FEATUREDPICTUREOF THEMONTH
ICAR’s Matthew Falcone had the opportunity to visit the Pine Cone Harbor living shoreline in Hampton this past month. Dr. Falcone and researchers from several universities are helping to evaluate the effectiveness of living shorelines at this site and other Hampton Roads locations.
OERI Corner
JOSE PADILLA
Pre-Awards and Contract Awards Monthly Awards & Proposals
*NOTE: THESE AWARDS ARE AS OF 5/27/26 - PRE-AWARDS ARE SUBMITTED PROPOSALS
Across OERI
2026 Digital Ship Challenge
April 25, 2026
VDMC hosted its Third Annual Digital Ship Challenge on Saturday, April 25, 2026. With over 120 students from around Hampton Roads participating this year, it was a true success!
For this year’s Challenge, VDMC had three separate divisions: Design, Systems, and Technology!
Along with the Challenges, VDMC hosted a Next Steps Life Skills session for students. This activity was a fast-paced, hands-on career readiness session where students practiced interview skills, strengthen their LinkedIn profiles, and improved resume bullets in real time. By the end, each student left with a stronger personal pitch, practical profile updates, and at least one concrete resume improvement they can use right away.
VDMC also offered students a newly created game called DeepData: The Smart Submarine Factory Game. In this game, players raced to build advanced submarine systems by navigating the manufacturing process. Players collected resources, deployed smart technologies, and disrupted their opponents as they pushed from concept to production beneath the surface. The team is already working on next year’s challenge!
2026 Digital Ship Challenge Winners
April 25, 2026
Systems Division: 1st place - Team GOATS, Smithfield HS
2nd place - Team Greater Than One, Kecoughtan HS (Not Pictured)
3rd place - Team Subsway, Landstown HS
Design Division: 1st place - Team USS Pack, Smithfield HS
2nd place - Team Jolly Dolphins, Ocean Lakes HS
3rd place - Team Big Fish, ATC (Not pictured)
Tech Division: 1st place - Team The Cyber Waves, Grassfield HS
2nd place - Team The Hydroscapers, Grassfield HS
3rd place - Team Bionic Bruins, Bethel HS
Across OERI
VISA Welcomes Norwegian Delegation for Visit to MASTS
April 24, 2026
On April 24, VISA hosted a delegation from Norway as part of an ongoing exchange facilitated with the City of Virginia Beach. The visit highlighted the Hampton Roads autonomy ecosystem, including applied research at VISA and operational demonstrations at the Maritime Autonomous Systems Test Site (MASTS), and explored opportunities for international collaboration in maritime and defense‑related autonomy.
The delegation included Torbjørn Lundberg, Senior Advisor and Project Manager with the Nordic Defence & Security Cluster (NORDSEC); Frode Halvorsen, Cluster Manager of Norway’s Ocean Autonomy Cluster; and Svein Olav Munkeby, Chairman of the Board for Space Norway. Collectively, the group represents Norway’s national efforts to advance defense, space, and ocean autonomy through industry government academic collaboration.
The visit reflects a growing relationship between Norway, the City of Virginia Beach, Old Dominion University, and VISA, focused on aligning international partners with Virginia’s strengths in maritime autonomy, simulation, and real world testing. These engagements support economic development objectives while positioning ODU and VISA as gateways for global partners seeking collaboration and validation opportunities in the U.S.
Across OERI
ICAR Participates in Design Workshops Focused on Coastal Resilience
April 30, 2026
ICAR's Carol Considine, Andrew Larkin, and Matthew Falcone participated in design workshops as part of the Resilient Hampton initiative, focused on developing a watershed-level coastal resilience plan for the Fox Hill, Grandview, and Harris Creek neighborhoods.
Led by Oliva M. Askew, the City's Resiliency Officer, this community engagement effort brought together ICAR staff and other stakeholders to collaboratively design nature-based and hybrid infrastructure strategies to address the City's water issues and to offer policy recommendations aimed at mitigating these challenges.
May 7, 2026
VMASC Interim Executive Director Dr. Barry Ezell met with the team for an All-Hands meeting focused on momentum, mission, and disciplined growth. As Old Dominion University’s modeling and simulation center of excellence, VMASC is building from a strong base of funded defense research in spectrum, LVC, AI, and related mission areas.
Dr. Ezell highlighted SATTL as a strategic anchor that connects VMASC’s capabilities to real operational challenges and positions the Center for resilient, long-term impact. He emphasized that “it’s a new day with the VMASC Industry Association,” noting that close collaboration with industry partners is a core component of VMASC’s disciplined growth model.
