FEATUREDPICTUREOF THEMONTH
VDMC’s Jennifer Renne was awarded the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA) Clifton Styles Jr. Beacon Award. This award recognizes individuals from VMA’s member organizations who do the day-to-day work behind the scenes that strengthens and lifts up their coworkers, industry, and community – serving daily as beacons of excellence for others, casting a positive light on Virginia’s maritime industries.
Monthly Awards & Proposals
Across OERI
Menion Croll Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to NIMS Development Team
March, 2026
Congratulations to VISA’s Menion Croll for being recognized by Jason Rea, Release Train Engineer (RTE), for his exceptional contributions to the Naval Autonomy Test System (NIMS) development team.
Jason said, “Menion has consistently proven to be a cornerstone of the program, demonstrating an unmatched blend of quantitative reliability and qualitative dedication. From a data-driven perspective, Menion is the most reliable developer on the NIMS team. Since joining us in Sprint 4.1, he has maintained a remarkable 92% lifetime delivery rate, successfully completing 310 out of his 338 assigned story points. He maintains a highly consistent average velocity of ~3.44 story points per sprint.
In an environment where our team frequently battles system volatility and crossteam dependencies, Menion’s ability to consistently deliver his committed work without carrying it over across sprint boundaries sets the gold standard for Agile execution on this program.”
Jason also stated that Menion’s reliability makes him an absolute asset to the NATS initiative. They are sincerely grateful to him for his continued hard work and excellence!
Menion Croll
Across OERI
ICAR Awards March, 2026
The Institute for Coastal Adaptation & Resilience (ICAR) recently announced recipients of the 2025-2026 Coastal Adaptation & Resilience Multidisciplinary Action (CARMA) intramural grants, each of which are funded by the ICAR Joan P. Brock endowment.
They have also announced more CARMA recipients that are funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia through an appropriation to ICAR, supporting their partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The team also announced recipients of their 2026 Resilient & Adaptable Communities Partnership (RACP) intramural grants. The RACP grants provide seed funding for ODU faculty teams to collaborate with end users on research to advance coastal resilience, focusing on nature-based solutions and blue/green infrastructure in Virginia.
Across OERI
VDMC Participates in Scholastic Summit
March 4, 2026
Scholastic held their Virginia Region 2 Impact Summit at VMASC, bringing together educators and partners from across Hampton Roads. During the event, VDMC’s Curriculum Coordinator, Jennifer Renne, delivered a presentation highlighting several initiatives VDMC is leading to engage and inspire students in the region.
Jennifer spoke about VDMC’s outreach efforts in local elementary schools, where our team introduces maritime concepts at an early age and helps students explore the many opportunities within the maritime industry. By visiting classrooms and participating in school events, VDMC is helping spark curiosity and awareness about maritime careers among young learners.
She also showcased the Maritime Edu Hub, a free educational resource designed for students and educators. The platform features immersive environments, simulations, and hands-on STEM projects that allow students to explore maritime technologies and career pathways in an interactive way.
VDMC was excited to be able to participate in Scholastic Education’s summit and share the work they are doing to inspire and educate the next generation of maritime professionals.
Across OERI
SATTL’s Rafi Soule Successfully Defends Dissertation
March 6, 2026
Congratulations to SATTL’s Rafi Soule for successfully defending her dissertation! Quite a few OERI team members were there to cheer her on!
BRIDGING MISSION AND EXECUTION: INTEGRATING PARTICIPATORY DESIGN IN EARLY-PHASE MISSION ENGINEERING FOR STAKEHOLDER ALIGNMENT AND MISSION CLARITY
Abstract:
This dissertation examines mission framing during the early phase of Mission Engineering. Stakeholder interpretations diverge under ambiguity. Interoperability constraints are often not surfaced early. These conditions reduce mission clarity and weaken mission-to-system mapping readiness. The study integrates a participatory design-inspired, artifact-first workflow with RAG-enabled retrieval from a closed corpus to support evidence-grounded reasoning and traceable citations.
