world, impacted our everyday lives, improved our communities and contributed to solutions for a sustainable future,\u201d shared AGU President\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELisa J. Graumlich\u003C\/strong\u003E and the organization\u2019s Honors and Recognition Committee in a September 18\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.agu.org\/honors-home\/announcement\u0022\u003Eannouncement\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKostka is an expert in ecosystem biogeoscience, which couples biogeochemistry with microbiology to uncover the role of microorganisms in ecosystem function \u2014 along with determining the mechanisms by which environmental perturbations (climate change) alter microbially-mediated biogeochemical cycles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cTo be named as a fellow of the American Geophysical Union is very special to me, in particular because it signifies the trust and respect of my colleagues,\u201d Kostka says. \u201cI am honored to stand on the shoulders of such a great group of researchers that have moved this field forward.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOf course,\u201d he adds, \u201cI would not be in this position without amazing mentors, colleagues, students, and postdocs from whom I have learned so much.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI want to congratulate Dr. Kostka on this tremendous honor,\u201d adds Biological Sciences Professor and Chair\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ETodd Streelman\u003C\/strong\u003E. \u201cHis passion for ecology and understanding the impacts of environmental change on ecosystems is evident. I am delighted that his significant contributions have been recognized by his colleagues in the American Geophysical Union.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHonorees will be celebrated at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.agu.org\/annual-meeting\u0022\u003EAGU24\u003C\/a\u003E, which will convene more than 25,000 attendees from over 100 countries in Washington, D.C. this December under the theme \u201cWhat\u2019s Next for Science.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Joel E. Kostka has been named a Union Fellow by the American Geophysical Union, joining a slate of 53 international researchers selected as 2024 AGU Fellows for \u201csignificant contributions to the Earth and space sciences.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Professor Joel E. Kostka has been named a Union Fellow by the American Geophysical Union, joining a slate of 53 international researchers selected as 2024 AGU Fellows for \u201csignificant contributions to the Earth and space sciences.\u201d  "}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2024-09-18 20:59:30","changed_gmt":"2024-09-18 21:01:52","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675025":{"id":"675025","type":"image","title":"Joel Kostka ","body":null,"created":"1726693287","gmt_created":"2024-09-18 21:01:27","changed":"1726693287","gmt_changed":"2024-09-18 21:01:27","alt":"Joel Kostka","file":{"fid":"258612","name":"Joel Kostka.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/18\/Joel%20Kostka.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/18\/Joel%20Kostka.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":422897,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/18\/Joel%20Kostka.jpg?itok=zIPhfLUz"}}},"media_ids":["675025"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/roots-resilience-investigating-vital-role-microbes-coastal-plant-health","title":"From Roots to Resilience: Investigating the Vital Role of Microbes in Coastal Plant Health "},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/rising-temperatures-alter-missing-link-microbial-processes-putting-northern-peatlands-risk","title":"Rising Temperatures Alter \u2018Missing Link\u2019 of Microbial Processes, Putting Northern Peatlands at Risk "},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/joel-kostka-awarded-32-million-keep-digging-how-soils-and-plants-capture-carbon-and-keep-it-out","title":"Joel Kostka Awarded $3.2 Million to Keep Digging into How Soils and Plants Capture Carbon \u2014 And Keep It Out of Earth\u2019s Atmosphere "},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/salt-marsh-grass-georgias-coast-gets-nutrients-growth-helpful-bacteria-its-roots","title":"Salt Marsh Grass On Georgia\u2019s Coast Gets Nutrients for Growth From Helpful Bacteria in Its Roots "}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"172458","name":"biological sciences"},{"id":"20131","name":"Joel Kostka"},{"id":"61541","name":"Earth and Atmospheric Sciences"},{"id":"179951","name":"AGU"},{"id":"172013","name":"Faculty Awards and Honors"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"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:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"676918":{"#nid":"676918","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tim Lieuwen Honored by Royal Academy of Engineering","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor \u003Cstrong\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/strong\u003E has been elected to the status of International Fellow by the U.K.\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/raeng.org.uk\/news\/royal-academy-of-engineering-welcomes-71-new-fellows\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERoyal Academy of Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. He is one of three other US engineers to receive this prestigious fellowship, which emphasizes enhancing the role of engineering in society and developing an inclusive future through research, education initiatives, and industry collaborations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieuwen is a Regents\u2019 Professor, the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering (AE), a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, among several others. For 12 years, he served as executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E; he is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/07\/30\/regents-professor-tim-lieuwen-serve-georgia-techs-interim-evpr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ecurrently serving as Georgia Tech\u2019s interim executive vice president\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E for Research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTim Lieuwen\u2019s groundbreaking research and leadership have been instrumental in advancing the AE School\u2019s mission,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003EMitchell Walker\u003C\/strong\u003E, AE chair. \u201cHis work in combustion dynamics, propulsion, and clean energy systems not only enhances our academic reputation but also drives significant, real-world impact, as recognized by the Academy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieuwen\u2019s research focuses on developing clean combustion technologies for power generation and propulsion. He works closely with industry and government professionals to address energy concerns and set the standard for clean tech manufacturing. The Georgia Tech alumnus will formally be admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on November 27, 2024.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 2024 class includes 60 Fellows, six International Fellows, and five Honorary Fellows, each of whom has made exceptional contributions to their own field, pioneering new innovations, leading progress in business or academia, providing high-level advice to government, or promoting wider understanding of engineering and technology.\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\u003EThe former interim chair for the AE School has been elected an International Fellow for his contributions to the aerospace and energy professions.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The former interim chair for the AE School has been elected an International Fellow for his contributions to the aerospace and energy professions."}],"uid":"34736","created_gmt":"2024-09-18 14:29:31","changed_gmt":"2024-09-18 14:35:53","author":"Kelsey Gulledge","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675007":{"id":"675007","type":"image","title":"0A6A1348.jpg","body":null,"created":"1726669777","gmt_created":"2024-09-18 14:29:37","changed":"1726669777","gmt_changed":"2024-09-18 14:29:37","alt":"Tim Lieuwen standing above one of the Strategic Energy Institute\u0027s (SEI) research areas. ","file":{"fid":"258592","name":"0A6A1348.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/18\/0A6A1348.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/18\/0A6A1348.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":12742305,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/18\/0A6A1348.jpg?itok=bV7OepTd"}}},"media_ids":["675007"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/tim-lieuwen-interim-evpr","title":"Tim Lieuwen: Shaping the Future of Research at Georgia Tech"},{"url":"https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/news\/2018\/02\/profile-aes-newest-nae-member-prof-timothy-lieuwen","title":"A Profile of AE\u0027s Newest NAE Member: Prof. Timothy Lieuwen"}],"groups":[{"id":"660364","name":"Aerospace Engineering"},{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"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":[],"email":["kelsey.gulledge@aerospace.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"676591":{"#nid":"676591","#data":{"type":"news","title":"In Fairbanks, Alaska, Researchers Unravel Frigid Air Pollution","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENew research shows that an effort to improve wintertime air quality in Fairbanks, Alaska \u2014 particularly in frigid conditions around 40 below zero Fahrenheit \u2014 may not be as effective as intended.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELed by a team of University of Alaska Fairbanks and Georgia Tech researchers that includes \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/weber-dr-rodney\u0022\u003ERodney Weber\u003C\/a\u003E, the researchers\u0027 latest findings are published in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/sciadv.ado4373\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EScience Advances\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the study, the team leveraged state-of-the-art thermodynamic tools used in global air quality models, with an aim to better understand how reducing the amount of primary sulfate in the atmosphere might affect sub-zero air quality conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project stems from the 2022 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gi.alaska.edu\/news\/dozens-experts-arrive-fairbanks-air-quality-research\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAlaskan Layered Pollution and Chemical Analysis\u003C\/a\u003E project, or ALPACA, an international project funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and European sources. It is part of an international air quality effort called Pollution in the Arctic: Climate Environment and Societies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERead the full story in the University of Alaska Fairbanks \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.uaf.edu\/news\/new-research-has-implications-for-fairbanks-winter-air-quality-improvement.php\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Enewsroom\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"New research shows that an effort to improve wintertime air quality in Fairbanks, Alaska may not be as effective as intended. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new study shows that an effort to improve wintertime air quality in Fairbanks, Alaska \u2014 particularly in frigid conditions around 40 below zero Fahrenheit \u2014 may not be as effective as intended, with findings published in Science Advances.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New research shows that an effort to improve wintertime air quality in Fairbanks, Alaska may not be as effective as intended. "}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2024-09-06 17:02:00","changed_gmt":"2024-09-06 17:03:33","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674858":{"id":"674858","type":"image","title":"Ice fog over Fairbanks as seen from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Debbie Dean)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIce fog over Fairbanks as seen from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Debbie Dean)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1725642170","gmt_created":"2024-09-06 17:02:50","changed":"1725642170","gmt_changed":"2024-09-06 17:02:50","alt":"Ice fog over Fairbanks as seen from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Debbie Dean)","file":{"fid":"258422","name":"icefog2_DebbieDean.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/06\/icefog2_DebbieDean.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/06\/icefog2_DebbieDean.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":878828,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/06\/icefog2_DebbieDean.jpeg?itok=Uplc9onJ"}}},"media_ids":["674858"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:rcboyce@alaska.