Special Events and Guest Speakers

When Talent Meets Opportunity: Celebrating the Impacts of Scholarships at Tech

dgivens8 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:38:38 +0000

When Talent Meets Opportunity: Celebrating the Impacts of Scholarships at Tech dgivens8 Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:38

A hum of anticipation filled McCamish Pavilion as more than 150 attendees turned their attention to the arena floor, not for a basketball game, but to hear about the impact of scholarships at Georgia Tech. On April 5, Georgia Tech hosted the second annual Scholarship Brunch, an event that brings scholarship recipients together with their benefactors to celebrate the potential unleashed when talent meets opportunity. Rick Clark, Georgia Tech’s executive director of Strategic Student Success, served as master of ceremonies, and he opened by highlighting why scholarship assistance is so vital to attracting top talent from Georgia and beyond. “One thing we’ve found to be clear is that admissions without affordability is not access,” he said.

Clark was followed by Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera, who recounted how a scholarship made it possible for him, “a middleclass kid from Madrid, Spain,” to come to Georgia Tech, earn his doctorate, and later return to serve as president. Like Clark, he underscored the urgency of making Tech affordable for top talent. “If we want to have the very best, smartest, kindest, most dedicated people” working to solve the world’s most pressing challenges, “we have to find them when they’re young and invest in them.”

Next, three current scholarship recipients and an alumna donor spoke. Fourth-year computer engineering student and Virginia native Elisa Miller recalled how scholarship support led her to Georgia Tech and how her education has positioned her for future success. While at Tech, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) awarded Miller a Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity, with a DOD job awaiting her upon graduation. She offered advice to current and future Tech students, urging them to “seize every opportunity you are given to tackle every challenge you face.”

JahWill Fannings, a fourth-year business administration student from West Point, Georgia, described how his scholarship validated a bet he placed on himself in high school: He would apply only to Georgia Tech, and if admitted, he would only attend if he could do so without incurring debt. Thanks to a G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Scholarship, that bet paid off. Freed from financial burdens, Fannings was able to launch his second company, Flowst8, an AI-powered workflow tool for musicians and other creatives. He credits the network of students, mentors, and industry leaders he was able to connect with as key to his upward trajectory. “Georgia Tech is more than a school,” he said. “It’s an ecosystem designed to help us all build toward success.”

Tampa, Florida, native Sofia Mesa, a first-year civil engineering student and recipient of the Godbold Family Foundation Scholarship, spoke of her desire to attend the Institute from a young age. When family road trips took her family through Atlanta, she would plead with her parents to stop and visit Tech Tower and the Kessler Campanile. What most excites her about the future, Mesa said, is what a Georgia Tech diploma signifies. “It’s more than just a piece of paper. It’s a statement that says, ‘I endured, I grew, and bring it on, because I am ready for whatever you can throw at me.’”

Closing out the program was Ronda Sides, IE 1983, who, along with her husband Alan Sides, ME 1983, endowed her first scholarship in 1999. Sides described her family’s return to Georgia after 18 years abroad. Witnessing firsthand the transformation the Institute had undergone inspired them to give back. Fittingly, after hearing from students about what they gain from scholarships, Sides related the impact of giving on donors. “Students, I know how good it feels when you look into your accounts and you see the money that has flowed in,” she said. “We as donors look into our accounts, and we see the money that flowed out and was sent to you — and it’s an exponentially better feeling.”

Plans are underway for next year’s Scholarship Brunch, which will once again celebrate remarkable talent and extraordinary generosity. Business administration student JahWill Fannings 16 “Georgia Tech is more than a school. It’s an ecosystem designed to help us all build toward su

Summary sentence

On April 5, Georgia Tech hosted the second annual Scholarship Brunch, an event that brings scholarship recipients together with their benefactors to celebrate the potential unleashed when talent meets opportunity.

Summary

Dateline

Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:00

justin.horton@dev.gatech.edu

Contact

Justin Horton

Associated importer

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Scholarships

Georgia Tech scholarships

alumni philanthropy

billionaire philanthropy

donate

stewardship

alumni

undergraduate

Brunch

McCamish

development

Categories

Alumni

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Campaign Stories

Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

Engineering

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Special Events and Guest Speakers

Student Honors and Achievements

Mercury ID

682800

Source updated

Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:38

Georgia Tech Atrium Opens, Advancing Education at Peachtree Corners

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 15:47:38 +0000

Georgia Tech Atrium Opens, Advancing Education at Peachtree Corners admin Wed, 04/30/2025 - 11:47

The first Georgia Tech Atrium opened at Peachtree Corners Curiosity Lab on April 21, marking a significant step forward in research, collaboration, and community engagement. The Atrium will offer learners of all stages of life access to hands-on workshops, specialized research facilities, industry partnerships, networking opportunities, and more.

In the ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city, state, and Institute officials, President Ángel Cabrera said that the Georgia Tech Atrium “represents the future of higher education — where learning extends beyond the classroom and broad community collaboration creates novel opportunities and advances.”

At the heart of Atrium is its focus on fostering learner-centric projects. Learners will gain practical skills beyond classroom theory with access to state-of-the-art equipment, tailored mentorship, and demonstration opportunities. “We envision it as a ‘co-learning space’ that brings together the diverse people and organizations associated with Georgia Tech. Here, learners, alumni, businesses, and the community can collaborate with our esteemed faculty to transform the landscape of higher education and invent the future,” said Atrium Managing Director and C21U Executive Director Stephen Harmon.