Phase 1 uses an online survey to establish baseline patterns in practice (N = 86). Shared understanding is positively associated with mission clarity (r = 0.60, p < 0.001). Phase 2 uses a time-bounded comparative workshop with two conditions. Expert reviewers rate mission statement quality higher for the participatory design condition (mean 3.5) than the traditional condition (mean 2.8). Technical feasibility ratings are similar across conditions. Phase 3 demonstrates RAG-enabled, closed-corpus, retrieval-supported traceability using the Referencer tool. It is reported as a proof-of-concept for evidence-grounded rationale and auditability, and as a pathway to improved mission clarity and mission-to-system mapping. Benchmark-level retrieval and generation metrics are not claimed.
Overall, the findings support early-phase Mission Engineering as a sociotechnical integration process. The dissertation contributes a construct spine and an artifact-based approach to evaluate mission clarity.
Across OERI
COGR Visit
March 9, 2026
OERI had the privilege of welcoming Matt Owens, President of the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), to our facilities to learn more about the innovative work happening across our research centers.
During the visit to the SEALab, VISA Executive Director Yiannis Papelis highlighted the team’s work on David’s Project (with Lead Project Scientist Ahmet Saglam, Ph.D.), a specialized telehealth robot designed to help isolated, hospitalized children connect with the outside world. Inspired by patient David Carey, the robot incorporates 3Dprinted components and is designed to provide social interaction for children with compromised immune systems.
Mr. Owens also engaged with researchers from VDMC (Dr. Jessica M. Johnson Ph.D) who demonstrated several applied research and cognitive engineering projects spanning K-12 through industry utilizing multimodal technology, in addition to showcasing a project targeting foreign language acquisition and engagement in VR for middle and high school students (John Shull).
It was a wonderful visit, and we appreciated the opportunity to showcase the innovation and impact our research centers are having on Hampton Roads and beyond.
Across OERI
4th Annual ODU Maritime Conference
March 10, 2026
VDMC participated in ODU’s 4th Annual Maritime Conference, NextWave: Advancing the Future of Shipbuilding and Ship Repair through Industry Collaboration, Innovation, and Workforce Development.
VDMC’s Jessica Johnson spoke about the critical workforce development gaps facing the maritime industry and highlighted some of the work VDMC is doing to help close those gaps.
Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Renne, Research Associate Professor and Digital Analytics Lead Dr. Krzysztof Rechowicz, and Learning Engineer Jason Dudley were at a table in the exhibitor area, where they connected with attendees and answered questions about VDMC’s outreach initiatives and the upcoming Digital Ship Challenge, which will bring together students, researchers, and industry partners to tackle real-world maritime problems using digital tools and emerging technologies.
Attendees were also excited to hear from keynote speaker Matthew Sermon of Maritime Industrial Base Program (MIB), who spent part of the morning with members of VDMC’s team discussing the evolving needs of the maritime workforce and the importance of investing in innovation to strengthen the nation’s shipbuilding and ship repair capabilities.
Mr. Sermon also gave VDMC a shout-out in his keynote speech at the Conference!
Across OERI
HEAL’s Arash Ghorbannia Approved for AHA Award
March 10, 2026
Dr. Arash Ghorbannia, HEAL Research Assistant Professor, has received the American Heart Association (AHA) Career Development Award, a three-year $231,000 grant designed to support early-career investigators in cardiovascular and stroke research.
His project, “Digital Twin Guided Prevention of Hypertension in Coarctation of the Aorta Survivors,” starts April 1, 2026 and will conclude March 31, 2029.
Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a common congenital heart defect in which patients remain at high risk of developing hypertension despite early surgical repair. This project aims to identify activity-driven hemodynamic patterns that contribute to hypertension progression and to develop a precision health framework named “iTwin" that integrates wearable data with physicsbased cardiovascular digital twins to provide personalized, real-time strategies for risk mitigation.
The AHA Career Development Award provides $77,000 annually for research salary, project expenses, and mentoring, targeting researchers in their first faculty appointment. Congrats Arash!
Across OERI
Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) Innovation Competition
March 19, 2026
VDMC and DivRED team members volunteered at the Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA)’s 20th Annual Ship Repair Digital Innovation Competition, where middle school students from across Hampton Roads showcased their skills in CAD design, technical writing, and professional presentations.
With the ship repair industry contributing $6.4 billion to the Hampton Roads economy and supporting over 60,000 jobs, these students are getting a head start on vital career paths. From designing ship components to presenting to industry experts, every participant demonstrated impressive analytical and conceptual skills.
