Norwich University

THIS AWARD WILL DEVELOP THE DOD CYBER INSTITUTES.

PURPOSE/SCOPE: THE CYBER FUSION CENTER'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO SERVE AS A SANDBOX FOR FUSION OF INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION IN THESE MULTIPLE CYBERSECURITY-ALLIED AREAS AND ENGAGE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. IT WILL SERVE AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN NORWICH FACULTY AND STUDENTS IN CENTRAL VERMONT AND LOCAL AND NATIONAL PARTNERS TO EXPLORE MULTIDISCIPLINARY SOLUTIONS TO INFORMATION ADVANTAGE PROBLEM SETS FROM SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS TO PROTECTING OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY. THIS NEW BUILDING, LOCATED ON NORWICH CAMPUS AT THE HOLLIS HOUSE SITE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 20,000 SQUARE FEET. IT WILL BE DESIGNED TO INCLUDE A CYBER FUSION WELCOME CENTER WITH A CHECK-IN AREA, COAT ROOM, ONE OR MORE LARGE OPEN MEETING SPACES THAT CAN HOLD 100 PEOPLE WITH PROJECTION, AUDIO, AND VIDEOCONFERENCING CAPABILITIES, AN ADJACENT FOOD SERVICE AREA WITH A KITCHEN, SINK AND SET UP FOR CATERING AND A BAR FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZED EVENTS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A MAKER SPACE FOR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, EXCHANGE OF IDEAS THROUGH MULTIDISCIPLINARY FUSION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION AND EXPERIENTIAL ENGAGEMENT, AND SERVING AS A HUB FOR LOCAL, STATEWIDE, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL CONVENING FOR DIALOGUE AND DISCOVERY THROUGH MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND SYMPOSIA. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE CYBER FUSION CENTER WILL DO MUCH FOR VERMONT'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FURTHER ENHANCE NORWICH UNIVERSITY'S AND VERMONT'S POSITION AS A NATIONAL PLAYER IN THE CYBER SPACE, AS WE LOOK TO HOST THE NATIONAL CYBER FUSION CENTER. FURTHERMORE, THE CARBON-NEUTRAL SETTING OF THE FACILITY WILL REDUCE ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES:COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AND GROWING OUR COMMUNITY, THIS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY WILL FOCUS ON NOT ONLY CYBER BUT EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, ENGAGING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS, AND BUILDING NORTHFIELD'S INNOVATION CULTURE. THE FLEXIBLE SPACE WILL PROVIDE AN INTERACTIVE LOCATION FOR CYBER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, NATIONAL SPEAKERS, RESEARCH FELLOWS, AND STUDENT INTERNS, ELEVATING THE NORWICH BRAND AND ITS CYBER PROGRAMS. STUDENTS WILL ENGAGE IN EXPERIENTIAL, REAL-WORLD HIGH-IMPACT PRACTICES THAT WILL MAKE THEM CAREER READY IN A MUCH-NEEDED ARENA. THE MAKER SPACE WILL ALLOW FOR NEW INNOVATIONS, FURTHERING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION AS NEW TECHNOLOGIES BECOME COMMERCIALIZED AND KEY PARTNERSHIPS ARE FORMED.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONEUSEFUL LIFE: 20 YEARS

INSTITUTIONAL COSTS FOR NORWICH UNIVERSITY

EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR STUDENTS AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS

