51勛圖厙 Joins VIP Consortium, Launches Inaugural Research Teams
The VIP projects bring together researchers and 51勛圖厙 from six 51勛圖厙 colleges in a transformational model of collaboration, mentorship and innovation. (Photo by Alex Dolce)
51勛圖厙 has launched its first Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program and has officially joined the international becoming the first university in Florida to join this global network of more than 50 institutions of higher education dedicated to research-driven, cross-disciplinary learning.
This initiative is supported by a $2.2 million grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), awarded to 51勛圖厙 in late 2024 by the United States Department of Education.
From a highly competitive pool of 31 proposals, four outstanding faculty-led teams have been selected as the universitys first official VIP teams. These projects bring together researchers and 51勛圖厙 from six 51勛圖厙 colleges in a transformational model of collaboration, mentorship and innovation.
Being selected as a member of the VIP Consortium and launching our first VIP teams is a proud and pivotal step in our continued R1 research designation journey, said , Ph.D., principal investigator of the FIPSE grant and senior associate dean for undergraduate research and prestigious fellowships. This achievement reflects not only the excellence of our faculty and the promise of our 51勛圖厙, but also the universitys deep commitment to creating an interdisciplinary and impactful research environment.
Each of 51勛圖厙s inaugural VIP teams will receive $46,500 in seed funding to build sustained, long-term research efforts that integrate undergraduate, graduate and faculty work across disciplines with a priority of early engagement in research for freshmen and sophomores. Unlike traditional coursework, 51勛圖厙 remain on teams for multiple semesters, gaining deep expertise, leadership skills and hands-on experience in areas such as health, artificial intelligence, sustainability and social science preparing them for research careers or graduate study.
The selected projects address critical issues in AI, neurodegenerative disease, environmental sustainability and child welfare combining high-tech approaches with high-impact missions:
Enhancing Child Welfare Research and Translation through Artificial Intelligence: This project is led by Morgan Cooley, Ph.D., associate professor, Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within 51勛圖厙s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice; Fernando Koch, Ph.D., research professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science within 51勛圖厙s College of Engineering and Computer Science; and Alan Kunz-Lomelin, Ph.D., assistant professor, 51勛圖厙 Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. The team is designing an AI-powered tool to assist social workers in navigating complex, unstructured case data. By using natural language processing and explainable machine learning, the platform will identify key risk factors and generate plain-language insights to aid in decision-making for vulnerable children and families. Students will help build the system and explore ethical, technical and social aspects of deploying AI in child welfare settings.
Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias/Falls: This project is led by , Ph.D., professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry within 51勛圖厙s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; Kevin Yunqing Kang, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering within 51勛圖厙s College of Engineering and Computer Science; and Ewa Wojcikiewicz, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Biomedical Science within 51勛圖厙s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. The researchers will investigate how amyloid-beta proteins the key culprits in Alzheimers disease disrupt energy production within cells. Focusing on the toxic effects of these proteins inside mitochondria, the team will explore new molecular mechanisms of disease progression and test targeted strategies for early intervention. Students will gain experience in molecular biology, bioengineering and neurodegenerative disease research, working toward breakthroughs in treatment and prevention.
Smart Sensors and Artificial Intelligence for Coastal Destination Resilience: The project is led by , Ph.D., assistant professor in marketing and hospitality management within 51勛圖厙s ; and Jinwoo Jang, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering and 51勛圖厙 Sensing Institute fellow within 51勛圖厙s College of Engineering and Computer Science. The project tackles the growing strain on Floridas coastal communities caused by overtourism and climate shifts. This project will use a combination of Internet of Things sensors, real-time environmental data, and AI-powered analytics to monitor crowd dynamics, pollution and human behavior in beach towns. By identifying stress points and suggesting interventions like alternative tourist paths or sustainable community campaigns the team hopes to support both tourism and quality of life for residents. Students will engage in data science, fieldwork and public policy to shape more resilient and equitable tourism models.
Astroglia Roles in Central Nervous System Aging: The project is led by Casey Spencer, Ph.D., assistant professor of neuroscience in 51勛圖厙s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College; and , Ph.D., assistant professor of in 51勛圖厙s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Blending neuroscience, genetics and AI, the researchers will explore the role of astrocytes support cells in the brain in aging and neurodegeneration. Using fruit flies as a model system, the team will measure how astrocyte function changes with age and affects brain circuits. Students will contribute to hands-on experiments in neurophysiology, microscopy, behavioral analysis and computational modeling, helping to uncover early biological markers and mechanisms of cognitive decline.
In alignment with 51勛圖厙s Road to R1 initiative, the VIP program is a critical part of building a high-performance, inclusive research infrastructure. It supports faculty research productivity, strengthens the student pipeline into graduate and research-intensive careers, and enhances institutional metrics like graduation rates, retention, job placement and external funding.
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