Here are the 2026 Winners:
1st Place: Academy at Rosemont ($1,500)
2nd Place: St. Matthew’s Catholic School ($1,000)
3rd Place: Chesapeake Academy ($500)
Special shoutout to VDMC’s Jessica Galassie, who mentored the third place winnersCheseapeake Academy!
Joseph Kosteczko (DivRED) and Jessica Johnson (VDMC) were judges, while Jennifer Renne (VDMC) was a score keeper. This is a great event that highlights the power of early STEM engagement and the exciting opportunities available in the maritime industry.
VMASC at VEMS 2026: Turning Hazard Data into A
March 16-19, 2026
Emergency management professionals from across Virginia ga Norfolk for the 2026 Virginia Emergency Management Symposi (VEMS), co-hosted by the Virginia Emergency Management Ass (VEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Manageme
VMASC researchers delivered two sessions that translated modeling, data, and field engagement into actionable strategies for communities facing flooding, tornadoes, and severe wind events.
The Commonwealth has experienced 76 federal disaster declarations since 1953, reflecting exposure to hurricanes, floods, winter storms, and other natural hazards. In response, Virginia has invested nearly $500 million in Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding since 1990, supporting more than 700 projects and reducing risk for more than 1,800 properties statewide.
In the session “Post-Disaster Loss Avoidance Studies in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” a team led by Kaleen Lawsure from VMASC, in collaboration with Kevin O’Brien from the Virginia Institute for Spaceflight & Autonomy (VISA), walked through how these mitigation investments are being systematically evaluated. The team used post-disaster loss avoidance studies to estimate the real-world damages that were prevented by completed projects such as acquisitions and elevations in flood-prone neighborhoods, and critical facility physical protective measure while supporting updates to the Commonwealth of Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Grounded in Virginia’s diverse flood risk profile, the presentation highlighted:
Virginia’s hazard history and flood exposure, from coastal and tidal flooding in low-lying urban corridors to riverine and flash flooding in the mountainous western region.
Mitigation measures implemented across the state with HMA support, and how they align with local and state resilience priorities.
Post-mitigation loss avoidance results, including success stories where projects demonstrably reduced damages during recent events, as well as recurring challenges in data, documentation, and communicating benefits to decision-makers.
See more here: https://vmasc.org/vmasc-at-vems-2026-turning-hazard-data-into-action/
Across OERI
All about the Center for Mission Engineering
March 21, 2026
The Center for Mission Engineering (CME), founded early in 2025 as the nation’s first Mission Engineering applied research center, earned provisional status this March as an ODU “research institute or center (RIC)”, with kickstarting government and industry initiatives built on partnerships aligned with DivRED’s Strategic plan and OERI’s deep bench of modeling and simulation capabilities – amended by AI and Machine Learning resources.
As CME Executive Director Dr. Thomas Irwin notes, “We’re all about research that advances Mission Engineering and Integration, in alignment with the delivery of desired warfighting mission outcomes as directed by serial federal authorities including SECWAR Memo “Reforming Joint Requirements Process” (August 2025) and Dept. of War Report “Acquisition Transformation Strategy” (November 2025).” This is familiar DoW territory for Irwin, recently retired from a Marine Corps and Joint Staff career of delivering Innovation to the warfighter.
Further, the Office of Undersecretary of War (R&E) released on March 6 2026 a predecisional architecture for the DoW Mission Engineering Integration Activity, on which CME was consulted and for which CME plans to take implementation leadership on ODU’s behalf with government, industry and international partners with whom CME is already engaged to optimize mission readiness and realize mission outcomes. ODU AVP Dr. Marty Irvine, a former Pentagon colleague of Dr. Irwin, plays a key CME advocacy and support role.
Principal CME research themes include:
AI/ML-optimized maturity models to enhance mission execution capabilities
Digitally-based systems dynamics tools for mission readiness assessment
AI-enabled maturity tools to digitally transform workflow processes
Model-Based Mission Engineering (MBME) exploration of behavioral modeling
These themes leverage ODU and OERI engineering strengths as the first US university to develop “next generation” Mission Engineering improvements, provide aligned workforce upskilling venues for government and industry users, and test and evaluate research theme technologies in shipyards, Air Combat Command, Space Domain Organizations, and other operational mission environments. Critical maritime partners include two HII divisions: Newport News Shipbuilding and Mission Technology Solutions. Continued on next page...
