Reagan Cook stood at a career crossroads when her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering intersected with her recent master’s in data analytics.

She wanted to connect her experience in manufacturing with her burgeoning interest in data science but wasn’t sure which way to turn. Then, she stumbled upon a job opportunity that brought both into one path forward: A fellowship focused on artificial intelligence in manufacturing through the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, or PIN.

“I happened upon this fellowship and the vertical I landed on was AI in manufacturing, which was a good marriage of the two disciplines,” said Cook, who began the one-year paid position over the summer. The PIN fellowship, part of Georgia Institute of Technology’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, places early career professionals into public and private opportunities.

The fellowship is made possible through support from Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing, or Georgia AIM. Georgia AIM supports several PIN fellows each year through the AI in Manufacturing vertical. Participants spend six months working on a research project through the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) and then six months with a partner company where they focus on a project that enhances the use of smart technologies.

Cook recently completed her first six-month rotation as a researcher with the Melkote Advanced Manufacturing Research Group at Georgia Tech, working with GTMI Associate Director Shreyes Melkote. She is now in her next role at Carbice, an Atlanta semiconductor manufacturer.

That’s the interesting part of the PIN fellowship: those accepted into the program gain experience in both the public and private sectors. Upon completing the program, fellows enter the workforce with a unique, innovative skillset that contributes to the emerging roles AI is creating in manufacturing.

The PIN program also helps address a gap in the workforce. There is a growing need for professionals who understand AI and smart technologies, and the program’s public/private partnership provides useful training and experience to early career professionals who are eager to solve these challenges.

In Cook’s case, her first job after college was with a small manufacturer doing engineering design and CAD work. Her role expanded a bit to accommodate her data analytics background while working on her master’s degree practicum project. But due to the size of the company, her work returned to strictly engineering after she graduated. In contrast, through the PIN fellowship, Cook is working on developing machine learning models that can be used to search for parts in a database of CAD designs. This would allow manufacturers looking for CAD drawings or 3D models to find similar parts with designs already created, saving time by giving engineers a starting point. This research allows her to leverage both her analytics and engineering knowledge.

"I feel like I am learning a lot,” said Cook. The research position allows her to apply theoretical knowledge from her master’s degree in a research environment. “That’s been very interesting and eye-opening. I’m still early in my career and my only experience is fairly traditional corporate jobs, so working in the realm of the unknown is a different situation. With research, you’re just exploring and have no assurances that what you’re doing is going to work. ”

Moving to Carbice for the second half of her fellowship adds another layer of learning, she added, because it’s one thing to test out a theory in a lab; it’s different when you are working for a company that needs to see results.

“Working in the private sector allows you to identify and reality-check the needs of actual workplaces,” she added. “Because sometimes you have a compelling idea and interesting research, but in a corporate setting, first, is it useful, and second, if it is useful, is it even something the industry wants or is willing to adopt?”

This is a paradox Cook will face not only during the second half of her fellowship, but also going forward in her career. The foundational experiences attained through the PIN fellowship will give Cook an edge as she moves into her next role. Many manufacturers are interested in adopting AI and smart technologies, but the challenge is in identifying problems to solve.

Cook said she is confident the fellowship will give her new insights that can be beneficial to future employers. The program also offers networking opportunities and connections with respected professionals that will be beneficial in years to come, she added.

“It’s really good to have both the public and private perspectives. And because I’ve worked in a couple different manufacturing environments, I’m interested in how different my manufacturing rotation will be and if I can identify patterns, similar issues, or inefficiencies. And all that is useful knowledge to have,” she said. “For me specifically, the content of this work is going to be very helpful in tying my whole resume together.”

For more details on the AI and Manufacturing-focused PIN fellowship supported by Georgia AIM, visit the PIN website.

Scott Duncan leads the microgrid initiative at the Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Institute, principally facilitating access to the Tech Square Microgrid for Georgia Tech students and researchers. He is a senior research engineer within the School of Aerospace Engineering, where he is a member of the Digital Engineering Division of the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL).