The team also celebrated Project Scientist Dr. Rafi Soule, recognizing her recent PhD and her upcoming move to Washington, D.C. to pursue new opportunities. We are grateful for Rafi’s contributions to VMASC and wish her continued success in her next chapter.
May 8, 2026
VDMC hosted STARBASE Victory
Ambassadors for a hands-on training session using Sphero bolts to complete a maritime-focused activity.
Ambassadors will use the activity as part of their outreach efforts during the Sail250 Virginia event in June. The event takes place in Norfolk.
The maritime-focused activity is a great way to engage students and families through interactive learning and maritime innovation!
Across OERI
VISA’s Dave Bowles Asked to be Member of Virginia Air & Space Science Center Industry Advisory Board (IAB)
May 8, 2026
VISA Senior Research Fellow Dr. Dave Bowles has been asked to serve as a member of the Virginia Air & Space Science Center Industry Advisory Board (IAB). The IAB is comprised of industry leaders from across the aviation and aerospace sectors and will provide advice to the Center’s Executive Director and CEO on content for programs, exhibits, and events.
Dr. Bowles said, “The Virginia Air and Space Science Center is a tremendous asset for the region’s aerospace ecosystem and I’m excited and honored to help shape its future.”
The Board will contribute to the Center’s mission to ignite curiosity and innovation in STEM through education, discovery, and interactive experiences for explorers of all ages.
Congratulations!
Across OERI
VMASC Partnering With Alliance Solutions Group to Offer VA Agencies
Streamlined Access to All-Hazards Exercises May 11, 2026
VMASC and Alliance Solutions Group are partnering under the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Exercise Contract (CTR046764) to offer Virginia agencies streamlined access to all‑hazards exercises tailored to local plans, procedures, and risks.
This collaboration combines VMASC’s advanced modeling, simulation, and data analysis with Alliance Solutions Group’s seasoned emergency management expertise so agencies can strengthen coordination and turn complex data into decisions in critical moments.
Across OERI
ICAR Faculty Member Matthew Falcone Visits Pine Cone Harbor Living Shoreline Project May 13, 2026
ICAR Faculty Member Matthew Falcone had the opportunity to visit the Pine Cone Harbor living shoreline in the City of Hampton. This project, built by ICAR partner Chesapeake Bay Foundation with the support of a dedicated team of volunteers, aims to address several coastal challenges including mitigating wave energy and shoreline erosion. This nature-based solution also enhances habitat for fish and wildlife while improving water quality in the Hampton River.
Dr. Falcone and researchers from several universities are helping to evaluate the effectiveness of living shorelines at this site and other Hampton Roads locations.
Across OERI
VDMC Attends “Weld It, Build It, Sail It!” Event at Nauticus May 17, 2026
VDMC had a great time at the "Weld It, Build It, Sail It!" event presented by Nauticus, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, and the Hampton Roads Maritime Training System - HRMTS.
They had a wonderful time 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
VISA Hosts First Team to Use MASTS for Live Demo
May 22, 2026
VISA recently welcomed visitors to the Maritime Autonomous Systems Test Site (MASTS) at Willoughby Spit in Norfolk, VA
They had the pleasure of hosting Bryan O'Halloran from ReliaSystems LLC and the DTA cohort for a live UUV technology demonstration in Willoughby Bay.
This was exactly the kind of real-world, saltwater testing and collaboration that MASTS was built for: connecting innovators with the operational environment they need to move their technology forward.
The VISA team loves seeing the site put to work like this.
Across OERI
Mission Engineering and the Future of Risk Forecasting
May 27, 2026
As digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and interconnected systems continue to transform defense and industry, organizations face a growing challenge: anticipating risks before they become operational problems.
Traditional risk management approaches are effective at identifying and mitigating known risks. However, many of today's most significant challenges emerge from complex interactions among people, systems, data, supply chains, policies, and mission environments. These "emergent risks" are often difficult to detect until their effects are already being felt.
Research underway at Old Dominion University's Center for Mission Engineering is exploring how mission engineering can be applied not only to understand mission performance, but also to improve risk forecasting. By integrating mission context, readiness evidence, system interactions, and AI-enabled analytics, organizations may be able to identify weak signals and emerging vulnerabilities earlier in the decisionmaking process.