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Email Rod Boyce\u0022\u003ERod Boyce\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"676504":{"#nid":"676504","#data":{"type":"news","title":"James Stroud Awarded British Ecological Society Founder\u0027s Prize","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/stroudlab\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames T. Stroud\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, has been awarded the prestigious\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britishecologicalsociety.org\/bes-awards-2024-meet-the-winners\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFounder\u0027s Prize\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E by the\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.britishecologicalsociety.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBritish Ecological Society\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (BES), the largest scientific society for ecologists in Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECommemorating the enthusiasm and vision of the organization\u2019s founders, the Founder\u0027s Prize is awarded to an outstanding early career ecologist who is beginning to make a significant contribution to the science of ecology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud is being recognized for his groundbreaking research as an integrative evolutionary ecologist, investigating how ecological and evolutionary processes may underlie patterns of biological diversity at the macro-scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EEarlier this year, Stroud was also named an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/30\/james-stroud-named-early-career-fellow-ecological-society-america\u0022\u003EEarly Career Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E by the Ecological Society of America (ESA). He is the first person to win both seminal early career researcher awards from ESA and BES \u2014 the two largest and most influential ecological societies in the world \u2014 in the same year.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe British Ecological Society could not have selected a more deserving recipient of this prestigious award,\u201d says David Collard, senior associate dean in the College of Sciences and professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. \u201cJames is a model of faculty excellence in his innovative research, commitment to education, and leadership in the field. We look forward to his continued impact in driving forward the field of ecology.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud\u0027s highly multidisciplinary research combines field studies with macro-ecological and evolutionary comparative analyses, primarily studying lizards. His current interests focus on measuring natural selection in the wild, often leveraging non-native lizards as natural experiments in ecology and evolution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022I am completely overwhelmed and honored to receive this award,\u201d Stroud says, \u201cand especially from a society very close to my heart. My first ever scientific conference was a BES meeting.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStroud will be presented with an honorarium prize during a ceremony at the BES Annual Meeting in Liverpool this December. The meeting brings together over 1,000 ecologists to discuss the latest advances in ecological research. For more than a century, the BES has been championing ecology through its journals, meetings, grants, education, and policy work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis award really symbolizes the amazing support and guidance I have received throughout my career from an incredible network of mentors and colleagues,\u201d Stroud adds, \u201cand now, the amazing people I get to work with in my own\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/stroudlab\/\u0022\u003Eresearch group\u003C\/a\u003E, as well.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E###\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the British Ecological Society\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.britishecologicalsociety.org\u0022\u003EBritish Ecological Society\u003C\/a\u003E (BES), founded in 1913, is the oldest ecological society in the world, championing the study of ecology for over a century. With over 7,000 members in more than 120 countries, the BES is the largest scientific society for ecologists in Europe and promotes the study of ecology through its six academic journals, conferences, grants, education initiatives and policy work.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003Eor \u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech,\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers\u202fbusiness, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts,\u202f and\u202f sciences degrees. Its more than 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 143 countries. They study at the main campus in Atlanta, at instructional sites around the world, or through distance and online learning. As 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.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJames Stroud has been awarded the British Ecological Society Founder\u0027s Prize. Commemorating the enthusiasm and vision of the Society\u2019s founders, the annual honor is bestowed upon \u201can outstanding early career ecologist who is starting to make a significant contribution to the science of ecology.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Stroud is being recognized for his groundbreaking research as an integrative evolutionary ecologist."}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2024-09-04 13:25:03","changed_gmt":"2024-09-04 13:29:25","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-04T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-04T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673890":{"id":"673890","type":"image","title":"James Stroud examines an anole (Day\u2019s Edge Productions)","body":null,"created":"1714494317","gmt_created":"2024-04-30 16:25:17","changed":"1714494317","gmt_changed":"2024-04-30 16:25:17","alt":"James Stroud examines an anole (Day\u2019s Edge Productions)","file":{"fid":"257341","name":"original_stroudresearchmiami_003_daysedgeprods.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/30\/original_stroudresearchmiami_003_daysedgeprods.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/30\/original_stroudresearchmiami_003_daysedgeprods.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":494176,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/30\/original_stroudresearchmiami_003_daysedgeprods.jpg?itok=cfKU82J9"}}},"media_ids":["673890"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/30\/james-stroud-named-early-career-fellow-ecological-society-america","title":"James Stroud Named Early Career Fellow by Ecological Society of America "},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/evolution-lizard-study","title":"Long-Term Lizard Study Challenges the Rules of Evolutionary Biology"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/winners-seed-grant-challenge-climate-solutions-announced","title":"Winners of the Seed Grant Challenge for Climate Solutions Announced"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/temperatures-climb-flying-insects-slower-migrate-cooler-elevations","title":"As Temperatures Climb, Flying Insects Slower to Migrate to Cooler Elevations"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/19932","title":"\u2018Living Fossil\u2019 Lizards Are Constantly Evolving\u2014You Just Can\u2019t See It"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/19858","title":"Evolution: Fast or Slow? Lizards Help Resolve a Paradox."}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"276","name":"Awards"},{"id":"12240","name":"faculty awards"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"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 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Davy@britishecologicalsociety.org\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDavy Falkner\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMedia Relations Officer\u003Cbr\u003EBritish Ecological Society\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674610":{"#nid":"674610","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tropical Revelations: Unearthing the Impacts of Hydrological Sensitivity on Global Rainfall","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/he-dr-jie\u0022\u003EJie He\u003C\/a\u003E set out to predict how rainfall will change as Earth\u2019s atmosphere continues to heat up. In the process, he made some unexpected discoveries that might explain how greenhouse gas emissions will impact tropical oceans, affecting climate on a global scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is not a story with just one punch line,\u201d said He, assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, whose most recent work appeared in the journal \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41558-024-01982-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature Climate Change\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cI didn\u2019t really expect to find anything this interesting\u2014there were a few surprises.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe is principal investigator of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/he.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EClimate Modeling and Dynamics Group\u003C\/a\u003E, which combines expertise in physics, mathematics, and computer science to study climate change. The team\u2019s latest study, a collaboration with Mississippi State University and Princeton University, examines hydrological sensitivity in the planet\u2019s three tropical basins: the central portions of both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and most of the Indian Ocean, an equatorial belt girding the Earth between the Tropic of Cancer (north) and Tropic of Capricorn (south).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHydrological sensitivity (HS) refers to the precipitation change per degree of surface warming. Hydrological sensitivity is a key metric researchers use in evaluating or predicting how rainfall will respond to future climate change. Positive HS indicates a wetter climate, while negative HS indicates a drier climate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe projection of hydrological sensitivity and future precipitation has been widely investigated, but most studies look at global averages \u2014 nobody had yet looked closely at each individual basin,\u201d He said. \u201cAnd the real impact on global climate change will come from the regional scale.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn other words, what happens in tropical waters has far-reaching effects.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELong Reach of the Tropics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe wanted to specifically examine the tropical basins because they already have a well-known influence on remote locations: El Ni\u00f1os and La Ni\u00f1as. These weather patterns that shift every couple of years are examples of tropical oceanic precipitation changes that have a global impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese precipitation changes create heating and cooling in the atmosphere that set off atmospheric waves affecting remote climates across the globe,\u201d He said. During El Ni\u00f1o winters, for example, the southeastern U.S. typically gets more precipitation than usual.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut El Ni\u00f1os and La Ni\u00f1as are naturally occurring, whereas the tropical precipitation changes He identified are projected as outcomes of human-induced global warming \u2014 a simulation, part of a climate model.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClimate models are an essential tool for He and other researchers, who use them to simulate possible future scenarios. These are computer programs that rely on complex math equations to project the atmospheric interactions of energy and matter likely to occur across the planet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat surprised He was the substantial difference in HS between tropical basins. Essentially, in He\u2019s model the Pacific tropical basin has an HS more than twice as large as the Indian basin, with the Atlantic basin projected as a negative value.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was surprising because these differences can\u2019t be explained by the mainstream theories on tropical precipitation changes,\u201d He said. \u201cIn other words, none of the theories we knew would have predicted it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EModeling the Sensitive Future\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe effects of such diverging hydrological sensitivity would be widespread, according to He. For example, his experiments suggest that the continental U.S. will get wetter, and the Amazon will become drier.