In his current position, Duncan leads and manages multidisciplinary research teams in projects relating to terrestrial infrastructure systems, including community energy systems comprising grid-interactive efficient buildings, electrified loads, district thermal systems, distributed energy resources (DERs), and microgrids. The teams assess and support the design of these systems by applying techniques from data analysis, modeling and simulation, design space exploration, visualization, optimization, digital twinning, and model-based systems engineering. Duncan also supports the long-running Smart Campus Initiative between ASDL and Georgia Tech Infrastructure & Sustainability (I&S), where researchers analyze and model campus utility systems.

Duncan is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), serving on its Terrestrial Energy Systems (TES) Technical Committee, as well as a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

Below is a brief Q&A with Duncan, where he discusses his research and how it influences the microgrids initiative at Georgia Tech.

• What is your field of expertise and at what point in your life did you first become interested in this area?

My expertise lies in systems engineering for managing energy infrastructure, with a recent focus on the “grid edge,” where demand-side systems like buildings and community-scale projects intersect with distributed energy resources (DERs) and wider utility grids. Initially, as a research engineer, I worked on optimizing combined cycle power plant design. Over the last decade, my research has shifted towardThank the increasing complexity of energy systems on the demand side, including electrified buildings and vehicle charging. Systems engineering involves techniques to understand, design, and manage large-scale systems, evaluating trade-offs and multi-objective goals. It is a privilege to work in this field, especially within the built environment, which is a burgeoning area for these techniques. Overall, I am passionate about orchestrating large systems rather than focusing on specific disciplinary sciences or smaller mechanical aspects.

• What questions or challenges sparked your current energy research? What are the big issues facing your research area right now?

Since my graduate studies at Georgia Tech, where I completed my Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and was affiliated with a sustainable design and manufacturing research group, I have been deeply interested in sustainability. My research on systems design and life cycle management led me to recognize energy as a critical element in sustainability. The conversation around climate impacts has shifted from avoidance to adaptation, highlighting the need for resilient energy systems. As a systems engineer, I find the complexity of managing interconnected energy systems fascinating. Understanding and co-managing these systems is crucial, as is demonstrating their effectiveness beyond simulations. Over the past few years, I have shifted toward more applied, infrastructure-as-a-laboratory experiments to address these challenges.

• What interests you the most leading SEI’s research initiative on microgrids? Why is your initiative important to the development of Georgia Tech’s energy research strategy?

I manage research operations for the Tech Square Microgrid (TSMG), which was established in partnership with Georgia Power and Southern Company. This urban microgrid serves as a resiliency resource for part of the data center on the Coda block and as a test bed for innovative experiments. Although the TSMG project predates my involvement, I have the privilege of coordinating its broader use by the Georgia Tech community. My work focuses on creating a living lab for microgrids, balancing the operation of a real system with accessibility for research and education. This involves managing the complexity of interconnected systems and ensuring their components are understood and effectively deployed. U.S. national labs and funding agencies are interested in such dual-purpose systems that demonstrate real-world applications while pushing the boundaries of current performance. Over the past few years, I have shifted toward more applied, infrastructure-as-a-laboratory experiments to address these challenges.

We have been collecting several years of streaming data from approximately 800 different parameters of the microgrid. This data is stored in a historian and made accessible to the Georgia Tech community, allowing us to observe the grid while Georgia Power maintains its operations. We have accumulated valuable data on operations, status, and faults, which is available to certain parts of the Georgia Tech community. Our goal is to expand access and build a collective understanding and knowledge around this data. We are especially interested in finding data scientists to help maximize the use of data in understanding TSMG behaviors.

• What are the broader global and social benefits of the research you and your team conduct on microgrids?

The research conducted by my team on microgrids offers significant global and social benefits, particularly in the realm of decarbonization. By integrating non-dispatchable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind with dispatchable storage solutions, fuel cells, and reciprocating engines, we aim to create a resilient and stable energy grid. This microgrid not only supports high-performance computing assets at Georgia Tech but also serves as a demonstrator for backup alternatives and their interoperability. Our work provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different energy sources and storage options, contributing to the broader goal of increasing renewable energy use while supporting grid stability. 

• What are your plans for engaging a wider Georgia Tech faculty pool with the broader energy community?