College of Lifetime Learning Interim Dean Nelson Baker emphasized the Atrium’s role in breaking down barriers to higher education. “With leadership by our Center for 21st Century Universities, it provides an experimental platform for a growing range of activities that will break down barriers to higher education,” he said. “As the new College works to elevate the academic study of learning at all levels and ages, the Georgia Tech Atrium allows us to foster government, industry, and education collaboration in service of great communities like Peachtree Corners.”

The Atrium will host demonstrations, networking sessions, and events throughout the year, including K-12 programs and professional education opportunities led by C21U, the College of Lifetime Learning, and partners. The space will also be available to all Georgia Tech staff, faculty, and students.

Gov. Brian Kemp praised the collaborative efforts. “We’re fortunate to have a team here in Georgia made up of government, business, and educational leaders committed to working together to deliver results for our people,” he said. “I want to thank everyone here for your work on that mission and say congratulations on today’s milestone.”

The partnership with Peachtree Corners brings unique opportunities and resources to the Atrium. “We are proud to open our Innovation Center to Georgia Tech learners and alumni and offer an up-close look into the next wave of groundbreaking advancements,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “By partnering with these bright minds, we’re confident we can drive transformative change that will continue to disrupt the technology sector and positively affect communities beyond our city limits.”

Visit atrium.gatech.edu for more information about the initiative, to stay informed about upcoming programs, and to collaborate.

Summary sentence

The Georgia Tech Atrium opened April 21 at the Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, enhancing research, collaboration, and community engagement through innovative workshops and partnerships.

Summary

The Georgia Tech Atrium opened April 21 at the Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, enhancing research, collaboration, and community engagement through innovative workshops and partnerships.

Dateline

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Yelena M. Rivera-Vale
Communications Program Manager
Center for 21st Century Universities
Georgia Institute of Technology

Associated importer

Keywords

college of lifetime learning

News room topics

Business and Economic Development

Categories

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Mercury ID

681998

Source updated

Wed, 04/30/2025 - 11:47

Meet the Spring 2025 Commencement Reflection Speakers

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:12:54 +0000

Meet the Spring 2025 Commencement Reflection Speakers admin Mon, 04/28/2025 - 11:12

Spring Commencement will take place May 1 – 3, and at each of the four ceremonies, a student reflection speaker will address their fellow graduates to share their experience and offer words of encouragement as they celebrate this pivotal milestone.

The speakers are Anamik Jhunjhunwala, a Ph.D. biomedical engineering candidate; Madelyn Novelli, a bachelor’s computer science candidate; Daraja Brown, a bachelor's civil engineering candidate; and Irene Feijoo, a master’s analytics candidate.

Anamik Jhunjhunwala — Ph.D. Ceremony

Anamik Jhunjhunwala had already earned two master's degrees at Georgia Tech — M.S. BME 2023, M.S. Analytics 2024 — along with two bachelor's degrees from the University of California San Diego, but navigating a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering felt like uncharted territory. In his address to his fellow doctoral students, he intends to celebrate their achievements by stressing the resilience, humility, and gratitude it took to reach this point, as well as the ability to leave a "map" for the next generation of Yellow Jackets.

"You once stood upon the shoulders of giants, who carried you to the edges of knowledge. As you stand at the frontier today, through your dedication and determination, each of you has become a giant yourself. Someday soon, new explorers will stand on your shoulders, looking toward new horizons, and you'll guide them into the unknown," he said.

Jhunjhunwala credits mentors, friends, and family for helping him along his journey, and he has tried to assist others throughout his time here. In addition to research and entrepreneurial pursuits, the President's Fellow mentored undergraduate students and served as group leader and an advisory board member for the GT6000 Program.

He will miss the "helluva crowd" of peers at Georgia Tech, and after finishing lab work, Jhunjhunwala will travel to India to visit his family before returning to Atlanta to join the Boston Consulting Group.

Madelyn Novelli — Bachelor’s Morning Ceremony

Madelyn Novelli thought she knew what she needed to do when she got to Georgia Tech — study hard to maintain a good GPA, complete internships, and follow an established path to success. But as she finishes her computer science degree, she wants to share the concept of “identity capital” from The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter — And How to Make the Most of Them Now as she and her fellow graduates enter the next phase of their lives.

"Looking back, I realize that my resume isn't all that different from many of my peers. It made me reflect on whether I was building a life that's uniquely mine, or just checking boxes,” she said. “The most valuable capital we can invest in ourselves isn't just what looks good on paper — it's the time and energy we put into developing ourselves, whether that's through education, work, personal projects, or pursuing other passions. We have so much time in our lives to define ourselves and build our stories, and we don't have to follow a formula to do it."

The Institute became a "land of opportunity" for Novelli, and she spent her extracurricular time finding ways to help others in the Georgia Tech community as an active member of the Student Government Association, the NASPA Culture of Respect Collective, and working as a student assistant at Georgia Tech Professional Education.

After taking the summer to unwind with her friends and family, Novelli will begin her career as a data analyst in Birmingham, Alabama.

Daraja Brown — Bachelor’s Afternoon Ceremony

Yellow jackets are social insects that thrive in a hive surrounded by their fellow worker bees. From snowball fights in front of Tech Tower to the long nights studying in the libraries, Daraja Brown saw parallels between the Institute mascot and the Georgia Tech student body. While every student's next step is different, Brown implores her peers to keep their yellow jacket — and Yellow Jacket — spirit with them wherever they go.

