June Newsletter
The OERI Procedures have been updated as of March 2024. You can visit the page HERE assword protected page Please ask your supervisor for the password
The OERI Procedures have been updated as of March 2024. You can visit the page HERE. This is a password protected page. Please ask your supervisor for the password
SocialMedia
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Employment Recognitions
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ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS RECOGNITION
May 1, 2025
OERI/VDMC’S Joseph Kosteczko received a 5years-of-service as an ODU state employee recognition from the ODU Association of University Administrators.
The Association of University Administrators was founded in 1990 to support the needs and interests of administrators and to promote and enhance the profession of University administration at ODU. The Association is involved with the concerns of University administrators and provides administrators with opportunities to grow professionally.
The Association supports the mission and integrity of Old Dominion University and seeks to enhance the image of the University.
Across OERI
Dr. Katie Smith Serves as University Mentor
VDMC’s Dr. Katie Smith recently served as a University Mentor for the Shenandoah Valley Computer Science Regional Partnership.
She gave a guest lecture on Machine Learning with Legos and will mentor students as they work on their capstone projects.
This is the fourth year that Dr. Smith has been participating with this program as a University Mentor During the program, high school students enroll in COS 120 at George Mason University and complete a capstone project which they present at the Innovations in Research Student Showcase.
To see the Machine Learning with Legos lecture, click HERE.
VDMC Hosts Virginia Maritime Association Maritime Leadership Certification Program Participants
May 14, 2025
VDMC hosted participants from the Virginia Maritime Association’s Maritime Leadership Certification Program (MLCP).
They enjoyed a powerful leadership presentation by VDMC Executive Director Mark Whitney, who shared insights from his 34+ years of experience leading and collaborating the U.S. Navy’s Fleet.
The group also received a guided tour of the SEALab, which featured hands-on programs and innovative, interactive activities that VDMC provides to middle and high school students throughout Hampton Roads to learn about the exciting career opportunities in the maritime industry.
Across OERI
National BBQ Day is observed annually on May 16 . It’s a day to celebrate the joy of outdoor cooking, gathering with friends and family, and enjoy the delicious, smoky barbecue flavors. OERI enjoyed some amazing barbecue from the Currituck BBQ Company in Barco, NC.
OERI Celebrates National BBQ Day May 16, 2025
While ODU main campus celebrated in their own way, OERI cooked up a special way for our building to recognize National BBQ Day with great food, good conversations, and bettercompany!
It was a pleasure to join in on the campus-widecelebration!
Across OERI
Dr. Safdar Bouk, with the Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems (CSICS), conducted a training session on the fundamentals of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). The CMMC model is designed to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) shared with defense contractors and subcontractors during contract performance
This was the second session of a 5-part cybersecurity training series, designed to empower small businesses with actionable strategies to protect their digital assets.
For information on upcoming training sessions, please contact Dr. Bouk at sbouk@odu.edu.
CMMC Training May 16, 2025
Norfolk Greek Festival
May 17, 2025
Did you know? OERI’s CTO and VISA’s Executive Director, Dr. Yiannis Papelis, has been volunteering at the Norfolk Greek Festival for many years.
OERI Simulation Developer, Virginia Zamponi, attended the festival as well and happened to see Dr. Papelis volunteering.
The Norfolk Greek Festival is a beloved annual celebration of Greek culture, heritage, and community, held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk, Virginia. For over 50 years, the festival has welcomed guests to enjoy authentic Greek food, traditional music and dancing, cultural exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment. It’s a vibrant showcase of Greek hospitality and a cherished local tradition that brings people together through the rich flavors and festive spirit of Greece.
Across OERI
VDMC Attends “Weld It, Build It, Sail It - Reimagined Maritime Career Festival” at the Nauticus May 18, 2025
Team members had a STEM station set up right outside the front doors of the Nauticus where people of all ages could design and build a barge out of everyday materials for a Sphero Bolt robot to tow a shipping container and then test it out on the AquaTrak
It was wonderful connecting with families and to help inspire the next generation of maritime professionals. Whether it’s welding, building, sailing, repairing, designing, or engineering, this event was a great way to celebrate the maritime industry and for attendees to explore, connect, and imagine what is possible in the amazing world of maritime!