ADVANCED COMPUTING THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

CYBERCORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOR SERVICE (RENEWAL): DEVELOPING CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONALS WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPETENCIES -IN THE MODERN ERA OF HEIGHTENED CONNECTIVITY, ADDRESSING CYBER THREATS IS PARAMOUNT. NORWICH UNIVERSITY ALIGNS WITH THE NATIONAL GOAL OF CULTIVATING TOP-TIER SCHOLARS AND LEADERS IN CYBERSECURITY IN GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS. THIS PROJECT PLANS TO (1) INCREASE PARTICIPATION OF UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATIONS IN CYBERSECURITY, (2) EQUIP SCHOLARS WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND MACHINE LEARNING (ML) THROUGH AN INTEGRATED BS/MS PROGRAM, AND (3) EXPAND UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES THAT ESTABLISH A SCIENCE OF CYBERSECURITY. THE PROJECT AIMS TO RECRUIT SCHOLARS COMMITTED TO DEFENDING CYBERSPACE FOR THE COLLECTIVE BENEFIT OF THE NATION. IT WILL OFFER VARIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS: (1) PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS TO JOIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE IN CYBERSECURITY ROLES, (2) ENHANCED EDUCATION THROUGH NEW AI AND ML CLASSES, (3) FACULTY DEVELOPMENT TO ENRICH CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES, (4) INTEGRATION OF CUTTING-EDGE AI AND ML INTO THE CURRICULUM, AND (5) FACILITATION OF STUDENT RESEARCH PUBLICATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CYBERSECURITY AS A SCIENCE. THESE CONTRIBUTIONS COULD ULTIMATELY ENHANCE CYBERSECURITY, MAKING CYBERSPACE SAFER AND MORE TRUSTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROJECT TARGETS SPECIFIC RECRUITMENT GOALS, INCLUDING INCREASING PARTICIPATION FROM WOMEN, UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS, AND VETERANS WHILE ALSO ENGAGING THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUTREACH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CYBER CAMPS AND RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS, THEREBY IMPROVING PUBLIC SCIENTIFIC LITERACY AND ADVANCING AI RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INTEGRATION. THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY THE CYBERCORPS? SCHOLARSHIP FOR SERVICE (SFS) PROGRAM, WHICH FUNDS PROPOSALS ESTABLISHING OR CONTINUING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS IN CYBERSECURITY AND ALIGNS WITH THE U.S. NATIONAL CYBER STRATEGY TO DEVELOP A SUPERIOR CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE. FOLLOWING GRADUATION, SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN CYBERSECURITY FOR A FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION FOR THE SAME DURATION AS THEIR SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

NORWICH SCHOLARSHIP FOR SERVICE PROGRAM FY2018 - FY2023

STATE AND LOCAL HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

STATE AND LOCAL HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

FROM ENROLLMENT TO GRADUATION: STRENGTHENING CRITICAL PIPELINES IN ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT -THIS PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL NEED FOR WELL-EDUCATED SCIENTISTS, MATHEMATICIANS, ENGINEERS, AND TECHNICIANS BY SUPPORTING THE RETENTION AND GRADUATION OF HIGH-ACHIEVING, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED AT NORWICH UNIVERSITY. A TOTAL OF 24 SCHOLARS PURSUING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT WILL RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS AVERAGING $15,000 FOR UP TO FIVE YEARS. SCHOLARS WILL RECEIVE FACULTY AND PEER MENTORING, AND THE PROJECT WILL BUILD STRONG SCHOLAR COHORTS THROUGH CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOLARS INCLUDE ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS TRACK 2 SCHOLARSHIPS IN STEM PROJECT IS TO INCREASE STEM DEGREE COMPLETION OF ACADEMICALLY TALENTED, LOW-INCOME UNDERGRADUATES WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL NEED TO GROW THE STEM WORKFORCE AND NURTURE KEY TALENT THAT WILL ENSURE ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND PROVIDE DOMESTIC LEADERSHIP ACROSS CRITICAL SECTORS. THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY SPEAKS TO THIS NEED BY SUPPORTING STEM STUDENT SUCCESS, WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN THE WORKFORCE IN BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN SECTORS AND OTHER KEY AREAS OF NEED. THE PROJECT WILL BE ASSESSED BY AN EXPERIENCED EVALUATOR WHO WILL LEAD A FORMATIVE AND SUMMATIVE EVALUATION PROCESS, AND THE DATA GENERATED WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE KNOWLEDGE BASE REGARDING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT TALENTED, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN STEM. THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY NSF'S SCHOLARSHIPS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAM, WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ACADEMICALLY TALENTED, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED WHO EARN DEGREES IN STEM FIELDS. IT ALSO AIMS TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OF FUTURE STEM WORKERS, AND TO GENERATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ACADEMIC SUCCESS, RETENTION, TRANSFER, GRADUATION, AND ACADEMIC/CAREER PATHWAYS OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