Across OERI
These collaborative CME activities are designed to contribute to further externally sponsored Mission Engineering research by government and industry -- and energize internal ODU partnerships to complement and generate engineering curricula and certification.
CME leadership includes Dr. Deri Draper-Amason, currently designated Lead Project Scientist but with a history of ODU titles including Provost Faculty Fellow. Among other publications, Dr. Draper-Amason has published three Mission Engineering-themed papers via the Naval Postgraduate School, which plays a key role in the DoW transformation of Systems Engineering to System-of-Systems and on to Mission Engineering 3.0. Recently, she presented at the 2026 Defense Manufacturing Conference on her AI/Machine Learning innovations in DoW “readiness” assessments, funded by OUSD (R&E) Office of Specialty Engineering.
CME partners include:
OUSW R&E Digital Manufacturing Enterprise Working Group, with ~75 warfighting industry and government advanced engineers
NDIA Digital Manufacturing Working Group, with ~30 warfighting industry digital engineers from >12 companies
Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, a NATO affiliate seeking an East Coast Mission Engineering training center
HII Newport News Shipyard, which has contracted CME to assess AI integration opportunities in yard workflow processes.
Kompozition Inc., an AUKUS-related partnership focused on behavioral modeling consequences of Mission Engineering applications
NSWC Dahlgren, co-offering intensive, comprehensive Mission Engineering Competency Workshops
NSWC Corona, a logistics partnership with its NAVSEA Acquisition Director to expedite acquisition contracting processes
To learn more or to collaborate, visit missionengineering.org.
Across OERI
VDMC’s Jennifer Renne Receives Clifton Styles Jr. Beacon Award
March 25, 2026
Jennifer Renne was selected to receive the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA) Clifton Styles Jr. Beacon Award. She was presented the award at the VMA’s Maritime Breakfast Briefing at the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club.
This award recognizes individuals from VMA’s member organizations who do the day-today work behind the scenes that strengthens and lifts up their coworkers, industry, and community – serving daily as beacons of excellence for others, casting a positive light on Virginia’s maritime industries.
Clifton Styles Jr. was a beacon to everyone he met. His life was guided by purpose, rooted in family, strengthened by hard work, shaped by integrity, and defined by a steady commitment to excellence. At the 105th Annual Maritime Banquet, the Virginia Maritime Association was honored to posthumously award Cliff the inaugural Beacon Award and to name this award in his memory, recognizing those who guide others through integrity, teamwork, and spirit.
Congratulations to Jen!
JENNIFERRENNE
Jennifer is VDMC’s Curriculum Coordinator and the lead for the Digital Ship Challenge.
She is a previous teacher for Landstown High School Governor’s STEM and Technology Academy and is originally from New York!
Across OERI
VDMC Attends ITEEA Conference
March 27, 2026
Several VDMC team members presented at the 2026 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Annual Conference: Making Waves: Forces Advancing Technology, Engineering, and STEM Education.
Research Assistant Professor Dr. Jessica Johnson, Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Renne, and Learning Engineer Jason Dudley led an interactive session on maritime STEM through two simulation-based activities. Using AR, VR, and hands-on mockups, they demonstrated how STEM concepts apply to real-world challenges
Participants gained practical classroom strategies for connecting STEM learning to workforce readiness. This conference provided a great opportunity for VDMC team members to connect with other educators, explore the innovations shaping today’s classrooms, and showcase how VDMC is opening pathways for K-12 students in maritime technology and careers!
Across OERI
CSICS Dr. Sachin Shetty Named 2025 ODU University Eminent Scholar
March 27, 2026
Sachin Shetty, Ph.D., professor in the Old Dominion University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and executive director of the Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems has been named a 2025 Old Dominion University Eminent Scholars.
The Eminent Scholar designation, awarded to faculty at the full professor level, recognizes exceptional contributions and service to the university. Nominees must demonstrate a distinguished record of scholarly publications or creative achievement and have a nationally recognized reputation in their field.
Dr. Shetty’s research focuses on cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure, as well as cloud and mobile systems. He has developed models for detecting threats in cognitive radio networks, cloud auditing, moving target defense, and blockchainbased data provenance. Currently, he is advancing cyber risk and resilience metrics to quantify and manage security posture in IT/OT environments.
Dr. Shetty will receive the permanent title of Eminent Scholar and be recognized in university publications.