To engage a wider Georgia Tech faculty pool with the broader energy community, we are building a community around the Tech Square Microgrid. This initiative fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among Georgia Tech faculty, Georgia Power, and Southern Company. We have set up a Microsoft Teams site for collaboration and understanding of the microgrid, allowing users to access documents, models, and data. This platform encourages innovative experiments and supports both educational and research purposes. Interested Georgia Tech members can contact me or use this Microsoft Forms link to gain access, ask questions, and share knowledge. We are continuously refining this approach and seeking more participants to expand our community.

• What are your hobbies? 

These days, my hobbies revolve around spending time with my family, including hiking and traveling. My kids are developing interests in chess, sports, and engineering, which has rekindled my own passion for technical pursuits and outdoor activities. I also enjoy music and tinkering with new technologies like devices, 3D printing, and software engineering.

• Who has influenced you the most?

I realize my outlook on life is shaped by a mosaic of influences. As a systems engineer, I appreciate the interconnectedness of various elements. But I’d say that my parents, both psychology professors, have been particularly influential. Their academic lifestyle and mode of inquiry inspired me, and their approach to engaging with students and fostering curiosity has been a primary influence in my life.

What’s the hottest thing in electronics and high-performance computing? In a word, it’s “cool.”

To be more precise, it’s a liquid cooling system developed at Georgia Tech for electronics aimed at solving a long-standing problem: overheating.

Developed by Daniel Lorenzini, a 2019 Tech graduate who earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, the cooling system uses microfluidic channels — tiny, intricate pathways for liquids — that are embedded within the chip packaging.

He worked with VentureLab, a Tech program in the Office of Commercialization, to spin his research into a startup company, EMCOOL, headquartered in Norcross.

“Our solution directly addresses the heat at the source of the silicon chip and therefore makes it faster,” Lorenzini said. “Our design has our system sitting directly on the silicon chips that generate the most heat. Using the fluids in the micro-pin fins, it carries the heat that’s produced away from the chip.”

That cooling solution is directly integrated into the electronic components, making it significantly more efficient than conventional cooling methods, because it enhances the heat dissipation process.

The result is a much lower risk of overheating and reduced power consumption, he said.

Lorenzini, who researched and refined the technology in the lab of Yogendra Joshi at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, was awarded a patent for the technology in September 2024.

Now, EMCOOL, which has five empoloyees, is actively pursuing venture capital funding to scale its technology and address the escalating thermal management challenges posed by AI processors in modern data centers.

The system uses a cooling block with tiny, pin-like fins on one side and a special thermal interface material on the other. There's also a junction attached to the block, with ports for the fluid to flow in and out. The cooling fluid moves through the micro-pin fins and helps to carry away the heat.

Since the ports are designed to match the shape of the fins, it ensures that the fluid flows efficiently and the heat is dissipated as effectively as possible at chip-scale. 

As electronic devices — from high-performance personal computers to data centers used for artificial intelligence processing — become more powerful, they generate more heat. This excess heat can damage components or cause the device to underperform.

Traditional cooling methods, which include fans or heat sinks, often struggle to keep pace with the increasing demands of the newer model electronics. Lorenzini’s microfluidic system addresses the challenge of overheating with his patented, more effective, compact, and integrated cooling solution.

With the guidance of Jonathan Goldman, director of Quadrant-i in Tech’s Office of Commercialization, Lorenzini secured grant funding through the National Science Foundation and the Georgia Research Alliance to further the research and build design prototypes.

“We immediately had the sense there was commercial potential here,” Goldman said. “Thermal management, or getting rid of heat, is a ubiquitous problem in the computer industry, so when we saw what Daniel was doing, we immediately began to engage with him to understand what the commercial potential was.”

Indeed, the initial focus for the technology was the $159 billion global electronic gaming market. Gamers need a lot of computing power, which generates a lot of heat, causing lag.

But beyond gaming systems, the company, which manufactures custom cooling blocks and kits at its Norcross facility, is eyeing more sectors, which also suffer from overheating, Goldman said.

The technology addresses similar overheating electronics challenges in high-performance computing, telecommunications, and energy systems.

“This work propels us forward in pushing the boundaries of what traditional cooling technologies can achieve because by harnessing the power of microfluidics, EMCOOL's systems offer a compact and energy-efficient way to manage heat,” Goldman said. “This has the potential to revolutionize industries reliant on high-performance computing, where heat management is a constant challenge.”

