KU Engineering to partner on $4M Department of Defense grant

LAWRENCE — A research team from the University of Kansas School of Engineering will collaborate with partner institutions Kansas State University and the University of Tennessee Space Institute on a $4 million Department of Defense-sponsored project to enhance opportunities for students interested in pursuing STEM careers.

The project aims to advance U.S. competitiveness in advanced aerospace technologies, including hypersonic, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, according to Shawn Keshmiri, Charles E. & Mary Jane Spahr Professor of Aerospace Engineering and project lead for KU.

“In the midst of a pivotal decade and intense geopolitical competition between the U.S. and its adversaries, the goal of the KU research team is to promote research and innovation in areas with significant implications for U.S. national security,” Keshmiri said.

Students at KU will engage in guided research with faculty at the Center for Remote Sensing and Integrated Systems (CReSIS), the Institute for Information Systems (I2S) and the KU Flight Research Lab. Military-connected and rural high school students will be given priority.

“We want to proactively engage students in cutting-edge research and develop a talent pipeline between the freshman year and graduate school,” Keshmiri said.  

Collaborating with Keshmiri from the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science:

• Drew Davidson, assistant professor
• Shima Fardad, assistant professor
• Carl Leuschen, professor and director of the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets
• Heechul Yun, associate professor

K-State is the lead institution on the project, which will oversee the effort through its Rural Education Center.