Stony Brook University hosted staff from the offices of Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Nick LaLota, and Representative Laura Gillen for its first annual Congressional Staff Visit Day on August 21. The event provided an overview of how federal funding supports research initiatives at the university and contributes to economic development and national competitiveness.
During the visit, President Andrea Goldsmith met with congressional staff to discuss Stony Brook’s vision for research leadership and its expanding role in addressing national priorities. Goldsmith, who is recognized for her work in wireless communications, emphasized her commitment to advancing the university’s mission through research, innovation, and community engagement.
Since 2020, Stony Brook researchers have received more than $175 million in federal appropriations secured by congressional representatives. This funding has supported projects such as biopolymer research, energy security initiatives, a quantum networking testbed on Long Island, a new inpatient research unit at the University Medical Center, and studies in alternative fuel energy conversion.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of Stony Brook by our Congressional leaders,” said President Goldsmith. “It was a privilege to welcome Congressional staff members to our campus for direct conversations about Stony Brook’s pivotal role in driving innovation, economic growth, and workforce development across Long Island, our great state of New York, the nation and the world. These collaborative partnerships are vital to our mission and reinforce the position of both the university and Stony Brook Medicine as flagship institutions for New York. We look forward to continuing this important work together to accelerate Stony Brook’s excellence and impact in education, research, healthcare, innovation, and service.”
Vice President for Research and Innovation Kevin Gardner highlighted how federal investment enables advancements across disciplines. “Our research enterprise thrives because of the strong partnership between federal investments and the groundbreaking work of our faculty,” said Gardner. “This visit gave us the opportunity to highlight how that support translates into advancements that matter today, while also laying the foundation for discoveries that will shape the future of health, security, and economic growth. We look forward to continuing this tradition and providing our elected representatives with a front-row view of the talent and expertise that make Stony Brook a leader in research and innovation.”
The program began at the Charles B. Wang Center with presentations from faculty working in engineering, materials science, computer science, robotics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence applications in extreme environments, semiconductor crystal growth techniques related to a new $20 million facility (the Onsemi Center for SiC and Related Materials), antifreeze hydrogels funded by U.S. Army grants aimed at improving infrastructure in cold regions; low-power AI chip design for space applications; content integrity; as well as soft robotics designed for aerial or underwater vehicles.
On East Campus at Renaissance School of Medicine and Stony Brook University Hospital faculty discussed federally funded programs focused on infectious disease research—including ABSL-3 labs—cancer clinical trials at open laboratories within Cancer Center facilities; drug discovery; neuroscience; AI-driven medicine; tick-borne illness treatment strategies; new imaging technologies supporting healthy aging; PET/Cyclotron imaging centers; biorepository freezer farms—all demonstrating how federal support advances medical care.
The West Campus portion included tours of computational science labs using high-performance computing resources from Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences along with demonstrations at New York State Quantum Internet Testbed featuring entanglement distribution networks used for secure communication systems or power grid protection efforts. Faculty with joint appointments at Brookhaven National Laboratory shared their collaborations on materials science projects as well as planetary geology or atmospheric science initiatives during lunch sessions held at Simons Center Café before afternoon tours through advanced engineering labs focusing on high-voltage electronics or alternative fuel combustion system developments.
Throughout Congressional Staff Visit Day participants observed firsthand how federally backed partnerships drive progress across defense technology sectors or life sciences while reinforcing SBU’s status as an innovative institution serving both regional interests throughout New York State alongside broader national objectives.
By highlighting ongoing coordination between its Office of Research & Innovation plus Federal Relations office based out of Washington D.C., Stony Brook aims to strengthen policy influence while expanding opportunities stemming from these strategic alliances with government stakeholders.