SUPPORTING A SEAMLESS TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH COLLEGE TO BOOST PARTICIPATION IN THE STEM WORKFORCE -THIS PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL NEED FOR WELL-EDUCATED SCIENTISTS, MATHEMATICIANS, ENGINEERS, AND TECHNICIANS BY SUPPORTING THE RETENTION AND GRADUATION OF HIGH-ACHIEVING, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED AT NORWICH UNIVERSITY, THE OLDEST OF THE SIX SENIOR MILITARY COLLEGES IN THE UNITED STATES. OVER ITS 6-YEAR DURATION, THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO 27 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WHO ARE PURSUING BACHELOR?S DEGREES IN BIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, CHEMISTRY, NEUROSCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, OR PHYSICS. FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN ESTIMATED FOUR YEARS OF SCHOLARSHIPS. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO BOLSTER THE STEM WORKFORCE BY SUPPLEMENTING THESE SCHOLARSHIPS WITH COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE SCHOLARS? COLLEGE CAREERS. THE PROJECT WILL ENHANCE SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AS THEY TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE, INCREASE CAREER AWARENESS, AND DEVELOP SCHOLARS? DATA SCIENCE SKILLS. SCHOLAR MENTORS WILL ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST STUDENTS IN ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES, OUTREACH PROJECTS, CONFERENCES, AND GRADUATE SCHOOL PREPARATION. THE PROJECT WILL COLLECT DATA TO ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THESE SUPPORTS IMPACT THE RETENTION AND GRADUATION OF THIS STUDENT POPULATION. NORWICH UNIVERSITY IS UNIQUE AS IT EDUCATES A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY INTERESTED IN JOINING BOTH THE MILITARY AND CIVILIAN WORKFORCE, THUS THE PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE BROADER SOCIETY BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SKILLED STEM PROFESSIONALS QUALIFIED FOR PROFESSIONS IN THE MILITARY, PRIVATE INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, HEALTH SERVICES, AND ACADEMIA. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO INCREASE STEM DEGREE COMPLETION OF LOW-INCOME, HIGH-ACHIEVING UNDERGRADUATES WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED. IT IS HYPOTHESIZED THAT TRANSITION PROGRAMS ARE VITAL FOR ENHANCING LOW-INCOME STUDENTS' SENSE OF BELONGING AND RECOGNITION IN THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY, AND EARLY CAREER GOAL SELECTION WITH ONGOING SUPPORT HELPS THESE STUDENTS STAY COMMITTED TO THEIR STEM ASPIRATIONS. FOUR RESEARCH GOALS GUIDE THE PROJECT TEAM'S EFFORTS. FIRST, IS TO EVALUATE THE BENEFITS OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT DURING THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON THE BENEFITS OF INSTITUTING AN INTRODUCTORY SUMMER STEM ORIENTATION. SECOND, IS TO IMPLEMENT A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR FOR SECOND-YEAR STEM STUDENTS AND ASSESS ITS BENEFIT ON STUDENTS. THIRD, IS TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS OF OFFERING A DATA SCIENCE CERTIFICATE ON THE PREPAREDNESS OF SCHOLARS FOR THE WORKFORCE. FOURTH, AND FINALLY, IS TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF IMPROVING ACADEMIC, FINANCIAL, AND CAREER SUPPORT AMONG LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. THIS PROJECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THESE PRACTICES INCREASE RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND GRADUATION OF STEM MAJORS, PARTICULARLY AMONG LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. THIS PROJECT WILL BE EVALUATED EXTERNALLY PROVIDING ONGOING, TIMELY FEEDBACK ON STRATEGIES AND OUTCOMES TO MAKE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM'S DURATION. THE SUMMATIVE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH RESULTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES AND PUBLICATIONS. THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY NSF?S SCHOLARSHIPS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS PROJECT, WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LOW-INCOME ACADEMICALLY TALENTED STUDENTS WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED WHO EARN DEGREES IN STEM FIELDS. IT ALSO AIMS TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OF FUTURE STEM WORKERS AND TO GENERATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ACADEMIC SUCCESS, RETENTION, TRANSFER, GRADUATION, AND ACADEMIC/CAREER PATHWAYS OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

FY 2009 HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

NORWICH UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP FOR SERVICE - 2012

PROMOTING SUCCESS OF UNDERGRADUATE STEM STUDENTS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORING, AND CURRICULAR IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRST-YEAR MATHEMATICS COURSES