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf these model projections are true, these effects will materialize as the climate continues to warm,\u201d said He, who can\u2019t predict exactly how long it will be before these effects can be detected in actual observations of our three-dimensional world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s because they only have reliable observations of oceanic tropical precipitation since 1979. Precipitation changes over decades are strongly affected by internal climate variability \u2014 that is, climate change that isn\u2019t caused by humans. When human-induced precipitation changes are significantly greater than internal climate variability, we should be able to detect the wide-ranging effects of diverging hydrological sensitivity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the challenges of continuing climate change do not allow the luxury of waiting until every aspect of climate projection becomes a reality, He noted, adding, \u201cWe are relying on climate projections to some extent to guide our adaptation and mitigation plans. Therefore, it is important to study and understand the climate projections.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBased on the scenario projected by climate models used in He\u2019s research, the effects of El Ni\u00f1os and La Ni\u00f1as on remote climates will become stronger.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat we can imply is that this strengthening would be partly due to the diverging HS among tropical basins,\u201d He concluded.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the future effects of HS on El Ni\u00f1os and La Ni\u00f1as weren\u2019t discussed in this study, He believes it would make a very interesting research subject going forward.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher Jie He investigated how rainfall will change as Earth\u2019s atmosphere heats up, leading to unexpected discoveries about hydrological sensitivity in tropical basins.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researcher investigates how rainfall will change as Earth\u2019s atmosphere heats up."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-05-09 03:38:08","changed_gmt":"2024-08-30 16:55:02","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673964":{"id":"673964","type":"image","title":"Jie He","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJie He, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, wants to predict how rainfall will change in the presence of continuing climate change. \u0026nbsp;\u2014 Photo by Jerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1715224311","gmt_created":"2024-05-09 03:11:51","changed":"1715225596","gmt_changed":"2024-05-09 03:33:16","alt":"Jie He","file":{"fid":"257425","name":"JieHe.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/08\/JieHe.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/08\/JieHe.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4217463,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/08\/JieHe.jpg?itok=nbSrN8EX"}}},"media_ids":["673964"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"831","name":"climate change"},{"id":"188259","name":"rainfall"},{"id":"182531","name":"Global Warming And The Environment"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"}],"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=\u0022jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675814":{"#nid":"675814","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants Awarded","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ctl.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ECenter for Teaching and Learning\u003C\/a\u003E (CTL) is pleased to announce the recipients of the third round of Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grant. Recipients from this round represent four colleges and 13 schools, with total support exceeding $144,000. The grants aim to transform instruction using the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/goals\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goals\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (UN SDGs).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese awards advance Georgia Tech\u2019s Strategic Plan to connect globally and amplify impact by contributing to global efforts that advance the U.N. SDGs through our education, research, and service,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003ERebecca Watts Hull\u003C\/strong\u003E, assistant director of Faculty Development for Sustainability Education Initiatives. \u201cHuge thanks to Sustainability Next for funding these grants and to the Undergraduate Sustainability Education Committee (USEC) for managing them.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll three rounds of grant-funded projects feature high enrollment and core courses, significantly expanding the reach of Georgia Tech\u2019s sustainability-across-the-curriculum initiatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESchool of Physics Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/flavio-fenton\u0022\u003EFlavio Fenton\u003C\/a\u003E is one of the third-round recipients, working with School of Physics Academic Professional \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/emily-alicea-munoz\u0022\u003EEmily Alicea-Mu\u00f1oz\u003C\/a\u003E to integrate the UN SDGs into a computational physics course. For Fenton, sustainability education is a vital part of addressing today\u2019s challenges. \u201cIn an era marked by unprecedented technological advancement and pressing environmental concerns and complex global challenges ranging from climate change to socioeconomic inequality, addressing these issues demands interdisciplinary solutions and a profound understanding of the interconnectedness between science, society, and the environment,\u201d said Fenton. In their computational physics course, he and Alicea-Mu\u00f1oz will develop cutting-edge educational resources that blend concepts with real world applications using the UN SDGs. \u201cThrough the creation of interactive codes, simulations, and learning modules, we envision a transformative learning experience that empowers students to apply their theoretical knowledge to address pressing global energy challenges,\u201d he said. Fenton also noted that they plan to present the software programs and modules developed through this project at the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) conference, expanding access to other physics courses and teachers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGrant recipients are encouraged to join the Community of Practice on Transformative Teaching with the SDGs. More than 30 faculty members participate in the Community of Practice, meeting regularly to present works in progress, get peer feedback, share resources, and develop strategies to engage more faculty and students in sustainability education.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cParticipating in this grant program was a wonderful learning experience, not just for my students but also for myself,\u201d said HyunJoo Oh, assistant professor in Industrial Design and Interactive Computing. Oh was a second-round grant recipient focused on sustainable design principles like prototyping smart products, environmentally responsive design, and the circular economy. \u201cThe program provided me with valuable resources and motivation to push myself further. Participating in the Community of Practice on Transformative Teaching with the SDGs was also inspiring. It was wonderful to meet colleagues from different units across campus who share the same passion for sustainability.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIngeborg Rocker, 2023-24 USEC chair, noted that the grant program fosters Georgia Tech\u2019s mission to \u201cdevelop leaders who advance technology and improve the human\u0026nbsp;condition,\u201d\u0026nbsp;which depends on social,\u0026nbsp;environmental\u0026nbsp;and economic sustainability. \u201cUSEC advances cross-disciplinary curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities that foster the next generation of sustainability leaders.\u201d Matthew Reallf, incoming USEC chair, added \u201cthese grants enable Georgia Tech faculty to couple their creative talents with Tech\u2019s strategic plan to develop exceptional leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact. Supporting diverse faculty with the resources to explore these opportunities is a privilege.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELearn more about sustainability education at Georgia Tech through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sustainabilitynext-plan\/\u0022\u003ESustainability Next Plan\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-climate-action-plan\/\u0022\u003EClimate Action Plan\u003C\/a\u003E. Want to get involved? Contact Matthew Realff, chair, for more information about the Undergraduate Sustainability Education Committee or reach out to Rebecca Watts Hull for support with sustainability and SDG course design or redesign.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch6\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETo view the list of recipients and projects, visit \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/blog.ctl.gatech.edu\/2024\/07\/16\/sustainability-education-innovation-grants-awarded\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECTL\u0027s blog\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/h6\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Three College of Sciences faculty members are among the awardees"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECollege of Sciences faculty are among the recipients of the third round of Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants awarded by the Center for Teaching and Learning.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"College of Sciences faculty are among the recipients of the third round of Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants awarded by the Center for Teaching and Learning."}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2024-08-06 19:33:46","changed_gmt":"2024-08-14 21:11:11","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-08-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-08-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673578":{"id":"673578","type":"image","title":"Tech Tower and Atlanta Skyline","body":null,"created":"1712003668","gmt_created":"2024-04-01 20:34:28","changed":"1712003668","gmt_changed":"2024-04-01 20:34:28","alt":"Tech Tower against the Atlanta skyline.","file":{"fid":"256989","name":"13C10000-P14-016-Web Use - 1,000px Wide.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/01\/13C10000-P14-016-Web%20Use%20-%201%2C000px%20Wide.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/01\/13C10000-P14-016-Web%20Use%20-%201%2C000px%20Wide.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":512285,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/01\/13C10000-P14-016-Web%20Use%20-%201%2C000px%20Wide.jpg?itok=iPuhon6a"}},"545911":{"id":"545911","type":"image","title":"Flavio Fenton","body":null,"created":"1466427600","gmt_created":"2016-06-20 13:00:00","changed":"1475895338","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:55:38","alt":"Flavio Fenton","file":{"fid":"217692","name":"flavio_fenton_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/flavio_fenton_0_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/flavio_fenton_0_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5819,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/flavio_fenton_0_1.jpg?itok=sEW6qgMY"}},"674522":{"id":"674522","type":"image","title":" Emily Alicea-Mu\u00f1oz","body":null,"created":"1723063670","gmt_created":"2024-08-07 20:47:50","changed":"1723063670","gmt_changed":"2024-08-07 20:47:50","alt":"Portrait of Emily Alicea-Mu\u00f1oz","file":{"fid":"258065","name":"ealiceam-768x768.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/07\/ealiceam-768x768.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/07\/ealiceam-768x768.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":80953,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/08\/07\/ealiceam-768x768.jpeg?itok=s8uHQUgl"}},"674521":{"id":"674521","type":"image","title":"Pamela Pollet of the School of Chemistry (middle) with students Diya Godavarti and Waynell Simbafo; Pollet along with Jenny Houlroyd of Safety, Health, Environmental Services received a grant for the project \u0022Chemical Equity Initiative\u0022.","body":null,"created":"1723062907","gmt_created":"2024-08-07 20:35:07","changed":"1723581977","gmt_changed":"2024-08-13 20:46:17","alt":"Pamela Pollet of the School of Chemistry (middle) with students Diya Godavarti and Waynell Simbafo; Pollet along with Jenny Houlroyd of Safety, Health, Environmental Services received a grant for the project \u0022Chemical Equity Initiative\u0022.","file":{"fid":"258064","name":"VIP 3-30-24 0127-L.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/07\/VIP%203-30-24%200127-L.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/07\/VIP%203-30-24%200127-L.