July 2025 OERI Internal Newsletter

July 2025 Internal Newsletter

July Newsletter OERI Corner

Across OERI

OERI In The News

Upcoming Events

Monthly Awards & Proposals

Pre-Awards and Contract Awards

*NOTE: THESE AWARDS ARE AS OF 6/24/25 - PRE-AWARDS ARE SUBMITTED PROPOSALS JAN

FEB

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

Pre-Awards

4.3M

942K

5.7M

995K

1.9M

3.1M

Contract Awards

174K

0

1.5M

7.5M

75K

343K

OERI Corner The OERI Procedures have been updated as of

The OERI Procedures have been updated as of March 2024.

March 2024.

You can visit the page HERE. assword protected page. Please ask your supervisor for the password.

You can visit the page HERE. This is a password protected page.

Please ask your supervisor for the password

OERI New Hires Jared Cochran Project Scientist for the Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems (CSICS)

B. Danette Allen, Ph.D. VMASC Executive Director

Andrew Maciejunes Project Scientist for the Spectrum Advanced Training Technology Laboratory (SATTL)

Megan Witherow, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor for VMASC Instructional Training Systems

OERI Transitions

Dr. Krzysztof Rechowicz has transitioned to the Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC).

Robert-Allen Baker has transitioned to the Center for Mission Engineering (CME).

Dr. Deri DraperAmason has transitioned to the Center for Mission Engineering (CME).

Employment Recognitions

MENION CROLL 20 YEARS

JOSHUA BEHR JOSHUA BEHR 17 YEARS 17 YEARS

ANTHONY BARRACO CHRISTOPHER LYNCH ANTHONY BARRACO 13 YEARS 12 YEARS 13 YEARS

CHRISTOPHER LYNCH 12 YEARS

BATO CVIJETIC 9 YEARS

Employment Recognitions

KEVIN O’BRIEN 5 YEARS

SAFDAR BOUK JOSHUA BEHR 3 YEARS 17 YEARS

ANTHONY BARRACO CHRISTOPHER LYNCH CHRISTINE LEBOEUF 13 YEARS 12 YEARS 3 YEARS

JASON DUDLEY 3 YEARS

JOHN SNELL 2 YEARS

Across OERI

Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Ph.D. Philippe Giabbanelli, Ph.D., Director of the VMASC Modeling & Simulation for Health and STEM, has received the Inaugural “Springer Nature Author Service Award” for his role on the editorial board of an academic journal where he ensures that the science is sound and that manuscripts are reviewed in a timely fashion by experts.

The Springer Nature group is one of the largest three academic publishers in the world and Dr. Giabbanelli serves on the editorial board of four journals. The Springer Nature Author Service Award recognizes exceptional service in improving the author experience and ensuring the peer review process is efficient, constructive, and fair. Congratulations, Dr. Giabbanelli!

Dr. Yiannis Papelis attends Aerospace Advisory Board Meeting As part of Dr. Yiannis Papelis’ Governor's appointment to the Aerospace Advisory Board, he is attending regular meetings with the rest of the board. The most recent meeting took place in Bridgewater, VA and hosted by Dynamic Aviation Group Inc.

Although Columbine II was eventually replaced by a new model in 1954 (Columbine III), it remained in the president's service the remainder of his presidency and is thus referred to as the First Air Force One.

Dynamic Aviation had a Lockheed Constellation aircraft in their hangar that was built in 1948. This airplane, named Columbine II, happened to be the presidential aircraft for Eisenhower. President Eisenhower’s well-known 'Atoms for Peace' speech, which was delivered to the UN General Assembly in 1953, was written while on board this aircraft. The aircraft was named Columbine II because his wife, Mamie, was an adopted daughter of Colorado, and Columbine is the Colorado state flower.

Dynamic Aviation flew the plane to their facility on March 19, 2016, where it is now located and is ongoing full restoration. The photos here show the airplane in its current condition.

Of particular interest is the photo titled “Navigation.” Planes of that era did not have GPS (GPS was not available until the early '80s) and thus utilized celestial navigation where determining the position of the plane was done by using a sextant to measure angles between stars and using almanac tables to calculate latitude and longitude. The opening at the top of the plane, shown in the picture, was there to allow the crew to observe the stars and tell where they are.