This work supports a broader vision of Operational Readiness in the AI Era, which examines how human judgment, artificial intelligence, mission understanding, and evidence-based decision making can be integrated to improve organizational performance and mission success.
As AI-enabled systems become increasingly common, the ability to forecast and anticipate risk may become just as important as the ability to manage it. Mission engineering offers a promising pathway toward helping organizations move from reactive risk management to proactive risk forecasting strengthening readiness, resilience, and mission outcomes.
ICAR Research Presentation
ICAR Faculy Member Trang Le participated in the National Adaptation Forum in Pittsburgh, presenting her research poster on Exploring Barriers and Enablers to Living Shorelines as Preceived by Waterfront Property Owners in Virginia.
She was proud to present her research poster and have the opportunity to connect with many talented and passionate people working on adaptation and resilience across the country.
One thing that really stood out to Trang was that every region, state, and municipality faces different challenges. Some issues one community dealt with 10-20 years ago may just now be emerging somewhere else. That’s why learning from each other and sharing lessons across places is so important.
Trang also discovered many new practical tools and ideas that will help shape her future research and work at the Institute for Coastal Adaptation & Resilience (ICAR).
CSICS’ Dr. Ross Gore recently attended and presented at the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) Annual Conference (April 16–19, 2026) in a few capacities.
He presented work, "Using Generative AI to Support Screening for Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries,” applying generative AI approaches to mTBI screening, contributing to discussions at the intersection of AI and neurotrauma. This was also a collaborative effort and features novel technology developed by CSICS Senior Project Scientist Eranga Herath.
He co-presented with ODU’s Dr. Christopher Rhea, "Opportunities for Collaboration with the HEROES Initiative at Old Dominion University,” highlighting the Health Enhancement and Resiliency for Those Who Served (HEROES) initiative at ODU and its potential for collaborative research partnerships.
Dr. Gore also co-chaired the Machine Learning and AI for Brain Health track at SBMT alongside Dr. Rhea, featuring researchers from ODU and beyond exploring how ML and AI can advance brain health outcomes for service members and veterans.
It was a great opportunity to connect with the broader neurotrauma and brain health research community and showcase ODU's growing contributions in this space.
Link to conference: https://www.worldbrainmapping.org/sbmt-2026/
OERI In The News
SandeepKumarandSachinShettyNamedOldDominionUniversity EminentScholars
odu.edu
May 8, 2026
Sandeep Kumar, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Old Dominion University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of the Biomass Research Laboratory, and Sachin Shetty, Ph.D., professor in the University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and executive director of the Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems (CSICS) at the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center have been named 2025 University Eminent Scholars.
The Eminent Scholar designation, awarded to faculty at the tenured full professor level, recognizes exceptional contributions and service to the University. Nominees must demonstrate a distinguished record of scholarly publications or creative achievement and have a nationally recognized reputation in their field.
OERI In The News
Researching the economic benefits of Green Spaces
wtkr.com
May 9, 2026
NORFOLK, Virginia Green spaces like parks and trails offer visible benefits to communities — playgrounds for kids, paths for runners but researchers say the economic value of these spaces runs much deeper than what meets the eye.
Flood protection, thermal mitigation, and pollinator support are among the less visible benefits that green spaces provide. Dr. Laura Costadone, a researcher at Old Dominion University's Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience, is working to put a dollar figure on those benefits.
OERI In The News
Inspiring The Next Generation of Maritime Leaders
odu.edu
May 22, 2026
By Joy Vann
As the maritime industry looks to build its future workforce, Old Dominion University is helping high school students dive into shipbuilding, engineering and emerging technology through its annual Digital Ship Challenge Organized by the University’s Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC), the challenge drew more than 120 local high school students together for a hands-on STEM competition focused on submarine building and maritime careers.
The event was held this spring at the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) in Suffolk. Now, in its third year, the Digital Ship Challenge expanded from seven teams in its inaugural competition to 39 this year. The competition teemed with energy, bringing together students demonstrating their final designs, VDMC staff, industry professionals and volunteers from the University’s Student Propeller Club.
The Digital Ship Challenge was created by Jennifer Renne, curriculum coordinator at VDMC, to address the maritime industry’s need for workers. Workforce development, along with digital analytics and technology insertion, is a pillar of the VDMC’s mission. Its programs create a pipeline from education to industry.
She said her first goal when creating the challenge was to engage students with a hands-on project
“What better way to do that than to come up with a challenge. Because everyone, including every student, loves a competition,” said Renne.
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