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":114903,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/08\/07\/VIP%203-30-24%200127-L.jpg?itok=h21xCrPB"}}},"media_ids":["673578","545911","674522","674521"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-chemistry-students-place-second-competitive-vip-poster-contest","title":"Georgia Tech Chemistry Students Place Second in Competitive VIP Poster Contest"},{"url":"https:\/\/blog.ctl.gatech.edu\/2024\/07\/16\/sustainability-education-innovation-grants-awarded\/","title":"Center for Sustainability Across the Curriculum"},{"url":"https:\/\/ctl.gatech.edu\/","title":"Center for Teaching and Learning"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"166937","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"166928","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"172443","name":"Center for Teaching and Learning"},{"id":"192583","name":"Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants"}],"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=\u0022https:\/\/blog.ctl.gatech.edu\/author\/bharris317\/\u0022\u003EBethany Harris\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECenter for Teaching and Learning\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["bethany.harris@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675712":{"#nid":"675712","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Yellow Jacket on Mars ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen the door to the Mars Dune Alpha habitat at NASA\u0027s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, closed behind the crew members of the first Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission, Georgia Tech graduate Ross Brockwell was transported 152 million simulated miles to the Red Planet.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the next 378 days, Brockwell, a 1999 civil engineering graduate, and three other crew members participated in the study designed to gain insights into the challenges of deep space exploration and its effects on human health and performance. The crew performed robotic operations, habitat maintenance, agricultural activities, and simulated surface walks in the \u0022sandbox\u0022 with the assistance of virtual reality while enduring intentional resource limitations, isolation, and confinement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/beds1.jpg\u0022 data-align=\u0022center\u0022 data-entity-uuid=\u0022d382a175-cdb9-4af6-bd3e-e50a6cbacb2e\u0022 data-entity-type=\u0022file\u0022 alt=\u0022Mars habitat\u0022 width=\u00221280\u0022 height=\u0022856\u0022 data-caption=\u0022Mars habitat\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA structural engineer by day, he has always dreamed of space travel, and when a fellow Yellow Jacket alerted Brockwell to the application for the CHAPEA mission, he seized the opportunity.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Sometimes, you get chances in your lifetime, and if I don\u0027t get a chance to actually go to Mars, if I can take this chance to help us get there as a planet, I\u0027m honored,\u0022 he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce inside the 1,700-square-foot habitat, Brockwell\u0027s role as the CHAPEA mission\u0027s flight engineer focused on infrastructure, building design, and organizational leadership. As much as he learned from his tasks throughout the mission, like anticipating possible failure points and contingency planning, NASA learned even more through physical and cognitive monitoring. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022There was a lot of science, but some of the science was focused on us as the participants \u2014 our physiology and our performance \u2014 to make the mission as realistic as possible,\u0022 he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunication is a key element in space travel. Getting a message from Mars back to family and friends or mission control on Earth took 20 minutes on average for the crew inside the habitat, testing their ability to isolate. Without constant communication with the outside world, the crew fostered camaraderie through team activities and celebrated birthdays and holidays together. Brockwell\u0027s ingenuity wasn\u0027t limited to official tasks; he used a 3D printer to create a bracket for mounting a mini-basketball hoop. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeals inside the habitat mirrored the shelf-stable food system of the International Space Station. While cultivated crops like tomatoes supplemented their main supply, Brockwell says there is a common misconception about astronaut food. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I say with all sincerity, it was delicious.\u0022 His favorite dish was a peanut chicken and wild rice mix, but the crew often got creative by mixing soups and proteins to create new dishes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther than the food, the biggest surprise to Brockwell was how quickly the mission was completed.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I hoped and thought it would be that way, but we proved that a well-comprised crew can have a good time while doing this. There were a lot of clich\u00e9d expectations that there would be issues that we just didn\u0027t have. I think we demonstrated that a mission like this can be a huge success and an enjoyable, positive experience, not just something to be endured,\u0022 he said. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBrockwell says that his time at Georgia Tech allowed him to learn the fundamentals of engineering principles and taught him to keep an open mind when exploring how things work. After receiving a master\u0027s degree in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology and completing the CHAPEA mission, he believes systems engineering can aid deep space exploration efforts for the next generation. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Thinking about the effect of every component on every other component and the emergent properties from complex systems is crucial. I think that systems thinking is going to become increasingly important. Ecology and ecological thinking need to be part of it, especially for aerospace. If you\u0027re thinking about deep space exploration, an understanding of ecological principles and closed-loop systems will be key,\u0022 he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the end of the mission, Brockwell savored the sights and smells of Earth for the first time in over a year, saying that\u0027s what he missed the most. But if the opportunity arose to take the 152-million-mile flight to Mars, he\u0027d be on the first ship out. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech alum has emerged after living in a simulated Mars habitat at the Johnson Space Center in Houston for the past year. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech alum has emerged after living in a simulated Mars habitat at the Johnson Space Center in Houston for the past year.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech alum has emerged after living in a simulated Mars habitat at the Johnson Space Center in Houston for the past year. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2024-07-31 21:03:35","changed_gmt":"2024-08-01 13:37:39","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-07-31T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-07-31T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674462":{"id":"674462","type":"image","title":"Ross Brockwell exiting the Mars Dune Alpha habitat at NASA\u0027s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERoss Brockwell exiting the Mars Dune Alpha habitat at NASA\u0027s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo credit: NASA\/CHAPEA\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1722460075","gmt_created":"2024-07-31 21:07:55","changed":"1722460075","gmt_changed":"2024-07-31 21:07:55","alt":"Ross Brockwell exiting the Mars Dune Alpha habitat at NASA\u0027s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.","file":{"fid":"257984","name":"jsc2024e044182.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/31\/jsc2024e044182.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/31\/jsc2024e044182.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4829251,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/31\/jsc2024e044182.jpg?itok=CoEByvXI"}}},"media_ids":["674462"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"1325","name":"aerospace"},{"id":"169176","name":"life on mars"},{"id":"167098","name":"space exploration"},{"id":"2479","name":"deep space mission"},{"id":"408","name":"NASA"}],"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E - Institute Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674725":{"#nid":"674725","#data":{"type":"news","title":"From Brewery to Biofilter: Making Yeast-Based Water Purification Possible","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen looking for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to clean up contaminated water and soil, Georgia Tech researchers \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/patritsia-stathatou\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricia Stathatou\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/christos-e-athanasiou\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristos Athanasiou\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E turned to yeast. A cheap byproduct from fermentation processes \u2014 e.g., something your local brewery discards in mass quantities after making a batch of beer \u2014 yeast is widely known as an effective biosorbent. Biosorption is a mass transfer process by which an ion or molecule binds to inactive biological materials through physicochemical interactions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen they \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s43247-022-00463-0\u0022\u003Einitially studied this process\u003C\/a\u003E, Stathatou and Athanasiou found that yeast can effectively and rapidly remove trace lead \u2014 at challenging initial concentrations below one part per million \u2014 from drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods either fail to eliminate lead at these low levels or result in high financial and environmental costs to do so. In a paper published today in \u003Cem\u003ERSC Sustainability\u003C\/em\u003E, the researchers show how this process can be scaled.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf you put yeast directly into water to clean it, you will need an additional treatment step to remove the yeast from the water afterward,\u201d said Stathatou, a research scientist at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/rbi\u0022\u003ERenewable Bioproducts Institute\u003C\/a\u003E and an incoming assistant professor at the \u003Ca href=\u0022chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cTo implement this process at scale without requiring additional separation steps, the yeast cells need a housing.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAdditionally, because yeast is abundant\u2014 in some cases, brewers even pay companies to haul it away as a waste byproduct \u2014 this process gives the yeast a second life,\u201d said Athanasiou, an assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022ae.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt\u2019s a plentiful low, or even negative, value resource, making this purification process inexpensive and scalable.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo develop a housing for the yeast, Stathatou and Athanasiou partnered with MIT chemical engineers Devashish Gokhale and Patrick S. Doyle. Gokhale and Stathatou are the lead authors of this new study that demonstrates the yeast water purification process\u2019s scalability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe decided to make these hollow capsules\u2014 analogous to a multivitamin pill \u2014 but instead of filling them up with vitamins, we fill them up with yeast cells,\u201d Gokhale said. \u201cThese capsules are porous, so the water can go into the capsules and the yeast are able to bind all of that lead, but the yeast themselves can\u2019t escape into the water.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe yeast-laden capsules are sufficiently large, about half a millimeter in diameter, for easy separation from water by gravity. This means they can be used to make packed-bed bioreactors or biofilters, with contaminated water flowing through these hydrogel-encased yeast cells and coming out clean.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStathatou and Athanasiou envision using these hydrogel yeast capsules in small biofilters consumers can put on their kitchen faucets, or biofilters large enough to fit municipal or industrial wastewater treatment systems. But to enable such scalability, the yeast-laden capsules\u2019 ability to withstand the force generated by water flowing inside such systems needed to be studied as well.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo determine this, Athanasiou tested the capsules\u2019 mechanical robustness, which is how strong and sturdy they are in the presence of waterflow forces. He found they can withstand forces like those generated by water running from a faucet, or even flows like those in water treatment plants that serve a few hundred homes. \u201cIn previous attempts to scale up biosorption with similar approaches, lack of mechanical robustness has been a common cause of failure,\u201d Athanasiou said. \u201cWe wanted to make sure our work addressed this issue from the very beginning to ensure scalability.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAfter assessing the mechanical robustness of the yeast-laden capsules, we made a prototype biofilter using a 10-ml syringe,\u201d Stathatou explained. \u201cThe initial lead concentration of water entering the biofilter was 100 parts per billion; we demonstrated that the biofilter could treat the contaminated water, meeting EPA drinking water guidelines, while operating continuously for 12 days.