"What ties everyone here together is not just wearing the same gown, but that we all are passionate about something, and we dedicate ourselves to living out those passions," she said. "I urge you to use what you've gained as a student here and apply it for the benefit of those around you. In five, 10, or 50 years, I hope you continue to reflect on what it truly means to be a Yellow Jacket."

A Stamps President’s Scholar, Brown served as a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and captain of the Timber-Strong Design Build team. Through Engineers Without Borders, she participated in international aid projects and was a sub-team lead on the Building for Equity and Sustainability Vertically Integrated Project.

Fully recovered from a childhood fear of the insect after being stung, Brown will remain a Yellow Jacket to pursue a master's degree in civil engineering after spending the summer interning with an Atlanta engineering firm.

Irene Feijoo Cedillo — Master’s Ceremony

Commencement represents the final step of many graduates’ Georgia Tech journey, including Irene Feijoo. While she has always heard that the first step is the most important, Feijoo wants to challenge her classmates to look forward to the next step and keep the same approach they’ve taken to complete their degree programs.

“The habits we have built during these years — showing up, asking questions, solving problems — are what really matter going forward,” she said. “I hope we stay open to change, keep supporting the people around us, and continue learning. Hopefully, moving forward, it will be in ways that don’t necessarily come with exams or deadlines. And as we move on, I hope we also take a second to appreciate how far we have come and the values and people that helped us get here.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Feijoo returned to pursue a master’s degree in analytics. Along with tailgates and trivia nights, she was active in several student organizations on campus, including as president of Suit Up Professional Preparation.

After five years as a student here, Feijoo will take a break to “travel and recharge.” Eager to explore other cultures, she intends to visit Vietnam, Japan, and the Philippines before beginning her career in consulting services, applying her background in technology and supply chain management.

Subtitle

The four student speakers will offer words of wisdom to their peers across four Commencement ceremonies.

Summary sentence

The four student speakers will offer words of wisdom to their peers across four Commencement ceremonies.

Summary

The four student speakers will offer words of wisdom to their peers across four Commencement ceremonies.

Dateline

Mon, 04/28/2025 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano – Institute Communications

Keywords

Reflection speakers

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Mercury ID

682082

Source updated

Mon, 04/28/2025 - 11:12

Thesis on Human-Centered AI Earns Honors from International Computing Organization

dgivens8 — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:30:41 +0000

Thesis on Human-Centered AI Earns Honors from International Computing Organization dgivens8 Tue, 04/22/2025 - 10:30

A Georgia Tech alum’s dissertation introduced ways to make artificial intelligence (AI) more accessible, interpretable, and accountable. Although it’s been a year since his doctoral defense, Zijie (Jay) Wang’s (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) work continues to resonate with researchers.

Wang is a recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI). The award recognizes Wang for his lifelong work on democratizing human-centered AI.

“Throughout my Ph.D. and industry internships, I observed a gap in existing research: there is a strong need for practical tools for applying human-centered approaches when designing AI systems,” said Wang, now a safety researcher at OpenAI.

“My work not only helps people understand AI and guide its behavior but also provides user-friendly tools that fit into existing workflows.”

Wang’s dissertation presented techniques in visual explanation and interactive guidance to align AI models with user knowledge and values. The work culminated from years of research, fellowship support, and internships.

Wang’s most influential projects formed the core of his dissertation. These included:

CNN Explainer: an open-source tool developed for deep-learning beginners. Since its release in July 2020, more than 436,000 global visitors have used the tool.
DiffusionDB: a first-of-its-kind large-scale dataset that lays a foundation to help people better understand generative AI. This work could lead to new research in detecting deepfakes and designing human-AI interaction tools to help people more easily use these models.
GAM Changer: an interface that empowers users in healthcare, finance, or other domains to edit ML models to include knowledge and values specific to their domain, which improves reliability.
GAM Coach: an interactive ML tool that could help people who have been rejected for a loan by automatically letting an applicant know what is needed for them to receive loan approval.
Farsight: a tool that alerts developers when they write prompts in large language models that could be harmful and misused.

“I feel extremely honored and lucky to receive this award, and I am deeply grateful to many who have supported me along the way, including Polo, mentors, collaborators, and friends,” said Wang, who was advised by School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Professor Polo Chau.

“This recognition also inspired me to continue striving to design and develop easy-to-use tools that help everyone to easily interact with AI systems.”

Like Wang, Chau advised Georgia Tech alumnus Fred Hohman (Ph.D. CSE 2020). Hohman won the ACM SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award in 2022.

Chau’s group synthesizes machine learning (ML) and visualization techniques into scalable, interactive, and trustworthy tools. These tools increase understanding and interaction with large-scale data and ML models.

Chau is the associate director of corporate relations for the Machine Learning Center at Georgia Tech. Wang called the School of CSE his home unit while a student in the ML program under Chau.

Wang is one of five recipients of this year’s award to be presented at the 2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2025). The conference occurs April 25-May 1 in Yokohama, Japan.

SIGCHI is the world’s largest association of human-computer interaction professionals and practitioners. The group sponsors or co-sponsors 26 conferences, including CHI.

Wang’s outstanding dissertation award is the latest recognition of a career decorated with achievement.

