Latest news with #TimSands
Technical.ly
3 days ago
- Business
- Technical.ly
Virginia Tech hones in on advanced computing with new institute
Power Moves is a recurring series where we chart the comings and goings of talent across the region. Got a new hire, gig or promotion? Email us at dc@ Higher education and government contracting continue to prove their dominance in the DMV through new programs, acquisitions and hires. Following its opening of a new $1 billion campus in Alexandria, Virginia Tech is launching a new advanced computing program in the region. On the private side, government IT contractor Tyto Athene acquired its fourth company in less than a year and a half. On the other side of the district, a startup founder is working with the State of Maryland to improve police training. Keep reading to get the details on those and more regional power moves. Virginia Tech to open new advanced computing institute The university's new academic and research program will be housed at its recently opened campus in Alexandria. Dubbed the Institute for Advanced Computing, the center will cater to graduate students working in artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing. Computer science professor Kirk Cameron has been named the institute's interim director. 'As Virginia's land-grant research university, we are connecting the world's best talent and partners to the commonwealth and bridging the gaps between academia, industry, and government in the greater DC area,' Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said in a press release. Virginia Tech opened this new location in Alexandria this February. The university houses its colleges of business and engineering at the new campus while its main one remains in Blacksburg. Tyto Athene lands another acquisition After the Reston government contractor acquired three companies in 2024, Tyto Athene purchased yet another tech firm to boost its capabilities and expand its customer base. Tyto Athene acquired stackArmor, a Tysons-based cloud and cyber compliance company providing services to federal agencies. 'By combining the capabilities of Tyto and stackArmor, we're able to deliver secure and cost-efficient digital infrastructure that accelerates the mission of our government and defense customers through automation,' said Gaurav Pal, principal of stackArmor. StackArmor is also a part of the US AI Safety Institute Consortium out of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is still in operation even though President Donald Trump rescinded former President Joe Biden's AI executive order. Startup founder to serve on Maryland police committee Colin Fraser, founder of the cannabis delivery app Upling and a DC Startup and Tech Week organizer, will serve on the Maryland Police Training and Standards Committee after being appointed by Gov. Wes Moore. A returning citizen, Fraser will focus on training for police that reduces harm, he wrote on LinkedIn. 'As someone who has experienced both sides of the criminal justice system, I bring a unique perspective to police training and standards that I believe is essential for building trust and creating positive change,' Fraser wrote. More leadership moves Investment firm and incubator Red Cell Partners tapped John C. Aquilino, a retired admiral, to be an advisor for its national security vertical. Carr Properties landed approval to redevelop an office building on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon into residential housing. Rhizome, which developed AI tools to identify vulnerabilities in energy grids caused by weather, is moving to San Francisco from DC, the Washington Business Journal reported. The startup recently raised a $6.5 million seed round. NobleReach, an organization aiming to bridge the public and private sectors to boost technological prowess in the US, appointed two members to its board: Ralph Semmel, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory's director; and Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO at the National Geographic Society. Falls Church government contractor GDIT launched an AI tool that detects fraudulent payments, including healthcare claims and benefits. Blink Charging in Bowie is laying off 20% of its workforce as its revenue continues to drop, as additionally reported by the Washington Business Journal. The electric vehicle charging manufacturer relocated from Miami in 2024. IT services company Navteca in Chevy Chase hired Hector Collazo as its new president. ShorePoint, a cybersecurity company based in Herndon, appointed Kevin Cox as its new executive director of cyber operations modernization. Cvent, a hospitality and event technology platform, acquired the spatial event design technology Prismm. Core4ce, a data-focused IT company in Arlington, tapped Rick Hubbard to be the firm's chief data scientist. Global satellite communications company Iridium hired Rohit Braggs as its vice president of position, navigation and timing. Maryland's venture arm TEDCO tapped six new executive officers for its board of directors, including people hailing from the higher education sector and private companies. AI adoption firm Meibel is opening a 3,000-square-foot office in Tysons, also reported by the Washington Business Journal. Local business award grantor Moxie announced its 2025 finalists, including investment firms like K Street Capital and several government contractors.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Virginia Tech talks of potential NIH research budget cuts; possibly $13 million impact