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers hope to identify ways to isolate and collect specific contaminants left behind in the filtering yeast, so those too can be used for other purposes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cApart from lead, which is widely used in systems for energy generation and storage, this process could be used to remove and recover other metals and rare earth elements as well,\u201d Athanasiou said. \u201cThis process could even be useful in space mining or other space applications.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey also would like to find a way to keep reusing the yeast. \u201cBut even if we can\u2019t reuse yeast indefinitely, it is biodegradable,\u201d Stathatou noted. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t need to be put into an industrial composter or sent to a landfill. It can be left on the ground, and the yeast will naturally decompose over time, contributing to nutrient cycling.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis circular approach aims to reduce waste and environmental impact, while also creating economic opportunities in local communities. Despite numerous lead contamination incidents across the U.S., the team\u2019s successful biosorption method notably could benefit low-income areas historically burdened by pollution and limited access to clean water, offering a cost-effective remediation solution. \u201cWe think there\u2019s an interesting environmental justice aspect to this, especially when you start with something as low-cost and sustainable as yeast, which is essentially available anywhere,\u201d Gokhale says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoving forward, Stathatou and Athanasiou are exploring other uses for their hydrogel-yeast purification method. The researchers are optimistic that, with modifications, this process can be used to remove additional inorganic and organic contaminants of emerging concern, such as PFAS \u2014 or \u201cforever\u201d chemicals \u2014 from the water or the ground.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECitation: Devashish Gokhale, Patritsia M. Stathatou, Christos E. Athanasiou, and Patrick S. Doyle, \u201cYeast-laden Hydrogel Capsules for Scalable Trace Lead Removal from Water,\u201d \u003Cem\u003ERSC Sustainability\u003C\/em\u003E. DOI:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFunding: Patricia Stathatou was supported by funding from the Renewable Bioproducts Institute at Georgia Tech. Devashish Gokhale was supported by the Rasikbhai L. Meswani Fellowship for Water Solutions and the MIT Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and MIT researchers have developed a novel water purification technique using hydrogel capsules filled with brewer\u2019s yeast, a cost-effective biosorbent, to remove trace lead from contaminated water. Their study demonstrates this purification method\u0027s potential for large-scale application.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A team of Georgia Tech and MIT researchers found that discarded brewer\u2019s yeast, when encased in hydrogel capsules, becomes a viable and inexpensive method for purifying contaminated water."}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2024-05-15 00:33:33","changed_gmt":"2024-06-10 20:29:32","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674026":{"id":"674026","type":"image","title":"Patricia Stathatou\u00a0and Christos Athanasiou","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPatricia Stathatou\u0026nbsp;and Christos Athanasiou at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1715863722","gmt_created":"2024-05-16 12:48:42","changed":"1715863826","gmt_changed":"2024-05-16 12:50:26","alt":"Patricia Stathatou\u00a0and Christos Athanasiou","file":{"fid":"257490","name":"PatriciaStathatou-ChristosAthanasiou.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/16\/PatriciaStathatou-ChristosAthanasiou.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/16\/PatriciaStathatou-ChristosAthanasiou.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1016246,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/16\/PatriciaStathatou-ChristosAthanasiou.png?itok=Dgeo8ADS"}},"674012":{"id":"674012","type":"image","title":"Patricia Stathatou","body":null,"created":"1715777548","gmt_created":"2024-05-15 12:52:28","changed":"1733765817","gmt_changed":"2024-12-09 17:36:57","alt":"Picture of Patricia Stathatou wearing a white lab coat and blue latex gloves, holding a syringe and test tube","file":{"fid":"257476","name":"Patricia.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/Patricia.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/Patricia.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":314192,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/15\/Patricia.jpeg?itok=LtOu_3RZ"}},"674013":{"id":"674013","type":"image","title":"Christos Athanasiou","body":null,"created":"1715777683","gmt_created":"2024-05-15 12:54:43","changed":"1715777776","gmt_changed":"2024-05-15 12:56:16","alt":"Headshot of Christos Athanasiou in his lab, wearing a white collared shirt and white lab coat","file":{"fid":"257477","name":"Christos.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/Christos.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/Christos.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":171087,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/15\/Christos.jpeg?itok=cIIhMaqr"}},"674014":{"id":"674014","type":"image","title":"Packed-bed biofilter filled with yeast-laden hydrogels","body":null,"created":"1715777827","gmt_created":"2024-05-15 12:57:07","changed":"1715777992","gmt_changed":"2024-05-15 12:59:52","alt":"Image of a kitchen faucet with a small filter that contains yeast-laden hydrogels. The filter is on the end of the faucet and there is water flowing through it into the sink.","file":{"fid":"257478","name":"Packed-bed filter with yeast-laden hydrogels.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/Packed-bed%20filter%20with%20yeast-laden%20hydrogels.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/Packed-bed%20filter%20with%20yeast-laden%20hydrogels.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5223782,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/15\/Packed-bed%20filter%20with%20yeast-laden%20hydrogels.png?itok=0jalW0dM"}}},"media_ids":["674026","674012","674013","674014"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/jeffkart\/2022\/06\/13\/beer-byproduct-can-filter-lead-from-drinking-water\/?sh=1391bcc81f5e","title":"Beer Byproduct Can Filter Lead From Drinking Water"}],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188020","name":"go-rbi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"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\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.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":""}},"674971":{"#nid":"674971","#data":{"type":"news","title":"VIP Tackles Grid Resilience with Real-Time Power Outage Tracker ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0027s new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.vip.gatech.edu\/teams\/vyg\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGROWER VIP\u003C\/a\u003E is creating the country\u0027s most comprehensive real-time power outage tracker for research use.\u0026nbsp;The database will help researchers explore questions about the causes and effects of power outages and how policy interventions can help strengthen grid resilience.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy now?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis understanding is urgent in the wake of increasingly extreme climate change-driven weather events and natural disasters, as well as the federal government\u2019s investment of more than $15 billion in grid modernization under the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe database will help researchers learn more about the causes of outages and their societal impacts, such as on housing prices, business activity, public health, and crime. It will also help them obtain greater insight into which communities experience the most frequent and longest outages and what can be done to help.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow does it work?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUtility companies report real-time power outages, but the data is fractured across different service territories and states.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUsers can\u2019t download data directly, making the information difficult to use for research and evaluation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBecause of this, it\u0027s hard for researchers and agencies to understand the extent and scope of problems with the energy grid.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo address these challenges, the GROWER team developed algorithms and web scrapers. They use Amazon Web Services to crawl the utility websites every 15 minutes and collect the power outage data for many states in one place.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWho\u2019s Involved?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Grid Resilience, Outage, Weather, and Emergency Response (GROWER) Lab is a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.vip.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EVertically Integrated Project\u003C\/a\u003E launched in 2024 by faculty and students in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and the College of Engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/c9f0cadc-5bb4-5b6f-9eca-bd38a9233993\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBrian Y. An,\u003C\/a\u003E an assistant professor in the School of Public Policy, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/constance-crozier\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EConstance Crozier,\u003C\/a\u003E an assistant professor in the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, lead the project alongside John Kim, the lab manager and a public policy Ph.D. student. The group includes 15 students in computer science, city and regional planning, business, public policy, and industrial systems and engineering programs.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat\u2019s Next?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe GROWER team has already begun applying findings from the dataset to research questions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey are writing a paper based on data showing that racial and ethnic minorities experience more frequent and longer power outages than other groups and have also begun examining the effects of power outages on crime and medical emergencies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis summer, they will partner with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to provide technical assistance to the Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office, which is the lead federal agency administering grid modernization grants.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is incredibly rewarding to connect with research groups in and out of Georgia Tech who share this vision with us,\u201d An said. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to conduct robust research that will inform real-word policy making across the country.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The database will help researchers explore questions about the causes and effects of power outages and how policy interventions can help strengthen grid resilience. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe database will help researchers explore questions about the causes and effects of power outages and how policy interventions can help strengthen grid resilience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The database will help researchers explore questions about the causes and effects of power outages and how policy interventions can help strengthen grid resilience. "}],"uid":"35766","created_gmt":"2024-06-03 14:37:57","changed_gmt":"2024-06-10 15:42:43","author":"dminardi3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-06-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-06-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674122":{"id":"674122","type":"image","title":"GROWER.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;Students in the GROWER VIP on a site visit to Cobb EMC, a non-profit electric utility company, this spring.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1717426056","gmt_created":"2024-06-03 14:47:36","changed":"1717426570","gmt_changed":"2024-06-03 14:56:10","alt":"Students in Georgia Tech\u0027s GROWER VIP on a site visit to Cobb EMC in Spring 2024","file":{"fid":"257596","name":"GROWER.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/03\/GROWER.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/03\/GROWER.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1292506,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/06\/03\/GROWER.png?itok=eWtxzo-F"}}},"media_ids":["674122"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"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:dminardi3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EDi Minardi\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dminardi3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674810":{"#nid":"674810","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Harnessing AI to Reduce Food Insecurity in Africa ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/ioanna-maria-spyrou\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EIoanna Maria Spyrou\u003C\/a\u003E, a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Economics, uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to predict food insecurity in Africa.