Congressional Staff Visit Showcases Stony Brook’s Research Strengths

Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith and Kevin Gardner welcomed representatives from the offices of Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Nick LaLota and Representative Laura Gillen for the university's first annual Congressional Staff Visit Day. Photos by John Griffin.

Stony Brook University welcomed 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 day-long program offered a comprehensive look at how federal investments in research are driving innovation, economic development, and national competitiveness on Long Island and beyond.

During the visit, guests met with President Andrea Goldsmith to discuss Stony Brook's vision for research leadership and the university's expanding role in national priorities. As the university's seventh president, Goldsmith brings decades of experience as a researcher, innovator, and entrepreneur, and is widely recognized as one of the world's leading experts in wireless communications. She spoke about her commitment to building on Stony Brook's tradition as a public institution that drives upward mobility while also expanding the university's impact through cutting-edge research, innovation, and community engagement.

Since 2020, congressional representatives have secured more than $175 million in critical research funding for Stony Brook investigators through the federal appropriations process.

"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."

Federal investments have supported major projects across disciplines at SBU. Notable examples of this support include funding for pioneering biopolymer research, initiatives in energy security and resilience, the creation of a long-distance quantum networking testbed on Long Island, the establishment of a new in-patient research unit at the University Medical Center, and advanced studies in alternative fuel energy conversion. Together, these investments highlight the breadth of federal partnership at Stony Brook and underscore the university's ability to transform national funding into discoveries that strengthen health, security, and economic growth.

"Our research enterprise thrives because of the strong partnership between federal investments and the groundbreaking work of our faculty," said Vice President for Research and Innovation Kevin 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."

Faculty Highlights and Emerging Research

The visit began at the Charles B. Wang Center, where university leaders set the stage with an overview of SBU's growing research enterprise. The congressional staff delegation was introduced to faculty from across disciplines, including engineering, materials science, computer science, and robotics. These experts, all at the forefront of their respective fields, discussed projects ranging from cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in extreme environments to semiconductor crystal growth and soft robotics for next-generation vehicles.

The morning session also showcased the groundbreaking research of leading Stony Brook faculty, whose federally funded projects highlight the university's strengths across disciplines. Michael Dudley's pioneering work in semiconductor crystal growth, supported by agencies including NSF, DOE, and NASA, is directly connected to the new $20 million state-of-the-art semiconductor research and development facility, the Onsemi Center for SiC and Related Materials. Dilip Gersappe leads a $4 million U.S. Army-funded project to develop antifreeze hydrogels that could improve infrastructure in cold regions. Nick Nikiforakis has earned recognition from NSF, the Office of Naval Research, and the NSA for his expertise in cybersecurity and content integrity. Emre Salman is advancing low-power AI chip design for mission-critical space applications, whileWilliam Stewart is pushing the boundaries of soft robotics to expand the capabilities of aerial and underwater vehicles.

SBU Medicine and Health Innovation

On East Campus, the delegation visited the Renaissance School of Medicine and Stony Brook University Hospital to see how federally funded research is improving human health. Over lunch and discussion with faculty leaders, topics included the medical school's strategic plan, major initiatives, and federally supported programs in infectious disease, cancer clinical trials, drug discovery, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence in medicine. Faculty demonstrated how federal support drives breakthroughs in areas ranging from the treatment of tick-borne illnesses to the development of new imaging technologies for healthy aging.

The afternoon continued with guided tours of the university's hospital-based research facilities. Congressional staff saw the ABSL-3 infectious disease lab, the biorepository freezer farm, the PET/Cyclotron imaging center, and the open laboratories of the Stony Brook Cancer Center. Each stop underscored the translational nature of Stony Brook's medical research, translating scholarly breakthroughs into patient care with speed and precision, supported by critical federal investment.

SBU Technology and Energy Leadership

On West Campus, the delegation explored research in computational science, quantum technology, and clean energy. Tours began at the Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences, where faculty described how high-performance computing and AI are accelerating discovery across multiple disciplines. At the New York State Quantum Internet Testbed, visitors saw the nation's largest entanglement distribution network and learned how it is being used to pioneer secure communications and next-generation power grid protection.

Lunch at the Simons Center Café brought together faculty with a representative group of joint appointments at Brookhaven National Laboratory, who shared collaborative work in materials science, planetary geology, atmospheric science, and energy storage. Afternoon tours highlighted advanced engineering laboratories, including facilities dedicated to high-voltage power electronics and alternative fuel combustion systems. These visits demonstrated how Stony Brook is helping shape the future of resilient energy systems while strengthening U.S. competitiveness in science and technology.

Looking Ahead

Throughout the day, congressional staff experienced firsthand how the federal support they provide fuels discovery at SBU. From national defense technologies to life-saving clinical research, the visit reinforced the university's role as a leading research institution and a hub for innovation with impact across New York State and the nation.

By the end of the program, one theme was clear: federal partnerships are sustaining research and accelerating solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges.

The success of Congressional Staff Visit Day at Stony Brook reflects the university's growing national impact, made possible through the close collaboration and coordination between the Office of Research and Innovationand the Office of Federal Relationsin Washington, D.C. Together this strong partnership showcases how Stony Brook is leveraging its expertise and federal engagement to shape policy, strengthen research, and amplify the university's voice on the national stage.