2025 -2026 Annual Report Programs, Partnerships, and Funding that Deepens Engagement in the Sciences
A year of connection, access and momentum “C-PIES is here to help you connect more deeply with the Georgia Tech community.” Lewis A. Wheaton, PhD • Director, C-PIES E x p a nd i ng A cc es s + C u lt i va t in g W e ll - B e in g
The Center’s work expands opportunities for research, education and engagement while building inclusive programs, partnerships and funding pathways across the College of Sciences.
Impact at a glance
600+ student engagements
11 programs and events
3 impact areas Community building • science engagement • wellness and student success
C-PIES | 2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT
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Elevating graduate education 2 featured talks C-PIES presented within the “Building Community, Belonging, and Engagement” session, highlighting the flagship GradSTEP program at the Georgia Tech Graduate Education Summit.
We also want to highlight one of our Internal Advisory Board Members, Christine Stewart, Ph. D., who presented work on universal learning outcomes for graduate students.
Partnership spotlight C-PIES collaborates with Rising Tide, led by Alex Robel, Ph.D., with the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education to provide training for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows seeking faculty positions. C-PIES | 2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT
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Recruiting the Next Generation of Scientists
2
international conferences
~200 student contacts
Promoting Access to Graduate Programs Across the Entire College
Direct follow-through Every contact received communication from C-PIES and an introduction to graduate program coordinators who could address program-specific questions.
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Graduate fellows turn science into public good
4
$5K
Graduate Fellows
per fellow, per year
Local + digital + ecological impact Fellow Aniruddh Bakshi
(L-R) Nikolai Simonov, Katherine Slenker, Miriam Simma, Aniruddh Bakshi
Fellows are providing outreach to: • Schools enrolling over 3,400 students in the Atlanta-area • Global engagement through social media • Active engagement with state agencies and local nonprofits C-PIES | 2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT
Project Strengthening Trust in Science Katherine Slenker Creating a Biodiversity Data Network Miriam Simma Making Structural Biology Research More Accessible Nikola Simonov Mentoring Middle School Scientists
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Graduate Research Experience Awards Expand Opportunity Awardee
School
Dai, Tantan
Mathematics
Lumpkin, Kelly
Ocean Science & Engineering/Biological Sciences
Manley, Chloe
Biological Sciences
Mukherjee, Shreya
Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
Nath, Srinanda
Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
The Graduate Research Experience Award funds experiences to supplement dissertation research and strengthen career development.
Nogi, Allison
Biological Sciences
Rai, Anisha
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Rathi, Sumedh
Physics
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 awardees!
Renfro, Chloe
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Singh, Hargobind
Biological Sciences
Stepanoff, Sofia
Physics
Thomas, Rowan
Biological Sciences
13 Awardees
C-PIES | 2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT
Raudales Oseguera, David Physics
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Student Transfer Enrichment Program (STEP)
STEP Academic Support + Community Building + Peer Support
C-PIES | 2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT
STEP students have strong outcomes in academic success and community belonging compared to their CoS transfer peers • Engagement rose from 33% to 68% • The 2026-2027 goal is participation by every STEP student
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Need-based scholarships remove financial barriers
$28,000 distributed in scholarship support
For transfer students in their final year, the support filled unmet need and reduced the prospect of additional loans.
C-PIES | 2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT
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Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Award Programs Open High-Impact Research Pathways
Partnership spotlight NSF-supported summer experiences across the college brings undergraduate students from across the country to Georgia Tech laboratories for the summer. C-PIES hosts a graduate school fair and forum educating students on graduate school opportunities. C-PIES | 2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT
91.8% Of graduate school bound REU students placed at “Very High” federal research universities (>$500 mil in annual federal research expenditures)
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Thank you! We are excited about the growth of C-PIES and continued opportunities to support the College of Sciences community. Whether you are a student, faculty member, staff member, or simply someone with an interest in science and mathematics, we want you to know that CPIES is here to help you connect more deeply with the Georgia Tech community. If you were not familiar with our work, we hope this report provided a glimpse into the many programs, events, and initiatives that support research and education across the College of Sciences. We welcome your engagement and look forward to continuing to support the community. While we are proud of what we have accomplished, we are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead!
Want to support the work of C-PIES?
Contact us! C-PIES Director LAW@gatech.edu Director of Development dan.warren@cos.gatech.edu
-Lewis A. Wheaton, PhD • Director, C-PIES C-PIES | 2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT
GEORGIA TECH