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe hopes the tool she\u2019s developing can help policymakers and community organizations implement more timely and targeted interventions to alleviate hunger on the continent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy now?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENearly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ifrc.org\/emergency\/africa-hunger-crisis\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E150 million people\u003C\/a\u003E in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to the amount and quality of food they need.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThis is primarily due to armed conflicts and more frequent droughts and natural disasters from climate change.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnderstanding which factors impact food shortages the most can help communities plan ahead, adapt to new weather patterns, and be more resilient.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESpyrou and her advisor, Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/shatakshee-dhongde\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EShatakshee Dhongde\u003C\/a\u003E in the School of Economics, are working with data from Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia and hope to eventually expand to include more countries.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat\u2019s new?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther algorithms incorporate machine learning and AI to predict when and where food shortages will occur.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, Dhongde and Spyrou\u2019s approach is unique because it uses recent data from 2020 to 2023 and includes additional predictors, such as monthly data on conflict, which can be a powerful driver of food insecurity in Africa.\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003E(The Africa Center for Strategic Studies says 82% of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/africacenter.org\/spotlight\/unresolved-conflicts-continue-to-drive-africas-food-crisis\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Epeople experiencing\u003C\/a\u003E hunger on the continent live in countries in conflict.). Changing weather patterns also means relying on historical data no longer gives accurate information.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy identifying which factors contribute most to food insecurity in different regions, we can adapt agricultural systems, try new strategies, and build stronger social networks and support systems,\u201d Spyrou said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat\u2019s next?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpyrou and Dhongde are working to determine how accurately they can predict food insecurity in Africa with these inputs, and they are optimistic about the results.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey hope the tool can eventually help policymakers, aid organizations, and communities do more with less.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAI enables us to analyze these large datasets quickly and accurately and create real-time predictions,\u0022 Dhongde said. \u0022The ultimate goal is to achieve food security and end a crisis that is getting worse and worse.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers in the School of Economics hope the tool they\u0027re developing can help policymakers and community organizations implement more timely and targeted interventions to alleviate hunger on the continent.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers in the School of Economics hope the tool they\u0027re developing can help policymakers and community organizations implement more timely and targeted interventions to alleviate hunger on the continent. "}],"uid":"35766","created_gmt":"2024-05-20 15:48:57","changed_gmt":"2024-05-21 17:28:01","author":"dminardi3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674040":{"id":"674040","type":"image","title":"Democractic Republic of the Congo.png","body":null,"created":"1716220598","gmt_created":"2024-05-20 15:56:38","changed":"1716220598","gmt_changed":"2024-05-20 15:56:38","alt":"Small Village in Green Hills at Congo River, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa","file":{"fid":"257506","name":"Democractic Republic of the Congo.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/20\/Democractic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/20\/Democractic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2495346,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/20\/Democractic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo.png?itok=0Q1A78uS"}}},"media_ids":["674040"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1282","name":"School of Economics"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"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:dminardi3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EDi Minardi\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dminardi3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674642":{"#nid":"674642","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Weaker Ocean Currents Lead to Decline in Nutrients for  North Atlantic Ocean Life During Prehistoric Climate Change, Research Shows","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have finished investigating how the prehistoric weakening of a major ocean current led to a decline in ocean nutrients and negative impacts on North Atlantic ocean life. The results support predictions about how our oceans might react to a changing climate \u2014 and what that means for ocean life.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe North Atlantic ocean is a hub of biological activity, due in large part to the Gulf Stream, which supplies a rich current of nutrients. Scientists have speculated that our changing climate may lead to a decline of nutrients and biological activity in the North Atlantic due to a weakening of the ocean circulation \u2014 but this theory has previously been supported only by models.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow, by studying sediments buried at the Gulf Stream\u2019s origin, the team has conducted a first-of-its-kind investigation into the impact of a similar climate-induced decline nearly 13,000 years ago, when Earth exited the last ice age.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe paper, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/science.adi5543\u0022\u003EA Diminished North Atlantic Nutrient Stream During Younger Dryas Climate Reversal\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d was published in \u003Cem\u003EScience\u003C\/em\u003E this week. Led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/jls.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJean Lynch-Stieglitz\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth of Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, the team also included Lynch-Stieglitz\u2019s past students: \u003Cstrong\u003ETyler Vollmer, Shannon Valley,\u003C\/strong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003EEric Blackmon\u003C\/strong\u003E, along with \u003Cstrong\u003ESifan Gu \u003C\/strong\u003E(Jiao Tong University School of Oceanography), and \u003Cstrong\u003EThomas Marchitto \u003C\/strong\u003E(University of Colorado, Boulder).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe research tests a concept that has previously only been explored in theory and models,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz says. \u201cThe large-scale Atlantic overturning circulation provides the nutrients that underly biological productivity in the North Atlantic.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESince the current is expected to continue weakening over the next century as a result of greenhouse gas emissions, researchers anticipate that the North Atlantic will receive fewer and fewer nutrients.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis concept has real-world implications for the future health of the oceans and fisheries,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz explains. Impacts range from a decline in fish populations to potentially impacting the amount of CO2 the ocean can uptake.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe dramatic climate changes the Earth has experienced in the past can help us understand what parts of the Earth system are vulnerable to change, and help us evaluate ideas about the impacts of the ongoing climate change,\u201d she adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAn unlikely mystery\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team studied the Younger Dryas, a period of time during the transition out of the last ice age when there was a weakening of the Atlantic circulation. By examining how the nutrient stream changed when circulation weakened in the past, the researchers hoped to better understand what we may expect from today\u0027s warming oceans.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever, the team didn\u2019t initially set out with this goal in mind \u2014 the work began as an undergraduate research project with an intriguing mystery. Eric Blackmon, then a student in Lynch-Stieglitz\u2019s lab, was interested in investigating the disappearance of a species of plankton from the North Atlantic Ocean during the last ice age.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe outcome of this study was puzzling,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz recalls. The team decided to use a rarely used technique to better understand the results. The method of reconstructing seawater oxygen concentration produced an unusually clear record of how oxygen concentration in the seawater had changed through time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur team realized that when combined with an earlier reconstruction of seawater chemistry, the technique provided key information on the history and mechanisms of nutrient delivery into the North Atlantic Ocean,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz says. \u201cWe set out to answer a small question, and along the way discovered our data has broader implications than we anticipated.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBeautiful tiny shells\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith this new technique, the team analyzed layers of sediment in the Florida Straits, a narrow passage between the Florida Keys and Cuba, where the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meet. By coring into these layers and taking a cylindrical sample, \u201cthe layers of accumulating sediments provide an environmental history at the site,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz explains. In this instance, \u201cwe looked at how the shells of single-celled organisms called \u003Cem\u003Eforaminifera\u003C\/em\u003E changed with time.\u201d Because \u003Cem\u003Eforaminifera \u003C\/em\u003Elive on the ocean floor, their shells accumulate within each layer of sediment, preserving important chemical signatures that can be used to reconstruct the chemistry of the ocean in which they resided.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is pretty amazing that ocean chemistry of the past can be reconstructed in such detail using beautiful, tiny shells,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz says.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe research showed that during the Younger Dryas, as the overturning circulation weakened, nutrients in the Gulf Stream decreased and the amount of oxygen in the Florida Straits increased. The team also found that as the nutrient stream decreased, the amount of biological productivity in the North Atlantic decreased as well.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe study represents an important development of the carbon isotope-based proxy for past oxygen concentrations,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz says. \u201cThe record is very clean, and the magnitude and timing of the changes in dissolved oxygen are mirrored to an astonishing degree in the phosphate reconstruction.\u201d\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBeyond climate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond these findings about how the ocean works, the team\u2019s study of \u003Cem\u003Eforaminifera \u003C\/em\u003Ealso provides new ways to understand how nutrients are cycled around the ocean, and how we investigate this. These windows into\u0026nbsp;how Earth\u2019s oceans changed in the past provide a critical tool for testing models, letting us better predict how our oceans and the resources they provide may respond to climate change in the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe physical changes in the earth system can have profound changes on life in the ocean, and far-reaching impacts,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz notes. \u201cClimate change is about more than climate,\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis study was supported by National Science Foundation grant OCE-1459563 (J.L.-S.) and National Science Foundation grant OCE-1851900 (J.L.