Months after graduating from Georgia Tech, Forbes named Wang to its 30 Under 30 in Science for 2025 for his dissertation. Wang was one of 15 Yellow Jackets included in nine different 30 Under 30 lists and the only Georgia Tech-affiliated individual on the 30 Under 30 in Science list.

While a Georgia Tech student, Wang earned recognition from big names in business and technology. He received the Apple Scholars in AI/ML Ph.D. Fellowship in 2023 and was in the 2022 cohort of the J.P. Morgan AI Ph.D. Fellowships Program.

Along with the CHI award, Wang’s dissertation earned him awards this year at banquets across campus. The Georgia Tech chapter of Sigma Xi presented Wang with the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award. He also received the College of Computing’s Outstanding Dissertation Award.

“Georgia Tech attracts many great minds, and I’m glad that some, like Jay, chose to join our group,” Chau said. “It has been a joy to work alongside them and witness the many wonderful things they have accomplished, and with many more to come in their careers.”

Summary sentence

Zijie (Jay) Wang (Ph.D. ML-CSE 2024) is a recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI).

Summary

Dateline

Thu, 04/17/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Bryant Wine, Communications Officer
bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu

Keywords

College of Computing

School of Computational Science and Engineering

artificial intelligence (AI)

Georgia Tech News Center

Daily Digest

Research Horizons

go-researchnews

go-ai

Categories

Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

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Research

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Student Honors and Achievements

Student Research

Mercury ID

681961

Source updated

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 10:29

Georgia Tech Launches Tech AI to Accelerate the Real-World Impact of Artificial Intelligence

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:54:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Launches Tech AI to Accelerate the Real-World Impact of Artificial Intelligence admin Mon, 03/24/2025 - 14:54

ATLANTA — March 24, 2025 — Georgia Tech has officially launched Tech AI, a bold new initiative designed to accelerate the real-world impact of artificial intelligence across industry and government. The announcement marks the start of Tech AI Fest, the Southeast’s leading AI event, bringing together leading academics, industry experts, government figures, and students for three days of immersive discussion, creative partnerships, and transformative ideas.

Georgia Tech distinguishes itself through its exceptional ability to merge foundational research with dynamic real-world partnerships. Through Tech AI, the Institute connects top-tier researchers with public and private sector collaborators to translate scientific breakthroughs into tangible societal benefits — from optimizing supply chains and modernizing health systems to strengthening national security and improving transportation infrastructure.

“AI is both a force to drive innovation in science and engineering and a technology to deliver concrete, scalable solutions to challenging industrial problems,” said Pascal Van Hentenryck, director of Tech AI and A. Russell Chandler III Chair and professor at Georgia Tech. “Through Tech AI, Georgia Tech is redefining the pathway from academic research to tangible societal benefits, advancing fields like energy, supply chains, manufacturing, transportation, enterprise systems, and healthcare to shape a smarter, more sustainable future."

One of the AI ecosystem's greatest challenges — securing highly skilled talent — is being addressed head-on. Tech AI is preparing the next wave of AI innovators through advanced education and training, helping to close the widening talent gap.

Tech AI is built on four strategic pillars: applied research, industry partnerships, AI engineering, and workforce development. Together, these pillars form a dynamic ecosystem that develops responsible, rigorously validated AI technologies — and speeds their deployment in critical sectors such as energy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and essential services.

Tech AI is more than an initiative — it’s a catalyst. By turning world-class research into scalable solutions, Georgia Tech is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and delivering impact where it matters most. Tech AI leverages the groundbreaking work of Georgia Tech’s three National Science Foundation-funded AI Institutes and its network of Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, creating a powerful hub to accelerate AI solutions from research to real-world impact.

Happening this week at Georgia Tech’s campus, Tech AI Fest showcases the initiative’s wide-ranging impact through hands-on demos, research spotlights, student showcases, and panels featuring thought leaders from academia, industry, and government. The event reinforces Georgia Tech’s role as a national hub for cutting-edge AI exploration and collaboration.

To learn more about Tech AI or explore partnership opportunities, visit ai.gatech.edu.

Subtitle

Summary sentence

The announcement marks the start of Tech AI Fest, the Southeast’s leading AI event, bringing together leading academics, industry experts, government figures, and students for three days of creative partnerships and transformative ideas.

Summary

Georgia Tech has officially launched Tech AI, a bold new initiative designed to accelerate the real-world impact of AI. The announcement coincides with Tech AI Fest, the Southeast’s leading AI event, featuring academics, industry experts, government figures, and students.

Dateline

Mon, 03/24/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

Contact

Georgia Tech Media Relations

Associated importer

Keywords

Georgia Tech

Tech AI

artificial intelligence

AI Initiative

real-world impact

AI Fest

AI Event

industry partnerships

Applied Research

AI Engineering

workforce development

Societal Benefits

supply chains

health systems

National Security

Transportation

infrastructure

Talent Development

AI Innovators

AI in Healthcare

AI in Agriculture

AI and Cybersecurity

AI in Education

Pascal Van Hentenryck

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Interactive Sessions

Research Spotlights

Student Showcases

alumni networking

News room topics

Business and Economic Development

Campus and Community

Science and Technology

Categories

Institute and Campus

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Mercury ID

681336

Source updated

Mon, 03/24/2025 - 14:53

María Corina Machado Receives Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage

admin — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 05:10:41 +0000

María Corina Machado Receives Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage admin Mon, 02/17/2025 - 00:10

From an undisclosed location in her home country of Venezuela, María Corina Machado joined online to participate in the celebration held at the Biltmore Hotel in Tech Square, where she was awarded the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage.

