Adrienne Stephenson

Targeted Infusion Project: Infuse Data Science into the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum in Materials, Manufacturing, and Engineering Design

Funded by the National Science Foundation through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program, this project aims to modernize the mechanical engineering undergraduate curriculum at Prairie View A&M University. The initiative focuses on integrating data science and artificial intelligence into existing courses on materials, manufacturing, and engineering design to better prepare students for a data-driven economy. Key components include the implementation of a progressive sequence of machine learning modules, a summer bridge programming activity for freshmen, and the establishment of a high-performance computing laboratory for project-based learning and research. To ensure sustainability and scalability, the project provides faculty development through certified workshops and learning communities while utilizing authentic datasets from industry collaborators and STEM research labs. The program will be measured via a mixed-methods evaluation with external review to assess student learning and readiness. Ultimately, the project will produce open-access teaching modules and coding examples to serve as a model for other institutions seeking to infuse AI and data science into engineering education.

National Science FoundationTX, USA

NAICS

611310

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2605686

Awarded

Awarded

Targeted Infusion Project: Increasing Mathematics Potential by Addressing Collegiate-level Teacher Professional Development (IMPACT PD) at Tennessee State University

The Targeted Infusion Project, titled Increasing Mathematics Potential by Addressing Collegiate-level Teacher Professional Development (IMPACT PD) at Tennessee State University, is an award from the National Science Foundation. Part of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program, this initiative aims to improve the preparation and success of undergraduate students in STEM fields by reimagining the collegiate mathematics learning environment. The project focuses on building faculty capacity through a structured professional development program and an active learning community, utilizing evidence-based teaching strategies to increase student competitiveness for STEM careers and advanced degrees. The project employs an integrated approach featuring a community of practice, a progressive transfer of responsibility, and the collaborative redesign of course materials. By partnering with mathematics education experts, the program introduces a meta-teaching model where faculty experience evidence-based strategies as learners before implementing them in their own classrooms. This effort is designed to create systemic changes in mathematics instruction, ultimately strengthening the institutional academic infrastructure and equipping students with the necessary skills for the STEM workforce or scientific research.

National Science FoundationTN, USA

NAICS

611310

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2605501

Awarded

Awarded

Planning: Excellence in Research: Assessing AI Impacts and Building Sustainable Training Pathways for Small Businesses

Morgan State University is leading a planning project funded by the National Science Foundation to address the barriers under-resourced small businesses face when adopting artificial intelligence and improving cybersecurity. The initiative focuses on overcoming financial constraints, technical gaps, and limited workforce expertise through a collaborative approach involving community organizations, industry stakeholders, and the university's Small Business Development Center. By conducting literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, and expert engagements, the project aims to identify critical research and training priorities tailored to diverse business needs. The primary output of this effort will be a comprehensive implementation roadmap designed to guide the creation of practical AI and cybersecurity training resources. This strategic framework will strengthen the university's interdisciplinary research capacity and establish sustainable partnerships with chambers of commerce and business associations. Ultimately, the project serves as an empirical foundation for future research initiatives dedicated to advancing responsible AI adoption and building long-term cybersecurity resilience for small businesses.

National Science FoundationMD, USA

NAICS

541720

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

2603266

Awarded

Awarded

Planning: Post-Quantum Identity and Audit for Medical XR Training

Led by Meharry Medical College in collaboration with Middle Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Microsoft Corporation, and IonQ, this one-year planning project focuses on developing secure immersive health training systems. The initiative addresses critical vulnerabilities in virtual and augmented reality platforms used for clinical training, specifically targeting the risks that quantum computing poses to classical public-key cryptography used in identity management and patient data protection. By convening experts in clinical simulation, information security, and quantum computing, the team aims to create a quantum-resilient reference architecture that ensures privacy-preserving access control and tamper-evident audit logging. The project will deliver a comprehensive research plan, a detailed security architecture with threat analysis, and a graduate mentorship program focused on quantum-resistant cybersecurity. Key objectives include specifying performance requirements and data governance needs to mitigate harvest-now, decrypt-later threats. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the resulting materials and reference designs will be made freely available to educators, clinical trainers, and IT staff to facilitate the broad and secure adoption of extended reality technologies in healthcare education.