Dr. Shetty will be formally honored at the university’s annual Faculty and Administration Awards Dinner, and his name will be added to a campus plaque recognizing his achievements.
Congrats!
Across OERI
VDMC’s Gul Ayaz Guest Speaker
March 27, 2026
VDMC’s Gul Ayaz was invited as a guest speaker for ODU’s GEOG 306T: Hazards—Natural and Technological course, where she discussed the impact of flooding in Norfolk and how policy decisions can shape community resilience.
Gul also highlighted how the serious game, Hampton Roads: Building Resilient Communities, helps players explore these decisions and understand their real-world impact. Gul displayed how the game works, how there are short and long term impacts to decisions they make, and how the game can help better inform the community about how the decisions we make today impact our future.
Across OERI
Great Suffolk CleanUp
April 3, 2026
OERI team members were excited to once again participate in the Great Suffolk Cleanup!
This year, 15 volunteers from across our centers rolled up their sleeves and collected 17 bags of litter, ranging from cigarette butts and plastic water bottles to one unexpected find - a giant metal panel!
This marks our third year participating, and we’ve noticed something awesome —it’s actually getting more difficult to find trash in our area. That’s a win and a testament to the impact we’re making together!
We wrapped up the day with some fun awards for the most trash collected, the heaviest haul, and the weirdest find.
Looking forward to doing it again next year!
Across OERI
VMASC Industry Association Annual Meeting
April 14, 2026
The VMASC Industry Association held its annual meeting where participants heard from Dr. Kenneth Fridley, Vice President for Research & Economic Development, who shared the university’s strategic vision for achieving national and global impact through key research thrust areas, many of which align closely with the work of OERI’s centers.
Several Executive Directors representing OERI centers shared highlights of their impactful work and the continued progress being made across their programs. Their presentations showcased the innovation and dedication driving meaningful change in our communities, while strongly aligning with ODU's strategic research areas.
Dr. Barry Ezell, VMASC’s Interim Executive Director, provided an overview of the center, highlighting the current programs and strong momentum while outlining an inspiring vision for the future as VMASC approaches its 30th anniversary in 2027.
VDMC Publication
March, 2026
Title: A Macrocognitive Design Taxonomy for Simulation-Based Training Systems: Bridging Cognitive Theory and Human-Computer Interaction
Author: Dr. Jessica Johnson
Computers Journal, [in press]
ABSTRACT
Simulation-based training systems are increasingly deployed to prepare learners for complex, safety-critical, and dynamic work environments. While advances in computing have enabled immersive and data-rich simulations, many systems remain optimized for procedural accuracy and surface-level task performance rather than the macrocognitive processes that underpin adaptive expertise. Macrocognition encompasses higher-order cognitive processes that are essential for performance transfer beyond controlled training conditions. When these processes are insufficiently supported, training systems risk fostering brittle strategies and negative training effects. This paper introduces a macrocognitive design taxonomy for simulation-based training systems derived from a large-scale meta-analysis examining the transfer of macrocognitive skills from immersive simulations to realworld training environments. Drawing on evidence synthesized from 111 studies spanning healthcare, industrial safety, skilled trades, and defense contexts, the taxonomy links macrocognitive theory to human–computer interaction (HCI) design affordances, computational data traces, and feedback and adaptation mechanisms shown to support transfer. Grounded in joint cognitive systems theory and learning engineering practice, the taxonomy treats macrocognition as a designable and computable system concern informed by empirical transfer effects rather than as an abstract explanatory construct.
CSICS/VDMC/ODU Poster Accepted
CSICS’ Lawrence Obiuwevwi and Sachin Shetty, VDMC’s Krzysztof Rechowicz, as well as Vikas Ashok (ODU Computer Science) and Sampath Jayarathna (Perry Honors College and ODU Computer Science) have had a poster paper (extended abstract) accepted to the Extended Abstracts of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA ’26).
The ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems is the leading international conference on Human-Computer Interaction CHI 2026 will take place in Barcelona at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona.
Their work, “Cognitive Prosthetic: An AI-Enabled Multimodal System for Episodic Recall in Knowledge Work,” introduces the Cognitive Prosthetic Multimodal System (CPMS) a proof-of-concept system that integrates speech, physiological, and gaze data to enable structured, AI-powered episodic memory retrieval in knowledge work environments
This research explores how multimodal sensing combined with natural language interfaces can move beyond passive data logging toward AI-enabled reflective memory augmentation.