The leader of the country's opposition party remains in hiding and unable to leave the country. Elected to the Venezuelan National Assembly in 2010, she became a vocal critic of Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro. Machado became the opposition's presidential candidate for the Unity Democratic Platform in 2023 but was later disqualified from holding office by the regime-controlled National Electoral Council. Still, her efforts to inspire change did not stop.

Machado rallied support behind the opposition candidate, Edmundo González, and organized a million volunteers to monitor polling locations and collect data to support the party's claim of victory. While the Maduro regime remains in power despite data showing victory for the opposition, Machado is hopeful that democracy will prevail. Speaking via Zoom, Machado said the courage that earned her the award is a shared value among the Venezuelan people.

"Social courage is what Venezuelans have proven to have. Over 25 years, we've seen this tyranny oppress, divide, persecute, and deprive, and we've had many falls, but we've stood back up. Our strength is not in firearms. It is in effective organization, intelligence, courage, and love, and there is no more powerful force than love," she said.

Presenting the award, Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera reflected on Machado's early career as an industrial engineer and human rights activist through the founding of Sumate, a vote-monitoring group, in 2002.

"She understands systems and data, which allowed her to identify and document dysfunction in Venezuela's electoral process. She took it as a mission to bring forward solutions to address the challenges in her country. She has become a champion for her country and a beacon for fair and free elections around the world. Her story reminds us that data and technology alone do not drive change, but they are powerful tools in the hands of responsible leaders and can be used to make a difference," Cabrera said.

Her children, Ana Corina Sosa Machado and Ricardo Machado, accepted the award. Ana spoke of her mother's dedication to her cause and willingness to speak out for what she believes in despite the risks.

"If there is one thing I've learned from my mother, it's that courage, truth, and hope are our most powerful weapons in disarming evil. That courage is not a virtue to be used only when it is convenient, noncontroversial, or safe, but rather its true test lies in the darkest of times when standing for what is right might mean standing alone, alienating allies, and even risking your own life.," she said.

The prize was established in 2010 to honor the legacy of Ivan Allen Jr., former mayor of Atlanta and a Georgia Tech graduate, who was known for his courageous leadership during the Civil Rights Movement. Ana sees a parallel between the prize's namesake and her mother.

"Ivan Allen Jr. knew well what it meant to stand against the status quo, to fight for what is right despite the costs. Most importantly, he knew that moral courage in defense of truth and what is right is contagious. That is what my mother has ignited in Venezuela — an unstoppable force, not grounded in violence or strength but in the love of country."

The event featured a panel moderated by CNN national correspondent Rafael Romo and featuring Jennie Lincoln, a senior advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Carter Center; Charles Shapiro, former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and former director of the World Affairs Council; and Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the America Society and Council of the Americas.

Each panelist was asked if there was hope for democracy in the country, and each expressed their opinion that Machado is the primary factor in keeping that hope alive, and Farnsworth said she should be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for her work.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Foundation, the Allen Prize includes a monetary stipend of $100,000 to accompany the award. Past recipients include John Lewis, Andrew Young, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Christiane Amanpour.

Subtitle

The Venezuelan political leader and human rights activist was honored for her courage in the face of persecution.

Summary sentence

The Venezuelan political leader and human rights activist was honored for her courage in the face of persecution.

Summary

The Venezuelan political leader and human rights activist was honored for her courage in the face of persecution.

Dateline

Sun, 02/16/2025 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

Ivan Allen Prize for Social Courage

special events

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Institute Leadership

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Mercury ID

680525

Source updated

Mon, 02/17/2025 - 00:09

From Ideas to Solutions: Georgia Tech's First Energy and Sustainability Hackathon

dgivens8 — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 21:09:41 +0000

From Ideas to Solutions: Georgia Tech's First Energy and Sustainability Hackathon dgivens8 Tue, 01/28/2025 - 16:09

EnergyHack @GT, Georgia Tech’s inaugural student-run energy and sustainability hackathon, kicked off Jan. 17-19, 2025. Organized by the Energy Club at Georgia Tech, the mission of the hackathon was to unite passionate students to tackle critical challenges in the energy industry while fostering innovation and collaboration.

Over the course of 36 hours, participants collaborated in teams to brainstorm, design, and prototype projects that promote sustainable practices based on diverse problem statements, addressing this year’s tracks: energy storage, energy security, and decarbonization. These themes targeted urgent issues, from balancing renewable energy supply and demand to safeguarding infrastructure against cyber threats and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The projects were evaluated by a panel of judges.

Along with showcasing keynote speeches and educational workshops, the event culminated with the top three teams winning cash prizes. With more than 100 registered participants, 17 project submissions, and leaders from some of the biggest energy and tech companies, EnergyHack @GT successfully fostered collaboration and showcased the potential of student-driven solutions for advancements in energy and sustainability.

“The inaugural student-led EnergyHack was a tremendous success, and I am incredibly proud of the committee members for turning this brilliant idea into an outstanding event,” Dan Molzahn, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and faculty advisor for the Energy Club, said. “Their dedication and hard work truly brought this vision to life, fostering innovation and collaboration within the vibrant Georgia Tech student community.”

