Mission Engineering and the Future of Risk Forecasting
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, […]
Sandeep Kumar and Sachin Shetty Named Old Dominion University Eminent Scholars
By Sherry DiBari 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 […]
The value of nature: ODU researchers appraise the benefits of green space in Hampton Roads
By Katherine Hafner, WHRO Full article: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-06-01/the-value-of-nature-odu-researchers-appraise-the-benefits-of-green-space-in-hampton-roads The ongoing research looks at how parks and trails affect local wildlife, flooding and residents’ wellbeing. Parks, trails and other pockets of green space have multiple benefits for Hampton Roads, such as boosting people’s health and naturally absorbing rainwater. A team at Old Dominion University is working to […]
Inspiring The Next Generation of Maritime Leaders
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 […]
AI Captures Particle Accelerator Behavior to Optimize Machine Performance
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Keeping high-power particle accelerators at peak performance requires advanced and precise control systems. For example, the primary research machine at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility features hundreds of fine-tuned components that accelerate electrons to 99.999% the speed of light. The electrons get this boost from radiofrequency […]
VISA Executive Director Dr. Yiannis Papelis Participates in Panel to Unveil “Hampton Roads Playbook”
VISA’s Executive Director Yiannis Papelis, Ph.D., was on the all-star industry panel at the unveiling of the “Hampton Roads Playbook” – a dynamic roadmap designed to supercharge our region’s economy by concentrating on what we do better than anyone else: defense, energy, aerospace, and logistics. The shared strategy, by the Hampton Roads Alliance, plans to align Hampton […]
VDMC Hosts Third Annual Digital Ship Challenge
The Virginia Digital Maritime Center (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, we had three separate divisions: Design, Systems, and Technology. The Design Division participants, which included 25 teams, […]
WTKR News 3 Interviews VISA Executive Director Dr. Yiannis Papelis About MASTS
WTKR News 3 interviewed VISA’s Executive Director Dr. Yiannis Papelis about the new Maritime Autonomous Systems Test Site (MASTS) and how it can help the maritime industry test their new technology, as well as give students a leg-up in the post-grad job market. “Autonomous systems in particular are very important because they take away the risk and the […]
Old Dominion University, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and William & Mary Awarded Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Sea Grant College Program Funding for Oyster Aquaculture Innovation
Norfolk, VA (October 13, 2025) – Old Dominion University (ODU) and William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS and Institute for Integrative Conservation have been awarded competitive funding from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant to advance sustainable aquaculture through an innovative bird deterrence project for oyster farms. The proposal, Innovative Avian […]
Class of 2025: From TCC to ODU, Jared Cochran’s Path to Graduation
By Jessica Zimmerman Jared Cochran, undergraduate research student for the Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems (CSICS), graduated ODU with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering. Jared has been exposed to computers since he was young and has always been interested in how the brain of the computer works. Originally attending Tidewater […]