National Science FoundationTN, USA

NAICS

541715

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

2603380

Awarded

Awarded

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a competitive federal initiative designed to strengthen the United States scientific and engineering workforce. It provides three years of financial support to outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including STEM education. Selection is based on the potential for significant achievement, evaluated through the criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts. This specific award notice, identified by solicitation number 2632150, was posted on August 6, 2026, by the Scholarships, Fellowships, and Traineeships Section of the National Science Foundation. The program supports fellows at their respective awardee institutions to ensure the continued vitality of STEM research. For further inquiries, Adrienne Stephenson serves as the Program Officer.

National Science FoundationVA, USA

NAICS

611310

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2632150

Awarded

Awarded

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a competitive federal initiative designed to strengthen the United States scientific and engineering workforce. It provides three years of financial support to outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including STEM education. Selection is based on the candidates' potential for significant achievement, evaluated through the criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts. This specific award notice, identified by solicitation number 2632151, was posted on August 6, 2026, by the Scholarships, Fellowships, and Traineeships Section of the National Science Foundation. The program is managed by Program Officer Adrienne Stephenson and supports fellows attending approved awardee institutions to advance the statutory mission of the NSF.

National Science FoundationNC, USA

NAICS

611310

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2632151

Awarded

Awarded

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a competitive federal initiative designed to strengthen the United States scientific and engineering workforce. It provides three years of financial support to outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including STEM education. Selection is based on the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria to identify individuals with the potential for significant achievements in their fields. Managed by the Scholarships, Fellowships, and Traineeships Section of the National Science Foundation, this award notice is identified by solicitation number 2635143. The program supports fellows at their respective awardee institutions to ensure the continued vitality of STEM research. For further inquiries, the program is overseen by Program Officer Adrienne Stephenson.

National Science FoundationCO, USA

NAICS

611310

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2635143

Awarded

Awarded

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a competitive federal initiative designed to strengthen the United States scientific and engineering workforce. It provides three years of financial support to outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including STEM education. Selection is based on the potential for significant achievement, evaluated through the criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts. Managed by the Scholarships, Fellowships, and Traineeships Section of the National Science Foundation, this award notice is identified by solicitation number 2632295. The program supports fellows at their respective awardee institutions to ensure the continued vitality of STEM research. For further inquiries, the program is overseen by Program Officer Adrienne Stephenson.

National Science FoundationSC, USA

NAICS

611310

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2632295

Awarded

Awarded

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a competitive federal initiative designed to strengthen the United States scientific and engineering workforce. It provides three years of financial support to outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including STEM education. Selection is based on the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria to identify individuals with the potential for significant achievements in their fields. Managed by the Scholarships, Fellowships, and Traineeships Section of the National Science Foundation, this specific award notice is identified by solicitation number 2632154. The program supports fellows at their chosen awardee institutions in alignment with the NSF Act. For further inquiries, the program is overseen by Program Officer Adrienne Stephenson.

National Science FoundationCT, USA

NAICS

611310

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2632154

Awarded

Awarded

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a competitive federal initiative designed to strengthen the United States scientific and engineering workforce. It provides three years of financial support to outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including STEM education. Selection is based on the candidates potential for significant achievement, evaluated through the criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts. This specific award notice, identified by solicitation number 2632147, was posted on August 6, 2026, by the Scholarships, Fellowships, and Traineeships Section of the National Science Foundation. The program supports fellows at their respective awardee institutions to ensure the continued vitality of STEM research. For further inquiries, Adrienne Stephenson serves as the Program Officer and primary point of contact.

National Science FoundationTX, USA

NAICS

611310

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

2632147

Awarded