To be based at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Jeremy Epstein will serve as co-director of ICARIS, collaborating with PNNL co-director Danny Herrera to identify and develop ways to confront threats against the nation’s critical infrastructure. He will also serve as an adjunct professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy, which is partnering with GTRI.

ICARIS was formed to serve as the leading national resource for delivering the technologies, testbeds, and talent necessary to serve the nation’s critical infrastructure.

“Anyone using a mobile phone or laptop computer, watching television, driving a modern vehicle, traveling on a highway controlled by traffic signals – or using electricity for most any purpose – is subject to cybersecurity and privacy issues,” said Epstein. “Everything is now computer-controlled, and the security opportunities are there for deliberate adversaries at the nation-state level or malicious actors. We have to look at the big picture and not simply solve challenges one at a time.”

Read Full Story on the GTRI Newspage

For centuries, innovations in structural materials have prioritized strength and durability — often at a steep environmental price. Today, the construction industry accounts for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with cement, steel, and concrete responsible for more than two-thirds of that total. As the world presses for a sustainable future, scientists are racing to reinvent the very foundations of our built environment.

Paradigm Shift in Construction

Now, researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a novel class of modular, reconfigurable, and sustainable building blocks — a new construction paradigm as well-suited for terrestrial homes as it is for extraterrestrial habitats. Their study, published in Matter, demonstrates that these innovative units, dubbed eco-voxels, can reduce carbon footprints by up to 40% compared to traditional construction materials. These units also maintain the structural performance needed for applications ranging from load-bearing walls to aircraft wings.

“We created sustainable structures using these eco-friendly building blocks, combining our knowledge of structural mechanics and mechanical design with industry-relevant manufacturing practices and environmental assessments,” said Christos Athanasiou, assistant professor at the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering.

Housing Affordability Solutions

Their work offers a potential solution to the growing housing affordability crisis. As climate-driven disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods increase, homes are damaged at higher rates, and insurance costs are skyrocketing. This crisis is fueled by rising land prices and restrictive development regulations. Meanwhile, the growing demand for housing places an increasing strain on global resources and the environment. The modularity and circularity of the developed approach can effectively address these issues. 

The New Building Blocks

Eco-voxels — short for eco-friendly voxels, the 3D equivalent of pixels — are made from polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT). PTT is a partially bio-based polymer derived from corn sugar and reinforced with recycled carbon fibers from aerospace waste (scrap material lost during the manufacturing of aerospace components). Eco-voxels can be easily assembled into large, load-bearing structures and then disassembled and reconfigured, all without generating waste. Consequently, they offer a highly adaptable, sustainable approach to construction.

The team tested eco-voxels and found they can handle the pressure that buildings usually face. They also used computer simulations to show that changing the shape of eco-voxels makes them suitable for many different building needs.

The researchers compared the eco-voxel approach to other emerging construction methods like 3D-printed concrete and cross-laminated timber (CLT), finding that eco-voxels offer significant environmental advantages. While traditional and alternative materials are often heavy and carbon-intensive, the eco-voxel wall had the lowest carbon footprint: 30% lower than concrete and 20% lower than CLT.

These results highlight eco-voxels as a promising low-carbon, high-performance solution for sustainable and affordable construction, opening new possibilities for faster, more sustainable building solutions. In addition to residential uses, emergency shelters built with eco-voxels could be used for disaster-relief scenarios, where quick assembly, modularity, and minimal environmental impact are crucial.

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, researchers from Georgia Tech and Emory University have developed a new model that could enable precise, life-saving medication delivery for blood clot patients. The novel technique uses a 3D microchip

Wilbur Lam, professor at Georgia Tech and Emory University, and a clinician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, led the study. He worked closely with Yongzhi Qiu, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. 

The significance of the thromboinflammation-on-a-chip model, is that it mimics clots in a human-like way, allowing them to last for months and resolve naturally. This model helps track blood clots and more effectively test treatments for conditions including sickle cell anemia, strokes, and heart attacks. 

Read the full story from Emory University

In a significant move to bolster Georgia's workforce, Georgia Tech has partnered with Georgia Quick Start to advance manufacturing training and skill development. This collaboration, formalized by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on April 8, aims to elevate the quality and efficiency of manufacturing workforce training across the state.