The event kicked off with an engaging opening ceremony featuring inspiring keynote speeches that set the tone for the hackathon’s ambitious objectives. Jessica Roberts, assistant professor in the School of Interactive Computing, shared insights into models used to track coal pollution sources and their dispersion across the United States. Steve Hummel, senior vice president at Chart Industries, discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping demand projections and driving diversification in generation portfolios. Following the presentations, participants joined a dynamic team mixer to form diverse, multidisciplinary teams and networked with professionals from Kimley-Horn in a dedicated session.

Throughout the hackathon, participants had access to expert-led workshops and mentorship. A session on "Machine Learning (ML) and AI for Materials Screening and Discovery" by Victor Fung, assistant professor in the School of Computational Science and Engineering, explored the role of AI in advancing sustainable materials. A meet and greet with keynote speakers allowed participants to engage in thought-provoking discussions on energy and sustainability issues.

The energy and creativity peaked during the Project Expo, where 17 innovative solutions were showcased. Representatives from NVIDIA, GE Vernova, and other industry leaders reviewed projects, offering insights and feedback.

The closing ceremony celebrated the participants’ achievements and the event highlights, featuring a keynote by Priya Donti, assistant professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems, and founder of Climate Change AI, on using AI to combat climate change and to build sustainability solutions.

EnergyHack @GT served as a platform for innovation and learning, showcasing the potential of student-led initiatives in shaping the future of energy and sustainability. Awards were presented to the top three projects that stood out for their creativity and impact:

Best Overall Hack: Watts The Power, a project that predicts the energy and environmental impact of training ML models, earned the team a $250 cash prize.
Second Place: EcoTokens, a Chrome extension designed to reduce token usage in AI tools to save energy, won a $150 prize.
Third Place: Eco Charge, an electric vehicle charging optimizer designed to minimize CO₂ emissions, secured a $100 prize.

Summary sentence

EnergyHack @GT, Georgia Tech’s inaugural student-run energy and sustainability hackathon, kicked off Jan. 17-19, 2025.

Summary

EnergyHack @GT, Georgia Tech’s inaugural student-run energy and sustainability hackathon, kicked off Jan. 17-19, 2025. Organized by the Energy Club at Georgia Tech, the mission of the hackathon was to unite passionate students to tackle critical challenges in the energy industry while fostering innovation and collaboration.

Dateline

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 12:00

priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu

Contact

News Contact: Priya Devarajan || SEI Communications Program Manager

Written By: Braden Queen, Tejaswi Manoj, May Ming
Acknowledgments/Contributions by: Victoria Pozzi, Max Zhang, Eli Acree, Radhika Sharma

Associated importer

Keywords

go-sei

Categories

Research

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Student and Faculty

Student Competition WInners (academic, innovation, and research)

Mercury ID

680032

Source updated

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 16:09

Double Victories at the Fall 2024 I2P Showcase

dgivens8 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:49:37 +0000

Double Victories at the Fall 2024 I2P Showcase dgivens8 Wed, 01/08/2025 - 16:49

Two teams tied for Best Overall projects of the Fall 2024 I2P Showcase. Over two hours, 49 teams displayed prototypes that they developed over the semester to hundreds of attendees, while judges circulated the room. The showcase is the last event of their Idea-to-Prototype (I2P) course, where Georgia Tech students earn research credit (for undergraduate students only), receive up to $500 in reimbursement for physical material expenses, and build a working product with faculty mentorship. The course is held in the spring, summer, and fall. Graduate students can also take the course, and student can take it up two times.

As a part of the showcase, the winning team, or teams in this case, also receive a golden ticket into the CREATE-X summer startup accelerator, Startup Launch. This program provides founders with $5,000 in optional seed funding, $150,000 in in-kind services like accounting and legal services, mentorship, and entrepreneurial education, among other benefits. At the end of that experience, startup teams can present their products to investors and industry partners at Demo Day, which attracts over a thousand attendees each year.

Additionally, winners of the showcase advance directly to the semifinal round of the InVenture Prize, a faculty-led innovation competition for undergraduate students and recent BS graduates of Georgia Tech.

This semester, the first place teams were Allez Go and Soul. Team Allez Go’s founders, Adam Kulikowski and Jason Mo, created a real-time visualization system for fencing blades using infrared light and reflectors to accurately track positions during a bout. Team Soul, made up of Ashraf Mansour, Benjamin Wilson, and Michal Gregus, developed fitness-tracking soles and shoes, combining the functions of a smart scale, a workout tracker, and a diet tracker into a singular device.

Second place was awarded to Team Convexity Electronics, consisting of Calla Scotch, Levi Bloch, and Phi Cai. Convexity Electronics produces 3D-printed circuit boards that aim to be smaller, faster, and cheaper than lithography-based circuitry.

Team SuperStream, made up of solo-preneur John-Wright Stanly, took home third place. SuperStream adds video previews to URLs to increase engagement.

Read our Q&A with Team Allez Go and Soul below, and stay tuned for our interviews with the other winning teams!

Q&As

Team AllezGo

Adam Kulikowski, Sophomores, Computer Science

Jason Mo, Sophomores, Computer Science

Why did you pursue your startup?
Kulikowski: We're both fencers. I've been fencing for 10 years, and Jason's been fencing close to 10 as well. So, fencing as a sport is really hard to view for non-fencers, and so the idea that we wanted to do is use visualizations, animations, and replays in a similar way that other kinds of sport visualization companies did.