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION

NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM

DIRECTED GRANTS

THE FRONT LINE: A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH TO PREVENTING SUICIDE AND IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP, AND PEER EMPOWERMENT - NORWICH UNIVERSITY IS THE NATION’S OLDEST MILITARY COLLEGE. DATA FROM A HEALTHY MINDS STUDY CONDUCTED IN 2018 AND 2021 INDICATE THAT MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ARE PARAMOUNT AMONG THE 2000 STUDENTS IN OUR HIGH RISK (YOUNG, 70% MALE) CAMPUS POPULATION. THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO DE-STIGMATIZE HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIORS BY EXPANDING SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMMING THROUGH DELIVERY OF CAMPUS LEADERSHIP TRAINING, ENHANCEMENT OF EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF PEER-MENTORING AND PEER-LEAD PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR STUDENT BODY AND LOCATION DEMONSTRATE THE CRITICAL NEED FOR ENHANCED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES. OUR RESIDENTIAL POPULATION IDENTIFIES AS 27% FEMALE AND 72% MALE, WHILE 0.3% DO NOT IDENTIFY AS MALE OR FEMALE. FIVE PERCENT OF OUR RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS ARE VETERANS. DUE TO OUR RURAL SETTING, WE HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION. WE KNOW THAT THOSE IN THE MILITARY ARE AT ELEVATED RISK FOR SUICIDE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SO EDUCATION AND SUPPORT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING RESILIENCE IN OUR CADETS WHO ARE PURSUING A MILITARY CAREER. THE STIGMA AND CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPING A RESILIENT AND EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY OUTLOOK CAN BE MONUMENTAL FOR THESE STUDENTS, THEREFORE HAVING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN PLACE FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT SEEK COUNSELING IS AN IMPORTANT TARGET FOR OUR CAMPUS. THREE INTER-RELATED AND COLLABORATIVE PROJECT GOALS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN ACCESS AND CAPACITY: 1. DEVELOP AND DELIVER A SUICIDE-PREVENTION AND TRAUMA-INFORMED LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM FOR STAFF, FACULTY, AND STUDENTS EVERY SEMESTER. 2. EXPAND DELIVERY OF THE COURSE, “RESILIENT BODIES”, WHICH TEACHES STRESS REDUCTION, MINDFULNESS, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS; AND 3. DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE A STUDENT-LEAD, COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM ON CAMPUS. WE WILL RECORD PARTICIPATION LEVELS IN THESE ACTIVITIES AND OVERALL COUNSELING CENTER SERVICES AND EXPECT TO SERVE AT LEAST 600-1000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY; 2400-3000 OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE PROJECT. EVALUATION OF THE REACH AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS THEIR IMPACT WILL TAKE PLACE EACH SEMESTER VIA QUALITATIVE OBSERVATIONAL DATA, MIXED-METHODS SURVEYS, AND COMPLETION OF THE HEALTHY MINDS STUDY DURING YEARS 1 AND 3 OF THE PROJECT.

NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM

OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ADVANCE CYBER ARCHITECTURE

PURPOSE: NUARI WILL COLLABORATE WITH ACADEMIC AND COMMERCIAL PARTNERS TO DEVISE AN ADVANCED CYBER ARCHITECTURE TAILORED TO ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY. THE CYBERSECURITY POSTURE AND CMMC READINESS OF THE REGION?S SMMS DIRECTLY IMPACT NATIONAL ECONOMIC SECURITY, PARTICULARLY CONSIDERING THEIR VITAL ROLE IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE (DIB). NOTABLY, U.S. DEFENSE SPENDING IN THE REGION AVERAGES 3.1 PERCENT OF THE GDP, EXCEEDING THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 2.5 PERCENT IN 2022, 62.2 PERCENT OF DOD SPENDING IN NEW ENGLAND WAS IN CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT (DEFENSE SPENDING BY STATE 2022). THIS UNDERSCORES THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF BOLSTERING CYBERSECURITY RESILIENCE WITHIN THE DIB, WHERE WE HAVE OBSERVED SMMS RESORTING TO THE "PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE" TO MEET SPECIFIC CONTROL REQUIREMENTS. ONE PREVALENT STRATEGY AMONG OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS INVOLVES AIR-GAPPING EQUIPMENT FOR HANDLING CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION (CUI) AS A COST-EFFECTIVE MEANS TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH CMMC CONTROLS OR THE NIST 800-171 AND OTHER APPLICABLE FRAMEWORKS. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: NUARI WILL DEVELOP AN ADVANCED CYBERSECURITY ARCHITECTURE TO FORTIFY THE SECURITY OF SMALL-MEDIUM MANUFACTURERS' INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS, RECOGNIZING THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CYBER-ATTACKS. THIS INITIATIVE AIMS TO PREEMPTIVELY DETECT VULNERABILITIES AND POTENTIAL THREATS BEFORE THEY IMPACT THE PHYSICAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE CYBER ARCHITECTURE WILL OPERATE ALONGSIDE EXISTING CONTROL SYSTEMS, MODELING CONTROL COMMANDS AND VIRTUALLY REPLICATING THE PHYSICAL PROCESSES THEY OVERSEE, ENABLING PREDICTIVE MEASURES AGAINST SYSTEM-CONTROLLED ATTACKS. THIS PROPOSED ARCHITECTURE WILL OFFER A ROBUST DEFENSE MECHANISM TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF SMMS. NUARI WILL UTILIZE CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING TO CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, TESTING, AND PROTOTYPING OF THIS ADVANCED CYBER ARCHITECTURE IN COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY, STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND RESEARCHERS.EXPECTED OUTCOMES: DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK FOR ACCESSING AND ANALYZING OPERATIONAL DATA FROM OT DEVICES, SPECIFICALLY TARGETING ADDITIVE TECHNOLOGY, IN NEAR REAL-TIME. ENHANCE CYBERATTACK DETECTION CAPABILITIES WITHIN MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENTS BY LEVERAGING OPERATIONAL DATA TO IDENTIFY SUBTLE ANOMALIES INDICATIVE OF CYBER THREATS. IMPLEMENT SECURE MECHANISMS FOR ACCESSING AND ANALYZING OPERATIONAL DATA TO MITIGATE POTENTIAL RISKS TO PROCESS PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY. DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE CYBERSECURITY STRATEGIES THAT ENABLE DEEP VISIBILITY INTO OT ENVIRONMENTS WITHOUT COMPROMISING OPERATIONAL INTEGRITY. VALIDATE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND FEASIBILITY OF THE DEVELOPED ARCHITECTURE THROUGH RIGOROUS TESTING AND EVALUATION IN SIMULATED AND REAL-WORLD MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENTS. PROVIDE ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPTIMIZING CYBERSECURITY MEASURES IN OT ENVIRONMENTS BASED ON THE PROJECT FINDINGS. FOSTER KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND COLLABORATION AMONG CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS TO PROMOTE ADOPTING BEST PRACTICES AND STANDARDS IN OT CYBERSECURITY. CONTRIBUTE TO ADVANCING CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN OT ENVIRONMENTS, POSITIONING THE PROJECT AS A PIONEERING EFFORT IN SAFEGUARDING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST CYBER THREATS. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: NUARI'S OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED CYBER ARCHITECTURE INITIATIVE PERFECTLY ALIGNS WITH NIST'S MISSION TO ENHANCE U.S. INNOVATION AND INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS. FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE SPECIFIC CHALLENGES SMMS, PARTICULARLY IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, THE PROJECT AIMS TO ADVANCE CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND FORTIFY INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS. BY TAILORING CYBERSECURITY SOLUTIONS TO THE NEEDS OF SMMS, NUARI EMPOWERS THESE BUSINESSES TO THRIVE IN A RAPIDLY EVOLVING LANDSCAPE, FOSTERING ECONOMIC SECURITY AND INNOVATION. THE INITIATIVE ACCELERATES THE ADOPTION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING AND BOLSTERING COMPETITIVENESS IN THE SECTOR.SUBRE

NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM

DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION OF POTASSIUM CHANNELS IN HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS GOVERNING ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS WORK IS TO UNDERSTAND HOW METABOLIC SIGNALING CAN ALTER THE FUNCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS PATHWAYS THROUGH THE MODULATION OF SPECIFIC ION CHANNELS IN HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS. THE HYPOTHALAMUS IS A BRAIN REGION THAT MEDIATES THE REGULATION OF CRITICAL METABOLIC PROCESSES THROUGHOUT THE BODY. SPECIALIZED HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS CAN INTEGRATE THE HOMEOSTATIC BALANCE BETWEEN FOOD INTAKE AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE VIA PERIPHERAL SIGNALS, A PROCESS THAT MAY BECOME DYSREGULATED IN OBESITY AND OTHER METABOLIC DISORDERS. EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT THE FUNCTION OF KV1.3, A VOLTAGE-GATED POTASSIUM CHANNEL GOVERNING NEURONAL EXCITABILITY AND RESTING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL, CAN BE MODULATED BY CIRCULATING PERIPHERAL SIGNALS SUCH AS INSULIN, ALTHOUGH THE ROLE OF THIS MODULATION IN THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF HYPOTHALAMIC CIRCUITS REMAINS UNCLEAR. THE CENTRAL HYPOTHESIS OF THIS PROPOSAL IS THAT INSULIN MODULATES THE DEVELOPMENTAL FUNCTION OF KV1.3 IN HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS GOVERNING ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS. THE CENTRAL HYPOTHESIS WILL BE TESTED WITH THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC AIMS: (1) IDENTIFY THE DEVELOPMENTAL COLOCALIZATION OF KV1.3 AND THE INSULIN RECEPTOR (IR) IN SPECIFIC HYPOTHALAMIC NUCLEI GOVERNING ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS, (2) DEFINE HOW HYPOTHALAMIC KV1.3 CHANNELS ARE FUNCTIONALLY MODULATED BY INSULIN DURING DEVELOPMENT, AND (3) DETERMINE THE ROLE OF HETEROMULTIMERIC KV1 COMPLEXES IN CHANNEL REGULATION OF THE DEVELOPING HYPOTHALAMUS. IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES, IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE WILL BE USED TO IDENTIFY KV1.3 AND IR PROTEIN AT DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES IN SPECIFIC HYPOTHALAMIC NUCLEI INVOLVED IN METABOLIC FUNCTION. TO TEST THE HYPOTHESIS THAT INSULIN REGULATES NEURONAL ACTIVITY VIA SUPPRESSION OF KV1.3, BRAIN SLICES OF THE AVIAN HYPOTHALAMUS WILL BE EXPOSED TO EXOGENOUS INSULIN AND CHANGES IN ION CHANNEL FUNCTION WILL BE RECORDED USING ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES. SUBSEQUENTLY, IN OVO HORMONE APPLICATION WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE THE LONG-TERM EFFECT OF INSULIN EXPOSURE ON THE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF KV1.3 IN HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS AT CRITICAL EMBRYOLOGICAL TIME POINTS. THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF KV1 CHANNEL HETEROMULTIMERIZATION ON THE INSULIN-SENSITIVE FUNCTION OF KV1.3 CHANNELS IN HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS WILL ALSO BE EXPLORED. THIS PROPOSAL WILL BE THE FIRST TO ELUCIDATE THE DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE OF INSULIN EXPOSURE ON KV1.3 CHANNEL FUNCTION IN HYPOTHALAMIC NEURONS GOVERNING ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS. EXAMINING THE DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION OF KV1.3 IN THIS EMBRYONIC SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE NEW INSIGHT FUNDAMENTAL TO UNDERSTANDING THE EARLY PATTERNING OF HYPOTHALAMIC CIRCUITS AND MAY PROVIDE FURTHER EVIDENCE TARGETING THESE POTASSIUM CHANNELS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTION OF METABOLIC DISORDERS SUCH AS DIABETES AND OBESITY.

EXPANSION OF THE ROTOR DYNAMIC MODEL CAPABILITIES OF VIPER WITH EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION

NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM

NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM

RII TRACK-4: PALEOECOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON VERMONT LAKES

BUILDING A HUMANITIES-CENTERED INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM TO FOSTER CITIZEN SCHOLARS

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: FIELD-BASED PROJECTS IN GEOPHYSICAL METHODS WITH APPLICATIONS TO THE STATE OF VERMONT

RUI: THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF ETHYLENE REGULATION OF PHOTOPERIODIC FLORAL INDUCTION IN PLANTS

PROTOTYPING OF A BUSINESS PROCESS MODEL OF THE FINANCE SECTOR

NUARI TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION AND CYBER RESILIENCE SYMPOSIUM

DEVELOPING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM TO FOSTER CITIZEN SCHOLARS

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: TRAINING NEXT GENERATION FACULTY AND STUDENTS TO ADDRESS THE INFRASTRUCTURE CRISIS

ADVANCED EDUCATION NURSING TRAINEESHIP

THIS PROPOSED RESEARCH IS TO RE-DESIGN PERVIOUS CONCRETE; A COMMON COMPONENT OF LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) INFRASTRUCTURE, TO HARVEST AND FILTER ST

DOD IASP

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: AN INTERACTIVE STEEL CONNECTION TEACHING TOOL - A VIRTUAL STRUCTURE

NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM

STATE AND LOCAL HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM