Stony Brook University has awarded seed grants to ten faculty members, supporting them in hosting research conferences on campus throughout the next year. The initiative is part of the "Spring 2025 Research Conference and Workshop Seed Grant Program," intended to foster collaboration and innovative research across various disciplines, according to Kevin Gardner, the institution's vice president for research.
Gardner described the program as "a strategic investment in our faculty’s capacity to lead, convene, and educate." He emphasized the aim to "create safe spaces for vibrant intellectual dialogues on some of the most innovative ideas across campus that will serve as launchpads for high-impact research."
Each of the seed grants, valued at up to $5,000, will be utilized by faculty members for organizing research events. These funds are provided by multiple university offices, including the Office of the President and the Office for Research and Innovation.
Interim President Richard L. McCormick stressed the importance of these conferences in enhancing Stony Brook's reputation, stating that "the possibilities are endless when researchers explore new directions together."
Executive Vice President and Provost Carl W. Lejuez highlighted the community-building aspect of the grants, stating, "I am proud to see our faculty demonstrating such strong commitments to making Stony Brook a destination for cutting-edge discussions, and to building bridges across and between disciplines."
Among the recipients is Abena Ampofoa Asare of the Department of Africana Studies, whose roundtable will celebrate Dr. Annie Mae Walker’s contributions to education. Stephen Baines from the Department of Ecology and Evolution will focus on ecosystem resilience. Agnieszka Bialkowska, in collaboration with Aleksandra Krajewski, will organize the 20th anniversary of the Women in Medicine and Science Research Day. Valerio Dao plans to gather experts in collider physics, and Robert Harrison will convene a workshop on high-performance computing applications in AI.
The university’s commitment is evident in statements from its leadership and through the diverse topics its faculty will address, from ecosystem resilience to women’s health research.