What was the I2P course like for you all?
Mo: So, this prototype actually started over the summer. I was in Startup Lab and just did a study abroad program. During that class, they mentioned that I2P is a great opportunity, and I had this prototype already in the works.

What surprised you about I2P?

Mo: I2P was very generous with funding; we never had any issues with using up our $500. It was just really helpful because our prototype was pretty heavy hardware.

What was your favorite part about I2P?
Mo: Our weekly meetings with Aaron Hillegass, our mentor, were always very, very insightful. I just shot him an email for I2P, hoping that we could work together on this. Sometimes we would talk about prototypes or updates. He had some really good insights, but our mentor also has a lot of industry experience and a lot of experience with his own startups. It was really fun to just ask him general questions and career advice. He was always very responsive, very supportive for us.

Kulikowski: In addition, I really liked seeing the iterations each week. I think the weekly updates kept us accountable to do at least one small thing every week. So, it was cool to see how the ideas slowly started to formulate each week, small steps and small progresses.

What was challenging about building your prototype over the semester?
Mo: There's a lot of technical challenges. One of the things we did this semester is we changed from a 30 frames per second (FPS) camera to a camera that shoots at 120 FPS. And with that, we could detect a lot more processing power. The camera that we're using is only limited to Windows. I've been using a very old laptop, and that's sort of been a bit problematic when we're trying to do very compute intensive tasks.

What would you say to students that are interested in entrepreneurship?
Kulikowski: There are a lot of people that came by our booth, and a lot of them were freshmen students. Every one of them we told, “If you have an idea, if you're really passionate about something, I2P is a fantastic opportunity.” This semester, with the hands-off approach, really felt like you could just work on this idea, and everything was there to support you working on it. That was fantastic because it's we could take full advantage of the time, the resources, and truly flesh out this idea. I really love the support we had and how we had the bonding with the other students.

Team Soul

Ashraf Mansour, Senior, Computer Science

Benjamin Wilson, Junior, Computer Science

Michal Gregus, Junior, Physics and Electrical Engineering

What’s the thought behind the name?
Mansour: We're kind of bringing life through our electronics, back into the shoe, and building a better fitness tracker and a more holistic picture of human health.

What was the showcase like for your team?
Wilson: It was a little nerve wracking. I have full faith in our ideas and concepts, but I feel personally like we still have a long way to go for our project. I’m still satisfied with where we are now, but we never really anticipated that we we're going to win anything.

Mansour: The showcase made me realize how much faster all this moves, even compared to my expectations. We came in with a very basic prototype that we wanted to improve on, but I think the potential was enough to sell the judges in this case. Now we have a big responsibility to deliver on that potential.

What was your favorite thing about I2P Showcase?

Mansour: It really reminds you how much of a tech hub Georgia Tech really is. Seeing how entrepreneurship boosts in real time, especially at the early stages, is something that’s really awe inspiring.

What was challenging about building your prototype over the semester?

Mansour: There are a lot of unique engineering challenges with the product that we’re building, some we anticipated and others we didn’t, but I think that speaks to the true soul of engineering. That adaptability and sense of problem solving is really important.

Wilson: I’m very grateful to have the other people that were involved in this project for brainstorming and making the design better.

What would you say to students that are interested in entrepreneurship?

Wilson: I definitely would encourage anyone that wants to pursue their own startup or has a new idea to just start. It’s far more efficient and far more rewarding to put your ideas out there and try. You’ll learn a lot more through that process of failing than you will contemplating.

A photo gallery from the Fall 2024 I2P Showcase can be viewed on the CREATE-X Flickr page.

CREATE-X is now accepting applications for the summer and fall semesters of the I2P course, and applications for their summer accelerator, Startup Launch. The deadline for I2P applications for Summer 2025 is May 12. The deadline for Startup Launch applications is March 19, 2025. For questions, please email create-x@groups.gatech.edu.

Summary sentence

Allez Go and Soul tied for Best Overall projects at the Fall 2024 I2P Showcase, earning spots in the CREATE-X summer startup accelerator and advancing to the InVenture Prize semifinals.

Summary

Two teams, Allez Go and Soul, tied for Best Overall projects at the Fall 2024 I2P Showcase, where 49 teams displayed their semester-long prototypes. The winners receive a golden ticket to the CREATE-X summer startup accelerator and advance to the semifinal round of the InVenture Prize. Allez Go developed a real-time visualization system for fencing blades, while Soul created fitness-tracking soles and shoes. Second and third places went to Convexity Electronics and SuperStream, respectively.

Dateline

Wed, 01/08/2025 - 12:00

breanna.durham@gatech.edu

Contact

Breanna Durham

Marketing Strategist

Keywords

I2P Showcase

Georgia Tech

Best Overall projects

Allez Go

soul

CREATE-X

startup launch

InVenture Prize

prototypes

student innovation

entrepreneurship

Fencing visualization

Fitness-tracking shoes

Convexity Electronics

SuperStream

startups

Categories

Exhibitions

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Student and Faculty

Student Competition WInners (academic, innovation, and research)

Mercury ID

679323

Source updated

Wed, 01/08/2025 - 16:47

‘Technique’ Editor to Represent Student Media With Debate Coverage

admin — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 22:40:41 +0000

‘Technique’ Editor to Represent Student Media With Debate Coverage admin Wed, 06/26/2024 - 18:40

Thursday, the nation will turn its attention to Atlanta for the first 2024 presidential debate. There will be no crowd inside the Warner Media campus on Techwood Drive, where the debate will take place, but the Technique's managing editor, Alec Grosswald, will be in the center of the media frenzy taking place across the street.