“NAVIGATION”

The photo tiled “Engine” (to the left) shows the engine mounts but without the engines which were removed after the flight that took the plane to Bridgewater so it could be serviced and overhauled.

“ENGINE”

Across OERI

May Thirsty Thursday June 6, 2025 VMASC Chief Scientist Dr. Michael Nelson hosted another Thirsty Thursday, featuring the Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC).

VDMC Executive Director, Mark Whitney, gave an overview of VDMC and how other centers can collaborate on research and other goals.

If anyone is interested in speaking or sharing information at a Thirsty Thursday, please contact Michael Nelson directly at mln@cs.odu.edu.

ASNE-Sika Build-A-Boat Challenge June 7-8, 2025 The Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) was one of the sponsors of the 29th ASNE-Sika Ultimate Build-A-Boat Challenge during the Norfolk Harborfest.

The ODU Batten College of Engineering and Technology was also a sponsor, and OERI’s Joseph Kosteczko supported the event as a volunteer.

This annual competition combines creativity, craftsmanship and boat handling skills in a unique event where teams create boats in a limited amount of time and then race them for awards.

Proceeds from this event go to funding the mission areas of ASNE, including engineering scholarships, middle and high school STEM programs, and professional development.

Across OERI VDMC Team Members Receive Success Award from Isle of Wight Schools June 9, 2025

The May recipient of the Isle of Wight County Schools Succeed award is Dr. Jessica Johnson and Jennifer Renne from the Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC).

The nomination states: We are proud to recognize Dr. Jessica Johnson and Jennifer Renne for their exceptional dedication and leadership in advancing Career and Technical Education for Isle of Wight County Schools’ middle school students.

Through their visionary work, they have expanded access to maritime STEM education, introduced emerging technologies into CTE labs, and mentored our first middle school competition team to a 3rd-place win at the Ship Repair Digital Innovation Competition. Their efforts also include developing an annual 8th-grade capstone experience and providing ongoing support to educators—fostering innovation, equity, and student-centered learning across the division.

Across OERI SATTL Workshop June 10-12, 2025 The Spectrum Advanced Training Technology Laboratory (SATTL) hosted a three-day workshop for a Spectrum Integration System (SIS) Program Progress Review.

The workshop welcomed participants from a range of organizations, including OUSD, NAVSEA Warfare Centers Corona and Circadence Corporation. There were also teams from Peraton, CTI, and Joint Staff J-7 in attendance.

Across OERI

VDMC Visits Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project June 11, 2025

VDMC’s Jessica Galassie recently had the opportunity to visit the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Project – the United States’ largest offshore wind farm— located 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. She joined a group of ODU colleagues, students, and Associate Vice President for Maritime Initiatives, Elspeth McMahon, on this inspiring and informative voyage.

When fully constructed, the CVOW will deliver clean, renewable energy to the grid and avoid millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The ODU visit was about connecting the dots between maritime operations, advanced technology, and workforce readiness, as well as offering valuable insights into the engineering, logistics, and digital systems that will shape the next generation of offshore capabilities.

Across OERI ODU President Signs New Memorandum of Understanding that Now Includes Center for Mission Engineering June 16 , 2025

ODU President Brian Hemphill signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ODU and NATO Joint Forces Command Norfolk (JFCNF) that now includes OERI and mission integration management through the Center for Mission Engineering (CME).

The MOU, which includes many facets of partnerships between the two groups, such as internship opportunities for ODU students and scholarships for JFCNF staff, will now utilize CME expertise in events, training, exercise, technology, etc., for collaboration on Multi-Domain Operations development, readiness, and mission integration management.

Barbara Blake (Executive Director, ODU Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office Monarch Internship Academy for the Humanities), Ron Riffle (Director, Office of International Admissions), and Thomas Irwin (Executive Director, Center for Mission Engineering) were honored to attend the signing event at JFCNF HQ with Rear Admiral Ignacio Cespedes, Chief of Staff for JFCNF.

Across OERI

June Thirsty Thursday June 26 , 2025 At June’s Thirsty Thursday, VMASC’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Michael Nelson, discussed citations and references and their importance for researchers.

