Stony Brook Research Leaders Deepen Ties with Defense Agency Priorities

On July 21, a delegation of Stony Brook University (SBU) research leaders and faculty traveled to Arlington, Virginia, for a series of strategic meetings with department leadership and program managers from some of the nation's premier defense science agencies, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), to showcase the university's research strengths, explore future opportunities for collaboration and enhance long-term partnerships.

Left to right: Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering Dilip Gersappe, Director of the Center for Understanding Biology using Imaging Technology and Interim Co-Director of the Center for Healthy Aging Christine DeLorenzo, Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Mónica Bugallo, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Andrew Singer, and Department of Chemistry Professor Elizabeth Boon at the Office of Naval Research.

The delegation included Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Mónica Bugallo, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Andrew Singer, Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering Dilip Gersappe, Director of the Center for Understanding Biology using Imaging Technology (CUBIT) and Interim Co-Director of the Center for Healthy Aging Christine DeLorenzo, and Department of Chemistry Professor Elizabeth Boon. The group met agency department leaders and program managers responsible for advancing some of the nation's most transformative research in artificial intelligence, quantum information science, advanced materials, biological technologies, aerospace systems and ocean sensing.

Discussions focused on understanding current agency priorities, identifying opportunities to better align Stony Brook's research with those priorities, and learning best practices for faculty engagement with program managers, while highlighting the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of the university's research enterprise.

The visit reflects Stony Brook's continued commitment to strengthening relationships with federal agencies and positioning its faculty to best compete for critical research opportunities that address national security challenges.

"Visits like these are an important part of understanding the evolving priorities of our federal research partners and ensuring that Stony Brook researchers remain well positioned to contribute to the nation's research agenda," said Bugallo. "They allow us to bring visibility to our research expertise, identify the common threads that align our goals, and establish the strong foundation needed for effective, lasting scientific engagement."

During meetings with DARPA's Defense Sciences Office, faculty discussed opportunities spanning artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced sensing, computational modeling and materials science. Conversations emphasized Stony Brook's ability to assemble interdisciplinary teams capable of addressing complex scientific problems and supporting long-term national security research initiatives.

At the Office of Naval Research, the SBU team highlighted Stony Brook's internationally recognized work in underwater acoustics, statistical signal processing and quantum networking, including the university's leadership role in developing next-generation quantum communication technologies through collaborations with Brookhaven National Laboratory. Additional meetings explored biological technologies, neuroscience, advanced materials and aerospace technologies.

For Dean Andrew Singer, the engagement underscored the importance of building relationships that extend beyond a single meeting. "These visits are about far more than discussing research priorities, they're about building lasting partnerships," said Singer. "By engaging directly with federal agency research leaders and program managers, we can connect them to our faculty and extend a personal invitation to visit Stony Brook to experience firsthand the innovative research and collaborative environment that make our university such a strong partner for the federal government."

As federal agencies increasingly emphasize large-scale, multidisciplinary collaborations, visits such as these help ensure that SBU researchers remain engaged with program leadership, informed of evolving research priorities and well positioned to pursue competitive federal funding opportunities that advance scientific discovery while addressing critical national needs.

These defense agency meetings were organized and led by the Office of Federal Relations in Washington, DC, which works closely with Congress, federal agencies and the Administration to advance the federal priorities of Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine. Through sustained engagement with policymakers and agency leadership, the office helps connect SBU's world-class researchers with federal partners, fostering relationships that expand opportunities for collaboration, innovation and research investment.