Link to the paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2603.02072
New HEAL Publications
HEAL is excited to share the results of two complementary studies produced through an ongoing collaboration between Drs. Ginger Watson and Philippe Giabbanelli and SurgicalEd VR, led by Dr. Lauren Siff.
Many urogynecologic procedures rely heavily on tactile feedback and spatial judgment, creating significant training challenges and patient safety risks. These two studies evaluate a novel VR-based technology designed to provide safe, simulationbased skill development while generating objective performance data.
In the first study, (What Makes an Expert Surgeon? Novel Metrics for Evaluating Skills in Simulation) we demonstrated that the platform can reliably distinguish experts from novices using quantitative metrics such as motion smoothness, force consistency, and trajectory similarity. This ability is important: a training system needs to accurately recognize expertise. By identifying measurable differences in performance, the tool can support competency benchmarking, individualized feedback, and evidence-based progression in surgical training.
In the second study, (Leveraging Virtual Reality and Haptics to Teach Surgical Skills: A Usability Study on Retropubic Midurethral Slings) our usability evaluation showed that SurgicalEd VR is acceptable to both trainees and experienced surgeons, with appropriate levels of mental workload for surgical education. This matters because even the most sophisticated analytics are ineffective if the technology is not usable, realistic, and cognitively appropriate for learners.
These studies move VR beyond being a “practice environment” and toward becoming an objective assessment and decision-support tool in surgical education. By combining immersive simulation with validated performance analytics, this collaboration demonstrates how industry and academia can work together to improve training quality, reduce reliance on trial-and-error learning, and ultimately enhance patient safety
New H Publications
HEAL is excited to share a new paper resulting from a collaboration between Dr. Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Dr. Peter Revay (Two Six Technologies) and Dr. Steven Gray (Michigan State University). This article, titled "Connecting modeling requirements and the choice of activation functions in fuzzy cognitive map simulations", has been published in the journal Neural Computing and Applications, a Q1-ranked journal in Artificial Intelligence and software-related research.
Many real-world decisions (about public health, the environment, security, or infrastructure) depend on understanding complex systems where many factors influence each other. One tool researchers often use for this is Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs): models that represent systems as networks of causes and effects so we can explore “what might happen if…” scenarios.
The paper looks at a surprisingly important but often overlooked technical choice in these simulations: the activation function. These functions control how influences propagate through the model. They determine whether the system stabilizes, oscillates, or produces unrealistic outcomes. Yet in many studies, this choice is made with little guidance. When models are used for decision support, small technical choices can quietly change the conclusions.
This work identifies measurable characteristics for these activation functions and demonstrate through large-scale simulation experiments that the choice of an activation function can lead to very different simulation dynamics. This provides practical guidelines to help modelers choose the right tool to match their goals. By making the role of activation functions more transparent, we help ensure that analyses are more interpretable, more robust, and better aligned with the needs of decision makers.
Researchers from Old Dominion University have taken a deep dive into one of endurance sport’s most iconic questions: why does the Tour de France just keep getting faster?
Dr Patrick Wilson, Dr Ross Gore, Paul Sarac, Ian Winter, and Nicole Knight analyzed 40 years of stage- and tour-level data to understand how performance has evolved across flat, hilly, mountain, and time trial stages.
The team found that speeds have increased steadily for flat, hilly, and mountain stages (≈0.09–0.12 km/h per year), with smaller changes in time trials. Interestingly, the year itself was a stronger predictor of winning Tour speed than classic routedesign variables like distance, vertical gain, or ProfileScore, suggesting that factors beyond stage design (e.g., equipment, tactics, and preparation) are playing an outsized role.
They then used an ensemble model that combines stage-stratified and continuous tour-level models to forecast the 2026 Tour de France winning speed at 41.81 km/h (95% CI: 39 96–43 65), and extended those projections out to 2035 This work adds a new, data-driven perspective to long-running debates about how much course design versus broader performance evolution is driving faster Tours.
Dr. Wilson, Sarac, Winter, and Knight are based in the Human Performance Laboratory in the ODU School of Exercise Science, Ellmer College of Health Science at ODU. Dr. Gore is with the Center for Secure and Intelligent Critical Systems (CSICS) in the Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation at ODU.