He also stressed the value of researchers having a Google Scholar profile, as it can track the impact of their work, as well as enhance their visibility.

Across OERI CMMC Training June 27 , 2025 The Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems (CSICS) hosted another free training session on CMMC 2.0, Level 1 Self-Assessment Training.

This training was designed to help organizations handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) implement essential cybersecurity measures. This selfassessment requirement ensures businesses meet the necessary cybersecurity practices to safeguard sensitive data from common cyber threats.

Storymodelers in Greece June 27 , 2025 The Storymodelers went back in Lesvos, Greece and were joined by several ODU students and an Associate Professor in the ODU Department of Women’s and Gender Studies. They stayed at a monastery-turned-study center and worked alongside students from the University of Athens and University of Luxembourg on the first steps of creating a digital time machine for Lesvos. Collecting photos, oral histories, and more, the students are learning from each other across disciplines. Faculty from various institutions provided insights and support for these student-led initiatives.

OERI In The News

AMPP Awarded Gates Foundation Grant to Advance Workforce Development in Maritime and Technical Trades June 9, 2025 einpresswire.com HOUSTON, DC, UNITED STATES, June 9, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the leading global authority in corrosion control and protective coatings, has been selected as one of only six organizations nationwide to receive a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as part of Credential Engine’s second round of subgrantees working to improve education-toworkforce pathways.

Through this grant, AMPP will support the Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) in Hampton Roads, Virginia— home to the fastest-growing port on the East Coast—where employers must fill more than 11,000 critical trade positions.

In collaboration with Old Dominion University (ODU), the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC), and other regional partners, AMPP will publish data on its industry-recognized technical standards, competency frameworks, credentials, and assessments into the Credential Registry, increasing transparency and accessibility for both learners and employers.

This initiative builds on AMPP’s previous work, including the MSTA 1.0 project in partnership with Old Dominion University and the Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC), which laid the groundwork for this next phase of strategic impact.

Full Article

OERI In The News Governor Glenn Youngkin Leads Economic Trade Mission to France, United Kingdom June 15, 2025 governor.virginia.gov RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin will lead a Virginia delegation to Paris, France and London, England beginning June 15 on an economic trade mission aimed at strengthening investment, workforce, and innovation ties with key partners in Europe. In London, Governor Youngkin and First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin will join U.K. and U.S. dignitaries in rededicating the statue of George Washington in Trafalgar Square, a monument originally gifted by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1914. Accompanying the Governor on the trade mission are Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura, Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller, and senior officials from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

Over the past decade, Virginia has landed 68 aerospace and unmanned-systems projects representing more than $850 million in investment and creating over 4,200 high-skill jobs. That momentum is fueled by assets such as NASA Wallops Flight Facility, NASA Langley Research Center, the National Institute of Aerospace, and the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center. The biennial Paris Air Show draws over 300,000 attendees and 2,400 exhibitors from 90 nations.

More HERE.

OERI In The News Old Dominion University’s Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI) Announces the Appointment of B. Danette Allen, Ph.D. to Executive Director of the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, & Simulation Center (VMASC) June 26, 2025 oduinnovate.org After an extensive search, the ODU Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI) is excited to announce the appointment of B. Danette Allen, Ph.D., as Executive Director of the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, & Simulation Center (VMASC).

Dr. Allen is the first female Executive Director of VMASC. “We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Danette Allen to the team as VMASC’s Executive Director. Her visionary leadership and industry insight bring an exciting new chapter to VMASC, ODU’s longstanding center of excellence in modeling, simulation, and analysis,” said Dr. Eric Weisel, Senior Associate Vice President for Applied Research. “I’m confident Dr. Allen’s strategic guidance will amplify the impact of our research and foster innovative collaborations across all our centers.”

With a 30-year extensive experience working for NASA, Dr. Allen is a pioneering senior leader in autonomous systems, having managed the agency’s strategic direction in autonomy to meet current and future mission needs across aeronautics, space, robotics, and human exploration.

More HERE.

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.

July 2025 Internal Newsletter

ODU Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation

1030 University Blvd., Suffolk, VA 23435 oduinnovate.org