“At Georgia Tech, innovation isn’t just about discovery — it’s about solving real-world challenges,” said Executive Vice President for Research Tim Lieuwen. “Georgia Quick Start ensures that cutting-edge research in advanced manufacturing translates into practical training solutions. Together, we are equipping Georgia’s workforce with the skills needed to drive economic growth and industry advancement.”

As manufacturing technologies and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, U.S. manufacturers increasingly require skilled workers experienced in advanced manufacturing. For decades, Georgia Quick Start, administered by the Technical College System of Georgia, has been addressing this need and has been recognized as the country’s top workforce training program for 15 years. 

Now, researchers at Georgia Tech will collaborate with Georgia Quick Start to enhance these efforts by developing Extended Reality (XR) training programs, providing a scalable and experiential solution to meet the growing demand for training. 

“We have been so successful for so many years because we stay focused on relevance, flexibility, and responsiveness,” said Scott McMurray, deputy commissioner for Georgia Quick Start. “This partnership is an example of how Quick Start is able to develop and deliver effective training even for companies working on the leading edge of advanced manufacturing technologies.”

Extended Reality, Scaled Training

XR technologies use a combination of virtual and augmented reality to create immersive, interactive experiences. By simulating real-world manufacturing environments and processes, XR has the potential to allow trainees to practice and refine their skills in a controlled, risk-free setting through standardized training experiences. This not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures consistency in training quality across a large workforce.

“Virtual reality scales training by gamifying complex tasks and removing the need for costly or hazardous physical equipment. Augmented reality scales on-the-job training by providing adaptive, context-aware guidance exactly when and where it’s needed, reducing the need for expert supervision,” said manufacturing XR researcher Mohsen Moghaddam, Gary C. Butler Family associate professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. “Together, they make training more consistent, up-to-date, accessible, and safe, especially for workers who may hesitate to ask for assistance from peers or supervisors out of fear of judgment.”

The collaboration will leverage Moghaddam’s research and the AR/VR training space within the expanded Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, providing a state-of-the-art environment for developing and deploying XR training technologies. Researchers from the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) and Georgia AIM(Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing) will also play pivotal roles in the development of these training programs.

“Partnerships like these highlight the power of the integrated University of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia’s workforce development ecosystem,” said Thomas Kurfess, Regents’ Professor and GTMI executive director. “Our country not only needs the creation of new jobs but also the skilled workforce to fill them. At Georgia Tech and GTMI, we are serving as an enabler of innovation in that workforce development.”

In July 2024, the Strategic Energy Institute (SEI), in partnership with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), launched the Energy and National Security Initiative through a campuswide workshop. The event attracted over 100 participants from units across Georgia Tech and GTRI. John Tien, SEI distinguished external fellow, professor of the practice, and former deputy secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, along with Tom Fanning, former CEO at Southern Company, kicked off the workshop with a discussion on the role of energy in national security and the opportunities for Georgia Tech to align its research with this critical topic. 

The event concluded with the announcement of two rounds of seed funding, offering up to $500,000 annually for three years. The first round, announced in September 2024, provided planning grants to six teams to support their initiatives in the fall.  

Recipients of the second phase of seed funding have now been announced. This phase will provide research support in the spring, with an option for additional funding through the 2025-26 academic year. 

“This seed funding initiative by SEI and GTRI is a significant step toward advancing national security through innovative energy solutions. We believe this support will empower the funded teams to explore critical intersections between energy infrastructure and security, fostering groundbreaking advancements for a safer energy future,” said Christine Conwell, SEI’s interim executive director.  

Seven interdisciplinary projects by team members from Georgia Tech and GTRI have been selected for the second phase, also known as Category B (Table 1). 

“The seed grant initiative is supporting energy and national security collaboration among researchers from multiple units across the Georgia Tech campus,” said William H. Robinson, interim chief technology officer and deputy director for Research in GTRI’s Information and Cyber Sciences Directorate. “We are very pleased to see the teamwork of these faculty members as they address important issues facing our nation.”

A follow-up workshop will be held this summer to bring together the awardees of the seed grant program. Additionally, a lunch and learn seminar series is planned in the fall to showcase the research progress of the seed grant program. For updates, visit the Strategic Energy Institute event webpage.

Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Professor Christopher Rozell was inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows at the AIMBE Annual Event on March 31 in Arlington, Va.

College membership honors those, “who have made outstanding contributions to engineering and medicine research, practice, or education,” and “to the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of medical and biological engineering or developing/implementing innovative approaches to bioengineering education.”

The distinction is among the highest professional distinctions given to medical and biological engineers, comprised of the top two percent of engineers in these fields.

He was nominated and inducted for outstanding contributions to computational neuroengineering, psychiatric neuromodulation, and international leadership in accessible biomedical education.

Rozell's research interests are in computational neuroengineering, an intersection of neuroscience, data science, neurotechnology and computational modeling that advances the understanding of brain function and the design of effective interventions.

His research has a particular focus on advancing our understanding and novel brain stimulation therapies for psychiatric disorders such as treatment resistant depression.

Recently, he was part of a team that identified a unique pattern in brain activity that reflects the recovery process in patients with treatment-resistant depression. This pattern, known as a biomarker, represented a significant advance in treatment for the most severe and untreatable forms of depression.

His work also includes research that takes a creative approach to advancing the understanding of the societal impacts of emerging technologies such as neurotechnology and AI.

Rozell especially takes pride in being a first-generation scholar who is committed to accessibility in scientific communities. In pursuit of this goal, he co-founded and serves on the Board of Directors of Neuromatch, Inc., a global nonprofit increasing access to scientific knowledge.

His scholarly efforts have resulted in many published works in top publications, such as Nature, and a number of awards, including the NSF CAREER Award.

Before joining the ECE faculty in 2008 as an assistant professor, Rozell received a B.S.E. degree in computer engineering and a B.F.A. degree in music in 2000 from the University of Michigan. He then received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering in 2002 and 2007 from Rice University and was a postdoctoral scholar at the Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley.

The College of Sciences has named Professor Joel Kostka the inaugural faculty director of Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow. The new center, announced by the College in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life across the state of Georgia. 

“Joel is perfectly suited to lead this new initiative, especially since his research for a number of years has focused on Georgia and the vulnerability of both humans and ecosystems to climate change,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “I look forward to seeing how Science for Georgia’s Tomorrow takes shape and evolves under his thoughtful leadership.”

“I believe that my experience in research administration and in leading multidisciplinary research programs, along with the focus of my research on the vulnerability of Georgia’s communities to climate change, have prepared me well for this role,” says Kostka, who is the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences with a joint appointment in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead the center as its inaugural director.” 

Kostka’s appointment will begin on May 1, 2025. 

Championing science in Georgia

Georgia's Tomorrow was created to foster research related to the health and resilience of Georgia’s people, ecosystems, and communities. Specifically, it will serve to boost research collaboration across the Institute, pave the way for public-private partnerships, and expand opportunities for Georgia students and communities to engage with Institute research. 

Among Kostka’s first tasks as faculty director will be the development of the center’s strategic plan and the completion of two dedicated cluster hires from within the College of Sciences’ six schools. 

Meet Joel Kostka

Kostka is known for bridging biogeochemistry and microbiology to elucidate the role of microorganisms in ecosystem function. He has emerged as an international leader in ecosystem biogeoscience, providing a quantitative predictive understanding of how ecosystems function as well as determining the mechanisms by which climate change alters ecosystem resilience. He partners with a variety of stakeholders to conduct research on the restoration and adaptive management of coastal ecosystems in Georgia.

Kostka has also served as the PI of a range of multidisciplinary research projects focused on environmental change as well as scientific advisory boards including Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute, the NSF-funded Plum Island Estuary Long-term Ecological Research program, and the Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability on Bald Head Island.

Kostka received a B.S. in Biology from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining Georgia Tech in 2011, he was a professor at the Department of Oceanography and Associate Director of the Institute of Energy Systems, Economics, and Sustainability at Florida State University.

Initial support for Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow is generously provided by the College of Sciences Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean's Chair fund. Cluster hire funding has been awarded by Provost Steven W. McLaughlin. The initiative will also seek funding from state, national and international organizations, private foundations, and government agencies to expand impact. Philanthropic support will also be sought in the form of professorships, programmatic support for the center, and seed funding.

Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow initially launched under the working name Science for Georgia's Tomorrow (Sci4GT).