-S.).\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003Ca href=\u0022science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/science.adi5543\u0022\u003Escience.org\/doi\/10.1126\/science.adi5543\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn a first-of-its kind study, Georgia Tech researchers have investigated how the prehistoric weakening of a major ocean current led to a decline in ocean nutrients and negative impacts on North Atlantic ocean life. The results support predictions about how our oceans might react to a changing climate \u2014 and what that means for ocean life.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" The study, lead by researchers at Georgia Tech, uncovers how weakening prehistoric ocean currents impacted North Atlantic nutrient levels and ocean life,\u00a0supporting predictions about how today\u0027s oceans might react to a changing climate."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-05-10 14:04:26","changed_gmt":"2024-05-10 18:14:21","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673977":{"id":"673977","type":"image","title":"Taking a sediment core from the Florida Straits.","body":null,"created":"1715350068","gmt_created":"2024-05-10 14:07:48","changed":"1715350068","gmt_changed":"2024-05-10 14:07:48","alt":"Taking a sediment core from the Florida Straits.","file":{"fid":"257439","name":"SedimentCore.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/10\/SedimentCore.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/10\/SedimentCore.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":230926,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/10\/SedimentCore.jpeg?itok=jD1DUnzB"}},"673975":{"id":"673975","type":"image","title":"\u201cIt is pretty amazing that ocean chemistry of the past can be reconstructed in such detail using beautiful, tiny shells,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz says.","body":null,"created":"1715350068","gmt_created":"2024-05-10 14:07:48","changed":"1715350068","gmt_changed":"2024-05-10 14:07:48","alt":"\u201cIt is pretty amazing that ocean chemistry of the past can be reconstructed in such detail using beautiful, tiny shells,\u201d Lynch-Stieglitz says.","file":{"fid":"257437","name":"TinyShells2.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/10\/TinyShells2.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/10\/TinyShells2.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":279559,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/10\/TinyShells2.jpeg?itok=Z3_5uqqN"}},"673976":{"id":"673976","type":"image","title":"Foraminifera shells accumulated within each layer of sediment, preserving important chemical signatures.","body":null,"created":"1715350068","gmt_created":"2024-05-10 14:07:48","changed":"1715350068","gmt_changed":"2024-05-10 14:07:48","alt":"Foraminifera shells accumulated within each layer of sediment, preserving important chemical signatures.","file":{"fid":"257438","name":"TinyBeautifulShells.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/10\/TinyBeautifulShells.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/10\/TinyBeautifulShells.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":134491,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/10\/TinyBeautifulShells.jpeg?itok=9_cMFy6e"}}},"media_ids":["673977","673975","673976"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/science.adi5543","title":"A diminished North Atlantic nutrient stream during Younger Dryas climate reversal"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"}],"core_research_areas":[],"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\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674443":{"#nid":"674443","#data":{"type":"news","title":"James Stroud Named Early Career Fellow by Ecological Society of America ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames T. Stroud \u003C\/strong\u003Ehas been named an Early Career Fellow by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.esa.org\u0022\u003EEcological Society of America\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.esa.org\/blog\/2024\/04\/30\/ecological-society-of-america-announces-2024-fellows\/\u0022\u003Ejoins the ranks\u003C\/a\u003E of nine newly appointed ESA Fellows and ten 2024-2028 ESA Early Career Fellows, elected for \u0022advancing the science of ecology and showing promise for continuing contributions\u0022 and recently confirmed by the organization\u0027s Governing Board.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EStroud, an Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, is an integrative evolutionary ecologist who investigates how ecological and evolutionary processes may underlie patterns of biological diversity at the macro-scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHe primarily \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/evolution-lizard-study\u0022\u003Estudies lizards\u003C\/a\u003E and his research is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/temperatures-climb-flying-insects-slower-migrate-cooler-elevations\u0022\u003Ehighly multidisciplinary\u003C\/a\u003E, combining field studies with macro-ecological and evolutionary comparative analyses. Stroud\u2019s current interests are particularly focused on measuring natural selection in the wild, often taking advantage of non-native lizards as natural experiments in ecology and evolution.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEarlier this month, Stroud presented his recent work at the inaugural College of Sciences \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/2024-frontiers-science-climate-action\u0022\u003EFrontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium\u003C\/a\u003E, joining more than \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-climate\u0022\u003E20 faculty experts and 100 stakeholders\u003C\/a\u003E from across all six colleges at Georgia Tech to discuss climate change, challenges, and solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EStroud joined the Georgia Tech faculty in August 2023. He earned a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Florida International University.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I am thrilled to recognize the exceptional contributions of our newly selected Fellows and Early Career Fellows,\u201d says ESA President \u003Cstrong\u003EShahid Naeem\u003C\/strong\u003E. \u201cTheir groundbreaking research, unwavering commitment to mentoring and teaching and advocacy for sound science in management and policy decisions have not only advanced ecological science but also inspired positive change within our community and beyond. We celebrate their achievements and eagerly anticipate the profound impacts they will continue to make in their careers.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EESA will formally acknowledge and celebrate its new Fellows for their exceptional achievements during a ceremony at ESA\u2019s 2024 Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout ESA Fellowships\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EESA established its Fellows program in 2012 with the goal of honoring its members and supporting their competitiveness and advancement to leadership positions in the Society, at their institutions, and in broader society. Past ESA Fellows and Early Career Fellows are listed on the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.esa.org\/about\/esa-fellows-program\/esa-fellows\/\u0022 id=\u0022OWAb825d058-c243-bc8d-bb7d-cb7c1c41e5bb\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.esa.org\/about\/esa-fellows-program\/esa-fellows\/\u0022\u003EESA Fellows page\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout ESA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Ecological Society of America, founded in 1915, is the world\u2019s largest community of professional ecologists and a trusted source of ecological knowledge, committed to advancing the understanding of life on Earth. The 8,000 member Society publishes \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esix journals and a membership bulletin\u003C\/a\u003E and broadly shares ecological information through policy, media outreach, and education initiatives. The Society\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.esa.org\/longbeach2024\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAnnual Meeting\u003C\/a\u003E attracts 4,000 attendees and features the most recent advances in ecological science. Visit the ESA website at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.esa.org\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.esa.org\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStroud,\u0026nbsp;an Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences, joins nine newly appointed Fellows and ten Early Career Fellows, elected for \u0022advancing the science of ecology and showing promise for continuing contributions\u0022 in the field.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Stroud joins nine newly appointed Fellows and ten ESA Early Career Fellows, elected for \u0022advancing the science of ecology and showing promise for continuing contributions\u0022 in the field. "}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2024-04-30 16:24:17","changed_gmt":"2024-04-30 16:32:47","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673890":{"id":"673890","type":"image","title":"James Stroud examines an anole (Day\u2019s Edge Productions)","body":null,"created":"1714494317","gmt_created":"2024-04-30 16:25:17","changed":"1714494317","gmt_changed":"2024-04-30 16:25:17","alt":"James Stroud examines an anole (Day\u2019s Edge Productions)","file":{"fid":"257341","name":"original_stroudresearchmiami_003_daysedgeprods.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/30\/original_stroudresearchmiami_003_daysedgeprods.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/30\/original_stroudresearchmiami_003_daysedgeprods.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":494176,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/30\/original_stroudresearchmiami_003_daysedgeprods.jpg?itok=cfKU82J9"}},"673891":{"id":"673891","type":"image","title":"James Stroud lassos a lizard.","body":null,"created":"1714494357","gmt_created":"2024-04-30 16:25:57","changed":"1714494357","gmt_changed":"2024-04-30 16:25:57","alt":"James Stroud lassos a lizard.","file":{"fid":"257342","name":"b-Original-StroudResearchMiami-009.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/30\/b-Original-StroudResearchMiami-009.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/30\/b-Original-StroudResearchMiami-009.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":104826,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/30\/b-Original-StroudResearchMiami-009.jpg?itok=WVC6Y21e"}}},"media_ids":["673890","673891"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/evolution-lizard-study","title":"Long-Term Lizard Study Challenges the Rules of Evolutionary Biology"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.esa.org\/blog\/2024\/04\/30\/ecological-society-of-america-announces-2024-fellows\/","title":"Ecological Society of America announces 2024 Fellows"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/temperatures-climb-flying-insects-slower-migrate-cooler-elevations","title":"As Temperatures Climb, Flying Insects Slower to Migrate to Cooler Elevations "},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/2024-frontiers-science-climate-action","title":"2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.quantamagazine.org\/evolution-fast-or-slow-lizards-help-resolve-a-paradox-20240102","title":"Quanta Magazine | Evolution: Fast or Slow? Lizards Help Resolve a Paradox."},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/living-fossil-lizards-are-constantly-evolving-you-just-cant-see-it\/","title":"Scientific American | \u2018Living Fossil\u2019 Lizards Are Constantly Evolving \u2014 You Just Can\u2019t See It"},{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/climate-change-is-already-forcing-lizards-insects-and-other-species-to-evolve-and-most-cant-keep-up-215222","title":"The Conversation | Climate change is already forcing lizards, insects and other species to evolve \u2013 and most can\u2019t keep up "},{"url":"https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/stroudlab\/","title":"The Stroud Lab at Georgia Tech"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"4320","name":"ecology"},{"id":"2262","name":"climate"},{"id":"3028","name":"evolution"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"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:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:mayda@esa.org\u0022\u003EMayda Nathan\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nEcological Society of America\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674307":{"#nid":"674307","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis Earth Month more than 100 campus and community stakeholders gathered near the Georgia Tech EcoCommons for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-climate\u0022\u003E2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOn April 18, the College of Sciences hosted more than 20 speakers and panelists from across the Institute and Atlanta community presenting groundbreaking research and discussing innovations and ideas in climate change, challenges, and solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech President \u003Cstrong\u003E\u00c1ngel Cabrera\u003C\/strong\u003E (M.S. PSY 1993, Ph.D. PSY 1995) kicked off the morning sessions by highlighting the Institute\u2019s new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/05\/climate-action-plan-provides-road-map-net-zero-emissions\u0022\u003EClimate Action Plan\u003C\/a\u003E, which outlines the pathway to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Cabrera\u2019s remarks focused on Georgia Tech\u2019s role on the frontlines of research and education informing how we respond to climate challenges \u2014 and noted that the Institute\u2019s work must extend beyond our laboratories and classrooms.