SRC, Syracuse University establish Faculty Immersion Program for collaborative, multidisciplinary research

SRC, Inc., formerly Syracuse Research Corp., and Syracuse University have announced the establishment of the SRC/Syracuse University Faculty Immersion Program. The program is a jointly sponsored effort designed to increase opportunities for collaborative research with multidisciplinary teams, strengthen ties between SRC and SU, and work toward solving challenge problems of national significance, in areas such as defense and the environment.

The goals for the SRC/Syracuse University Faculty Immersion Program are:

• to have research-active faculty and SRC scientists and engineers experience a “fresh perspective” in their approach to solving critical, nationally relevant challenge problems;
• to collectively grow a research portfolio that positively impacts customers, is attractive to potential sponsors and further establishes Syracuse as a “go-to” research hub; and
• to enhance graduate and undergraduate experiential education programs in ways that will better prepare tomorrow’s graduates for successful careers at SRC and similar companies. 

“We are pleased about this new partnership. By bringing together the talent and resources of both SRC and Syracuse University, we can enhance our research and development efforts, provide opportunities for faculty and students to have new and different research experiences and enhance the region’s status as an innovator in technology,” says Paul Tremont, president of SRC. 

“The SRC-SU Faculty Immersion Program is a public-private collaboration that builds on the research strength of our faculty and connects them to a leading-edge company seeking fresh approaches and joint solutions to critical problems,” says SU Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric F. Spina. “This shared investment will build vital multidisciplinary collaborations and foster real innovation right here in Central New York.” 

A pilot version of the program is already in place and will address four active research areas at SU, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, chemical-biological defense and alternative energy. Based on a “seedling” project format modeled after the first phase of SRC’s Advanced Technology Initiative Program, the collaborative program will provide opportunities for SU researchers to work closely with SRC’s research and development staff and subject matter experts. Desired outcomes from these projects include joint technical white papers, presentations, prototypes, demonstrations, research plans and proposals for future work. 

The participating SU researchers include:

• Shiu-Kai Chin, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science;
• Robert Doyle, associate professor of chemistry in The College of Arts and Sciences, and Jon Zubieta, distinguished professor of chemistry in The College of Arts and Sciences.  
• Bartosz Stanilawski, senior research associate in the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs; and Margaret Hermann, professor of political science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs;
• Eric Schiff, professor of physics in The College of Arts and Sciences. 

Program coordinators are Robert DelZoppo, corporate director of technology at SRC, and Gina Lee-Glauser, vice president for research at SU.