Across OERI
The headset will enable Dr. Johnson's Cognitive Engineering and Simulation Lab at Old Dominion University's Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation to develop a minimal viable training product that uses high-fidelity eye tracking to model mental and cognitive workload in novice maritime trainees. This research will generate gaze-based metrics to optimize training design, enhance situational awareness, and demonstrate how emerging technologies like Varjo can upscale maritime workforce development. What an incredible win for Dr. Johnson, VDMC, and ODU! We can’t wait to see the impact of this research—congratulations again on this exciting achievement!
JESSICA JOHNSON WINS VARJO XR-4 HEADSET
May 22, 2025
Congratulations to VDMC’s Dr Jessica Johnson for winning a Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition headset!
Dr. Johnson submitted a project proposal for a chance to win this headset and received exciting news - she’s one of the winners!
The Varjo XR-4 Series has dual 4Kx4K displays offering human-eye resolution and the world’s fastest 200 Hz integrated eye tracking. Varjo enables precise observation and deep behavioral insights ideal for studies where detail and accuracy matter most
In education, Varjo brings complex concepts to life From immersive anatomy exploration to hands-on design simulation, educators use Varjo to boost engagement and improve learning outcomes through true-to-life XR experiences
Jessica Johnson, Ph.D.
Across OERI
SATTL Team Building Day
May 29, 2025
As one of the newly established labs, fostering an environment of collaboration and camaraderie, the Spectrum Advanced Training Technology Lab (SATTL) attended the May 29th Norfolk Tides baseball game against Lehigh Valley.
Memorial Day WreathLaying Ceremony
May 26, 2025
VDMC’s Robert Allen Baker attended the annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony in Norfolk to honor service members who died in the line of duty.
IN THE NEWS
And a team of researchers traveled from Virginia to survey the damage in Butler County, Missouri.
With all of the data the researchers have collected, Research Professor at Old Dominion University Joshua Behr said it will take time for them to analyze it
“We’re gonna wait until we write up some of those findings and we’re taking some of the anchoring systems back to the lab at Virginia Tech to analyze them to come up with some preliminary conclusions,” Behr explained.
Group of researchers travels to survey storm damage in Butler County
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (KFVS)April 30, 2025. It has been a little over a month since the March 14 tornadoes devastated several Heartland communities.
“The lessons learned here are going to have a ripple effect in the state and even in Virginia,” Behr said.
OERI In The News
Are you prepared for a storm? Expert shares advice, common misconceptions ahead of hurricane season
May 8, 2025
wtkr.com
NORFOLK, Va. — It's Hurricane Preparedness Week, and experts are encouraging residents across Hampton Roads to make sure they're ready before hurricane season officially starts.
Hurricane Preparedness Week runs through May 10. The week aims to remind people to prepare, plan, and stay informed ahead of hurricane season, which officially starts June 1. "We've all been in the situation where you wait until the last minute, and you go running to the store," said Jess Whitehead, executive director of the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience
Whitehead highlighted one of the biggest misconceptions of hurricane season: "When people focus on the center of the track, they have a tendency to take a look at where the storm is going to make landfall and think, 'Oh, if I'm nowhere near where it's going to make landfall, it's not going to effect me.'"
Preparations everyone should take include having 72 hours worth of food, including non-perishable items, water, and an emergency kit, Whitehead says.
"You need to plan to be able to be self sufficient up to 72 hours after a storm. Your local emergency management, state emergency management, and federal officials are going to concentrate on the people who need the most help first. So your goal is to not be one of those people," said Whitehead
Full Article
OERI In The News
Class of 2025: From TCC to ODU, Jared Cochran’s Path to Graduation
May 21, 2025 oduinnovate.org
Congratulations to one of our student researchers - Jared Cochran – on graduating from ODU with a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering!
From a love of computers at a young age to attending Tidewater Community College to dealing with a devastating loss in his family, Jared has conquered tremendous challenges on his journey to success. His determination and resilience have led him to this proud moment.
We are so proud of Jared and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next!
Jared with his mother and brother at graduation.
Upcoming Events
MODSIM World is the premier industry-centric conference connecting decision makers, solution providers, and MODSIM professionals across disciplines and industries. VMASC is a 2025 Sponsor!
MegaRust is conducted annually to provide a consolidated focus on Navy corrosion issues. Corrosion is a major factor in the readiness and total ownership cost of naval systems and this conference is intended to provide updated information on programs, policies, standards and Fleet experience related to corrosion and to promote discussion and sharing of information on technologies and strategies for controlling corrosion. The conference provides an impartial forum for dialogue between government and commercial organizations, and providers of coatings and corrosion control products, processes, technologies and solutions.