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is essential that we not only do the science, but that we also tell that science to the world,\u201d Cabrera says.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInterdisciplinary inquiry\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis year, Frontiers in Science featured an array of climate research and initiatives led by the College of Sciences, fellow colleges across Georgia Tech, and the wider Atlanta community.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFollowing a three-year hiatus of the Frontiers series, the 2024 edition re-envisioned the signature annual event as a research conference and symposium to convene campus experts \u2014 and to incubate seed grant proposals to support the work of early career faculty.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFrontiers previously hosted Nobel laureates and invited thought leaders for individual talks across the College\u2019s six schools, and celebrated milestones like the International Year of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis year, we wanted to showcase what we are doing right here in the College of Sciences and throughout the Institute,\u201d says \u003Cstrong\u003ESusan Lozier\u003C\/strong\u003E, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. \u201cOur faculty are at the forefront of broadening our knowledgebase and uncovering solutions in areas critical to the planet and our well-being. We wanted to uplift that work and see what sort of connections could be made.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EConnections and collaboration were key themes of the day as faculty, staff, students, and alumni participants representing all six Georgia Tech colleges shared research results and ongoing work and discussed collaborative ideas for horizons ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cScientists alone cannot [create accurate models],\u201d noted \u003Cstrong\u003EAnnalisa Bracco\u003C\/strong\u003E, professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and associate chair for Research, who shared her own research alongside Lozier, who presented a version of her \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/susan_lozier_is_climate_change_slowing_down_the_ocean\u0022\u003E2024 TED Talk\u003C\/a\u003E on ocean overturning. \u201cEngineers alone cannot do it. We need social scientists, policy makers, communicators.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe importance of an interdisciplinary approach was reinforced by the\u0026nbsp;Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Tech (SEI)\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EBrook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u003C\/strong\u003E which announced an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/seibbissclimatechallenge\u0022\u003Einterdisciplinary seed grant funding\u003C\/a\u003E opportunity for assistant professors with ideas for new climate solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrontiers in focus\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAcross three themed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-climate\u0022\u003Esessions\u003C\/a\u003E, faculty and leadership from the Colleges of Sciences, Engineering, and Design spearheaded talks on the ocean and cryosphere, biodiversity, carbon cycling, coastal wetlands, biofuels production, and beyond.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPanels on climate challenges across community, technological, and policy initiatives were hosted by Georgia Tech Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research and Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry \u003Cstrong\u003EJulia Kubanek\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFollowing a networking lunch with climate table topics, Georgia Tech Executive Vice President for Research and Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering \u003Cstrong\u003EChaouki T. Abdallah\u003C\/strong\u003E (M.S. ECE 1982, Ph.D. ECE 1988) kicked off the afternoon sessions \u2014 which also announced the scholarship recipients of a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/climatevideocontest\u0022\u003Estudent video competition\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and featured videos with a pair of alumnae working in meteorology, climate research, and policy.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAfternoon highlights also included discussions on the Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sustainabilitynext-plan\/\u0022\u003ESustainability Next\u003C\/a\u003E initiative, led by \u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Chirico\u003C\/strong\u003E (B.S. MGMT 1997, Ph.D. PUBP 2011), associate vice president of Sustainability for Georgia Tech Infrastructure and Sustainability, and \u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Leavey\u003C\/strong\u003E (B.S. CHEM 1995), assistant dean for Faculty Mentoring in the College of Sciences and interim assistant director for Interdisciplinary Education in the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAlthough many of the presentations provided a stern outlook of the state of our ecosystems, the conference concluded with a sense of hope. This optimism was grounded in the range of opportunities that exist to address climate challenges \u2014 thanks, in part, to the body of knowledge and solutions being tested and explored by Georgia Tech researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAt the end of the day, \u003Cstrong\u003EKatie Griffin\u003C\/strong\u003E, a first year undergraduate student in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-georgia-tech-environmental-science-degree-launches\u0022\u003EEnvironmental Science\u003C\/a\u003E, read Amanda Gorman\u2019s poem \u003Cem\u003EEarthrise\u003C\/em\u003E and provided this reminder:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAll of us bring light to exciting solutions never tried before\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nFor it is our hope that implores us, at our uncompromising core,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nTo keep rising up for an earth more than worth fighting for.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EExperience the event in pictures with the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/gtsciences\/albums\/72177720316401948\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECollege of Sciences\u2019 Flickr account\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, and discover the highlights through the day\u2019s live tweets on \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/twitter.com\/GTSciences\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECollege of Sciences\u2019 X account\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E. \u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis Earth Month more than 100 campus and community stakeholders gathered near the Georgia Tech EcoCommons for the 2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium. On April 18, the College of Sciences hosted more than 20 speakers and panelists from across the Institute and Atlanta community presenting groundbreaking research and discussing innovations and ideas in climate change, challenges, and solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Inaugural College of Sciences research conference and symposium showcases Georgia Tech\u2019s contributions to climate research and solutions."}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2024-04-22 19:35:12","changed_gmt":"2024-04-23 16:23:40","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673802":{"id":"673802","type":"image","title":"Frontiers in Science Banner Outside at Sunrise","body":null,"created":"1713815897","gmt_created":"2024-04-22 19:58:17","changed":"1713821670","gmt_changed":"2024-04-22 21:34:30","alt":"Frontiers in Science Banner Outside at Sunrise","file":{"fid":"257242","name":"frontiers in science banner outside main doors at sunrise.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/frontiers%20in%20science%20banner%20outside%20main%20doors%20at%20sunrise.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/frontiers%20in%20science%20banner%20outside%20main%20doors%20at%20sunrise.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7141885,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/22\/frontiers%20in%20science%20banner%20outside%20main%20doors%20at%20sunrise.jpg?itok=vPgE5iia"}},"673809":{"id":"673809","type":"image","title":"Jenny McGuire","body":null,"created":"1713819926","gmt_created":"2024-04-22 21:05:26","changed":"1713821501","gmt_changed":"2024-04-22 21:31:41","alt":"Jenny McGuire","file":{"fid":"257251","name":"Frontiers in Science Jenny McGuire Presents.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Jenny%20McGuire%20Presents.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Jenny%20McGuire%20Presents.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4795581,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Jenny%20McGuire%20Presents.jpg?itok=inkbtEFf"}},"673806":{"id":"673806","type":"image","title":"Frontiers in Science Policy Discussion Panelists: Michelle Midanier, Valerie Thomas and Joe F. Bozeman III","body":null,"created":"1713819458","gmt_created":"2024-04-22 20:57:38","changed":"1713821607","gmt_changed":"2024-04-22 21:33:27","alt":"Frontiers in Science Policy Discussion Panelists: Michelle Midanier, Valerie Thomas and Joe F. Bozeman III","file":{"fid":"257247","name":"53671630866_a3c6f3a583_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/53671630866_a3c6f3a583_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/53671630866_a3c6f3a583_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8750938,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/22\/53671630866_a3c6f3a583_o.jpg?itok=N8o4cbZn"}},"673805":{"id":"673805","type":"image","title":"Frontiers in Science Participants","body":null,"created":"1713819380","gmt_created":"2024-04-22 20:56:20","changed":"1713821634","gmt_changed":"2024-04-22 21:33:54","alt":"Frontiers in Science Participants","file":{"fid":"257246","name":"Frontiers in Science Participants Conversation2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Participants%20Conversation2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Participants%20Conversation2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6014932,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Participants%20Conversation2.jpg?itok=aOTXfKKE"}},"673808":{"id":"673808","type":"image","title":"President \u00c1ngel Cabrera","body":null,"created":"1713819780","gmt_created":"2024-04-22 21:03:00","changed":"1713821547","gmt_changed":"2024-04-22 21:32:27","alt":"President \u00c1ngel Cabrera","file":{"fid":"257249","name":"Frontiers in Science President Cabrera.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20President%20Cabrera.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20President%20Cabrera.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8107933,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20President%20Cabrera.jpg?itok=HgeEV_zD"}},"673807":{"id":"673807","type":"image","title":"Susan Lozier, Julia Kubanek, L. Beril Toktay, and Tim Lieuwen","body":null,"created":"1713819617","gmt_created":"2024-04-22 21:00:17","changed":"1713826106","gmt_changed":"2024-04-22 22:48:26","alt":"Susan Lozier, Julia Kubanek, L. Beril Toktay, and Tim Lieuwen","file":{"fid":"257248","name":"Frontiers in Science Step and Repeat.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Step%20and%20Repeat.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Step%20and%20Repeat.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8698953,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/22\/Frontiers%20in%20Science%20Step%20and%20Repeat.jpg?itok=9-IgmPRP"}}},"media_ids":["673802","673809","673806","673805","673808","673807"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/frontiers-climate","title":"2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action - Program"},{"url":"https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-climate-action-plan\/#:~:text=Climate%20Action%20Plan-,Georgia%20Tech%20commits%20to%20reaching%20net%2Dzero%20emissions%20by%202050,of%20the%20Georgia%20Tech%20community.","title":"Georgia Tech\u0027s Climate Action Plan"},{"url":"https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/sustainabilitynext-plan\/","title":"Sustainability Next: Georgia Tech\u2019s Sustainability Plan"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"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":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"831","name":"climate change"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy: Lindsay Vidal\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}