You can read the full preprint here: https://sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/770
HEAL is sharing a new publication resulting from a large collaboration across institutions including Old Dominion University, the CDC, Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University, Western Sydney University, and others.
The paper, “An artificial intelligence approach to support adolescent suicide prevention initiatives in the United States,” addresses one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time: youth suicide. Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents, affecting millions of young people and families each year and creating a societal burden exceeding $100 billion annually in the U.S.
In this collaboration, they developed a novel AI-driven simulation model that represents individual adolescents (ages 12–19) and the complex interactions between risk factors (e.g., bullying, mental health challenges, substance use, adverse childhood experiences) and protective factors (e.g., connectedness, access to care, coping skills) By integrating many nationally representative datasets, the model allows researchers and policymakers to explore “what-if” scenarios such as what might happen if schools strengthen anti-bullying policies or expand access to mental health services. Ultimately, this work provides a transparent, data-driven decision-support tool that can help guide national prevention strategies.
HEAL is grateful to all collaborators who contributed their expertise to this effort. Tackling complex public health challenges like youth suicide requires exactly this kind of interdisciplinary, cross-institutional collaboration.
New HEAL Paper
HEAL is excited to share a new paper on a challenge that many simulation practitioners face: how to communicate the results of complex agent-based models to decision-makers who are not simulation experts. The paper was authored by former VMASC research intern Noe Flandre and research professor Dr Philippe J Giabbanelli
Agent-based models can generate huge volumes of data across many scenarios, parameters, and repeated simulations. While this richness is scientifically valuable, it can make it difficult for policymakers, analysts, and stakeholders to quickly understand what the simulations actually mean.
In the new paper, “Distilling the Complexity of Agent-Based Simulations into Textual Explanations via Large Language Models,” researchers demonstrate how state-of-the-art multimodal large language models (LLMs) can automatically transform simulation outputs into clear narrative explanations. The study focuses on the latest models available in 2026, including Gemini 3.1 Pro, Qwen 3.5, Kimi K2.5, and Claude Opus 4.6.
The system takes simulation outputs (time-series and/or statistical summaries) and uses multimodal LLMs to automatically find the insightful parts of these outputs, then it produces executive-style reports. The reports tell decision-makers what matters the most: what is the purpose of the model, what experiments were done, and what was observed during simulations.
This is an open access article, published in Big Data and Cognitive Computing, a Q1 journal in AI and computer applications.
OERI In The News
Virginialawmakerspassedbigchangestoenergyandenvironmentpolicythisyear. Here’salook.
whro.org
March 20, 2026
Lots of legislation that made it through this year’s General Assembly session touches on environmental issues.
That includes expanding access to solar power, boosting coastal marshes, optimizing the electric grid and protecting water from contaminants.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger still needs to sign all approved bills by April 13 for them to become laws.
Trees: Legislation expands the authority of local governments to require builders to plant or replace trees during the development process. Old Dominion University’s Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience will also lead a workgroup to review tree canopy laws across the state.
HowMuchIsNatureWorth?ODUResearcherHastheAnswer
odu.edu
April 6, 2026
By Jonah Grinkewitz
Nature-based solutions such as restoring wetlands and oyster reefs help communities manage flooding and sea level rise. But beyond reducing risk, what value do these strategies provide to residents?
Old Dominion University researcher
Laura Costadone, Ph.D., is working to answer that question.
An assistant research professor with Old Dominion University’s Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience, Dr. Costadone uses data and modeling tools to measure the economic and recreational value of green spaces, biodiversity and nature-based flood solutions in Hampton Roads. Her research draws on data from social media platforms and travel sites like TripAdvisor to understand how people interact with nature.
She then translates that information into estimates of the monetary value of existing and potential coastal resilience projects, as well as their benefits for residents’ health and well-being.
“We always keep communities and local government at the center of the research because we want to make sure that what we produce is relevant,” Dr. Costadone said. One of the first projects she worked on after joining Old Dominion University in 2023 was with the City of Virginia Beach to produce a cost-benefit analysis on converting the Bow Creek Golf Course into a stormwater park. A stormwater park is a public work that manages stormwater while providing recreational features like playgrounds, dog parks or nature trails.
Although reducing flooding was the main goal of the project, Dr. Costadone highlighted the recreational opportunities the park would offer to residents and the ecological benefits to the area.