Stony Brook University's Vice President for Research, Kevin Gardner, visited the US Capitol to advocate for defense research funding. He met with senior defense staffers from New York's congressional delegation to push for the swift passage of FY25 appropriations bills and to urge Congress to secure funding for advanced defense research in FY26.
Gardner emphasized Stony Brook’s cutting-edge research in national defense areas such as quantum communications, shapeshifting drones, power conversion technology, smart sensor technology, and energy resilience. "We are at a crossroads where continued investment in defense research is essential not just for our national security, but for maintaining the technological leadership of the United States on the global stage," Gardner stated. He added that the work at Stony Brook is vital for keeping the nation ahead of adversaries and training future leaders in science and technology.
This visit is part of an effort to build bipartisan federal support for Stony Brook's research initiatives and highlight its role in advancing US innovation. Gardner held meetings with representatives from Senator Chuck Schumer's office and those of Representatives Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, Tom Suozzi, and Laura Gillen. These meetings were organized by Stony Brook’s Office of Federal Relations, which collaborates with Congress, federal agencies, and the administration to promote university research priorities.