Granted a credential to attend media row and the spin room inside McCamish Pavilion alongside national and local media, Grosswald will provide live updates and a behind-the-scenes look inside the event on the publication's Instagram page. Additional updates will be posted to the paper’s website throughout the evening.

The third-year mechanical engineering student and his colleagues on the editorial board fielded policy questions from classmates with the intent of giving the student body a seat at the table.

"Our goal is to take students' questions and broadcast the answers from campaign surrogates in the spin room,” he said. “We want the students to have a voice. That's something we've discussed as young voters, and not feeling valued is a potential driving factor behind low youth voter turnout."

Leading into Thursday's debate coverage, the paper's editorial board shared one of its “consensus opinion” pieces outlining thoughts on the current state of youth voters in Georgia as the election cycle ramps up. The Technique will release a comprehensive recap early next week from Grosswald's coverage, complete with interviews and reactions.

The debate's proximity to campus created an opportunity for the student newspaper to garner real-world experience alongside journalists from around the world, and Grosswald is elated to represent the Technique on the floor.

"It's gratifying that bigger news organizations and institutions are recognizing the value of student media, and it's validating that we'll have the same opportunity to get answers for our audience,” he said. “This is a real opportunity to grow our platform and the voice of student media."

Thursday's debate will cause congestion throughout the Georgia Tech campus. Learn more about its impact on travel and parking here.

Subtitle

The student newspaper will provide a behind-the-scenes look at Thursday’s presidential debate.

Summary sentence

The student newspaper will provide a behind-the-scenes look at Thursday’s presidential debate.

Summary

The student newspaper will provide a behind-the-scenes look at Thursday’s presidential debate.

Dateline

Wed, 06/26/2024 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

presidential debate

CNN

the technique

student media

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Student and Faculty

Mercury ID

675245

Source updated

Wed, 06/26/2024 - 18:40

Celebrating Juneteenth at Georgia Tech

admin — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:56:41 +0000

Celebrating Juneteenth at Georgia Tech admin Thu, 06/13/2024 - 10:56

The Georgia Tech campus will close on Wednesday, June 19, to commemorate Juneteenth.

Juneteenth, recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. While the 1863 signing of the Emancipation Proclamation freed all enslaved people across the country, it wasn’t until Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, on June 19, 1865, that slavery was formally abolished in the final Confederate-controlled state after the Civil War.

Beginning the following year, the day was celebrated among freed slaves in Texas as “Jubilee Day.” As formerly enslaved people moved throughout the country, the annual tradition took hold, eventually becoming known as Juneteenth.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Tech

With campus closed on Wednesday, Georgia Tech’s Juneteenth Celebration will take place Tuesday, June 18, at the Ferst Center for the Arts Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Maurice Hobson will deliver the event's keynote address, preceding an afternoon of entertainment, games, and food showcasing Black culture.

The event, open to all, will introduce the Black Culture, Innovation, and Technology department, dedicated to the intersection of culture and technology, fostering innovation, and recognizing the contributions of Black Americans.

On June 18, the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience Diversity and Inclusion Committee invites members of the IBB community to the annual Juneteenth Ice Cream Social in the atrium of the Petit Biotech Building.

Juneteenth Events Around Atlanta

Juneteenth Family Festival: Oakland Cemetery, June 15

A Juneteenth Celebration at The Center: The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, June 15 – 16, 19

Juneteenth Inclusion Celebration: College Park City Auditorium, June 19

Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival – Piedmont Park, June 21 – 23

Subtitle

Juneteenth will be observed on campus and around Atlanta.

Summary sentence

Juneteenth will be observed on campus and around Atlanta.

Summary

Juneteenth will be observed on campus and around Atlanta.

Dateline

Thu, 06/13/2024 - 12:00

steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

juneteenth

Juneteenth Celebration

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Community

Special Events and Guest Speakers

Mercury ID

675105

Source updated

Thu, 06/13/2024 - 10:56

Special Events and Guest Speakers

When Talent Meets Opportunity: Celebrating the Impacts of Scholarships at Tech

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Categories

Georgia Tech Atrium Opens, Advancing Education at Peachtree Corners

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News room topics

Categories

Meet the Spring 2025 Commencement Reflection Speakers

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News room topics

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Thesis on Human-Centered AI Earns Honors from International Computing Organization

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Georgia Tech Launches Tech AI to Accelerate the Real-World Impact of Artificial Intelligence

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María Corina Machado Receives Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage

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From Ideas to Solutions: Georgia Tech's First Energy and Sustainability Hackathon

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Categories

Double Victories at the Fall 2024 I2P Showcase

Q&As

Team AllezGo

Team Soul

Related links

Keywords

Categories

‘Technique’ Editor to Represent Student Media With Debate Coverage

Keywords

News room topics

Categories

Celebrating Juneteenth at Georgia Tech

Celebrate Juneteenth at Tech

Juneteenth Events Around Atlanta

Keywords

News room topics

Categories