FAMU Receives $321K to Expand Student Research in Geospatial Science and AI Ocean Sensing from the Office of Naval Research
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Florida A&M University (FAMU) has been awarded a two-year, $321,000 subaward as part of a national Office of Naval Research (ONR) initiative designed to develop a diverse STEM workforce equipped to tackle emerging environmental and national security challenges.
The funding comes from Purdue University’s $9.89 million grant, the ONR Blue Integrated Partnership (BIP 2.0). The project is led by Luciano Castillo, Ph.D., Kenninger professor of renewable energy and power systems, in the Purdue University School of Mechanical Engineering, and focuses on mentoring a diverse STEM workforce prepared to address future grand challenges. Through this effort, FAMU will support student research and workforce development in geospatial science, nearshore mapping, and AI-enabled marine sensing.
Provost Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., said the project reflects the University’s commitment to expanding experiential learning and strengthening federal partnerships that enhance student success.
“This project places our students at the intersection of data, environment, and national priorities,” Watson said. “By engaging in applied research alongside federal and academic partners, they develop the skills and perspective required to solve complex problems beyond the classroom.”
FAMU’s participation in this project is strengthened by ongoing federal collaborations led by Rosny Jean, Ph.D., assistant professor of geospatial and environmental analysis for the FAMU School of the Environment. Jean works closely with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division in Newport, Rhode Island, where he developed the SHIP-AID algorithm, which utilizes deep learning and geospatial analytics to detect underwater hazards. His expertise positions FAMU as a valuable partner and contributor to the consortium’s research mission.
Rosny Jean, Ph.D., assistant professor of geospatial and environmental analysis for
the FAMU School of the Environment. (Photo special to FAMU)
“This partnership creates tremendous opportunities for our students to work on real-world problems that matter,” Jean said. “Whether they are engaged in geospatial science applications, ocean modeling or advanced machine learning algorithms, our students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in defense innovation and environmental intelligence.”
The project will support student training, research assistantships, coastal fieldwork, and computational modeling, providing FAMU scholars with opportunities to collaborate across institutions within the national consortium.
For more information about the Blue Integrated Partnerships consortium, visit blueintegratedpartners.org. Visit the School of the Environment for more details about its research.
Media Contact
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
Deidre Williams
Director of Communications
Office of the Provost
deidre.williams@famu.edu