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – Since President Trump returned to the White House, federal budget cuts have been discussed nearly every day, and now, there's a possibility those cuts could affect research at Virginia Tech University. President Tim Sands sent a message out to the community last week talking about the potential impacts the university could face. The National Institute of Health (NIH) announced guidance for its 2024 grants, in regards to what are known as 'indirect cost rates'. The NIH says it awards grants for research purposes, and moving forward all indirect costs will be capped at 15%. The NIH says they recognize organizations use these funds to cover overhead costs but says: 'The NIH is obligated to carefully steward grant awards to ensure taxpayer dollars are used in ways that benefit the American people and improve their quality of life. Indirect costs are, by their very nature, 'not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefited,' and are therefore difficult for NIH to oversee.' Virginia Tech says indirect costs they face include safeguarding human test subjects, plus the costs to build, maintain, and operate research tools and facilities. Virginia lawmakers pass new state budget deal 'That is used to support the kind of research that is done here in Roanoke and in Blacksburg to cure cancer, to look at how covid is transmitted, for example. That was research many years ago that really helped a nation and a world address covid in really meaningful and impactful ways. So we're looking potentially at a $13 million impact,' said Mark Owczarski, Interim Vice President of Communications and Marketing. At this years State of the University address, President Tim Sands pointed out potential impact of these cuts: 'We'd like to acknowledge the challenges that many of you are facing as we interpret and respond to a flurry of executive orders that impact higher education,' said Tim Sands, President of Virginia Tech, 'We will follow the law, but we will do so once we fully understand the directives and the applications to Virginia tech. We do not yet have many of those answers, but we are collecting information and providing guidance where we can.' As of now, Owczarski says there will be no changes to graduate admissions due to these says that due to the fluidity and newness of these cuts, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what research will be affected. Sands says as the university learns more, it will announce multiple town halls for community members to share their opinions on how the university can move forward. The university will continue to update the community on its website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NIH rate cuts may cost $13 million to VT annual research budget
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – Virginia Tech says a recent decision to reduce grant reimbursements covering overhead costs for research may have a $13 million impact on the University. On Friday, February 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) decided to reduce reimbursements for research grant recipients covering facilities and administrative (F&A) research costs. In a statement released to the university community, Virginia Tech President, Tim Sands said these costs are 'very real' and the impacts of the NIH decision may cost the university $13 million to its annual research budget meaning a 'debilitating effect on the ability of research universities to carry out their mission.' Virginia Tech welcomes 2025 baseball season with 17th annual Blacksburg Night 'The NIH decision could have a $13 million impact on Virginia Tech's annual research budget and would have a debilitating effect on the ability of research universities to carry out their mission. Lives will be lost due to the corresponding reduction in the pace of biomedical research,' said Sands. 'It will degrade the nation's ability to compete in a global technology environment, threaten our national security, and impact the economies of the states and localities that host these institutions. If this F&A reimbursement reduction is extended to all federal agencies, the negative impact on our university would be over $55 million annually.' Sands explained the reimbursements cover costs for federal regulatory compliance, safeguarding human subjects, building and operating costs, maintaining research facilities, as well as the administrative costs required to manage the grants and contracts. 'As I shared in last week's State of the University Address, Virginia Tech's research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and innovation sites have positioned us at the forefront of academic and technical advancement. Our health science and technology research bring great value to the commonwealth that can be measured in lives saved, improved health, and economic growth in the communities we serve and beyond.' – Virginia Tech President, Tim Sands Explore the 'Threads of Nature' with Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine The university said they will continue to monitor and express their 'deep concern' to congressional representatives in Washington regarding the potential long-term effect on Virginia Tech and the nation's long-term viability as a science and technology leader. 'We will continue to advocate for the value and importance of our research mission and make the strongest possible case for reconsideration or revision of this decision,' said Sands. 'Additional information for principal investigators and others involved in our research enterprise will be forthcoming. Please continue to visit our Federal Agency Update page for the latest information.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
