University of Massachusetts Lowell

AFRL ML-RCP Partner Institution Strengths & Capabilities Survey

 

 

Contact Information

Name: Daniel Riechers

Title: Director of Research Development

Email: Daniel_Riechers@uml.edu

 

Research

1. Please select the research areas in which your institution currently engages. Please provide a faculty contact for each area.

30 publications, 1 grant within the last 5 years; 44 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Tzuyang Yu, Ph.D.; Professor, Francis College of Engineering, Civil and

Environmental Engineering Department; Director, NDT/SHM Lab and Electromagnetic Remote 

Sensing Lab, Structural Engineering Research Group (SERG); tzuyang_yu@uml.edu; 

978-934-2288

58 publications within the last 5 years; 101 researchers involved

Faculty Contact: Neil Shortland III, Ph.D.; Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities 

and Social Sciences, School of Criminology and Justice Studies; Director, Center for Terrorism 

and Security Studies;  Neil_Shortland@uml.edu; 978-934-4045  

98 publications, 2 grants within the last 5 years; 121 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Paul Song, Ph.D.; Professor, Kennedy College of Sciences, Department of

Physics & Applied Physics; Paul_Song@uml.edu; 978-934-4905

22 publications within the last 5 years; 33 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Alessandro Sabato, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor, Francis College of Engineering, 

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department; Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems

Laboratory (SDASL), SCORE; Alessandro_Sabato@uml.edu; 978-934-5253

37 publications, 1 grant, within the last 5 years; 37 researchers involved

Faculty contact:  Marianna Maiaru, Ph.D; Associate Professor, Francis College of Engineering, 

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department; Marianna_Maiaru@uml.edu; 978-934-2736

    15 publications; 14 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Supriya Chakrabarti, Ph.D.; Professor, Kennedy College of Sciences, Physics 

and Applied Physics Department; Director, Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology; 

Supriya_Chakrabarti@uml.edu; 978-934-3287

68 publications,1 grant within the last 5 years; 77 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Supriya Chakrabarti, Ph.D.; Professor, Kennedy College of Sciences, Physics 

and Applied Physics Department; Director, Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology; 

Supriya_Chakrabarti@uml.edu; 978-934-3287

114 publications within the last 5 years; 100 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Jeffrey R Moore. Ph.D.; Professor, Kennedy College of Sciences, Biological 

Science Department; Graduate Coordinator; UMOVE Co-Director; Jeffrey_Moore@uml.edu; 

978-934-5337

58 publications,1 grant  within the last 5 years; 70 researchers involved

Faculty contacts: Ramaswamy Nagarajan, Ph.D.; Professor, Francis College of Engineering, 

Plastics Engineering Department; Co-Director, Center for Advanced Materials (CAM); Co-

Director, HEROES Initiative; Co-Director, Fabric Discovery Center; 

Ramaswamy_Nagarajan@uml.edu; 978-934-3454

61 publications, 2 grants within the last 5 years; 74 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Joey L. Mead; University Professor, Francis College of Engineering, Plastics 

Engineering Department; Co-Director, Nanomanufacturing Center of Excellence; Deputy 

Director, NSF Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing; Center Director, SHAP3D; 

Joey_Mead@uml.edu; 978-934-3446

52 publications within the last 5 years; 66 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Hualiang Zhang, Ph.D.; Professor, Francis College of Engineering, Electrical & 

Computer Engineering Department; Hualiang_Zhang@uml.edu, 978-934-5376

35 publications within the last 5 years; 45 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Jan Kosny, Ph.D.; Research Professor, Francis College of Engineering, 

Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department; Director, Building Energy Efficiency and 

Temperature Control Materials Laboratory; Co-Director, Photovoltaic Prototyping and Testing 

Laboratory; Jan_Kosny@uml.edu; 978-934-1903

  11 publications within the last 5 years; 15 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Christopher Niezrecki, Ph.D.; Distinguished University Professor, Francis 

College of Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department; Director, Center for 

Energy Innovation; Co-director, Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems Laboratory; Co-director, 

Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy; Christopher_Niezrecki@uml.edu; 978-934-2963

Faculty contact: Neil Shortland III, Ph.D.; Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Criminology and Justice Studies; Director, Center for Terrorism and Security Studies; Neil_Shortland@uml.edu;  978-934-4045

1,565 publications, 42 grants, 1 patent within the last 5 years; 500 researchers involved

Faculty contact: Neil Shortland III, Ph.D.; Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities 

and Social Sciences, School of Criminology and Justice Studies; Director, Center for Terrorism 

and Security Studies; Neil_Shortland@uml.edu;  978-934-4045

 

2. Please note, in detail, any research areas of strength not listed above. This may include fundamental sciences (e.g., math, physics, biology, etc.).

 

3. Are there any emerging areas of research your institution is actively seeking to develop? If available, please provide a faculty contact for each area.

UML is interested in further developing our strengths in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, and biotechnology, all described above. Additionally, we are interested in developing strengths in:

Faculty Contact: Jonghan Kim, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. 

Program Director; Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences; Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences

Department; Jonghan_Kim@uml.edu; 978-934-3394 Faculty Contact: Richard Meiklejohn; 

Innovation Leader UMass Lowell M2D2; richard_meiklejohn@uml.edu; 978-934-3479

Faculty Contact: Neil Shortland III, Ph.D.; Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities 

and Social Sciences, School of Criminology and Justice Studies; Director, Center for Terrorism 

and Security Studies;  Neil_Shortland@uml.edu; 978-934-4045 

Faculty Contact: Neil Shortland III, Ph.D.; Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities 

and Social Sciences, School of Criminology and Justice Studies; Director, Center for Terrorism 

and Security Studies; Neil_Shortland@uml.edu; 978-934-4045 

Faculty Contact: Claire Lee, Ph.D.; Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and 

Social Sciences, School of Criminology and Justice Studies; Claire_Lee@uml.edu; 978-934-4259

Faculty Contact: Arie Perliger, Ph.D.; Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social 

Sciences, School of Criminology and Justice Studies; Arie_Perliger@uml.edu; 978-934-4268

Faculty contact: Paul Robinette, Ph.D.;

Faculty contact: Neil Shortland III, Ph.D.; Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities 

and Social Sciences, School of Criminology and Justice Studies; Director, Center for Terrorism 

and Security Studies; Neil_Shortland@uml.edu;  978-934-4045

 

4. Does your institution have any internal research centers or participate in any research consortia? If so, please describe briefly and if possible include the URL. Please provide a faculty contact for each center.

 UML Research Centers & Institutes

Short description: The UMass Lowell Center for Advanced Manufacturing of Polymers and Soft 

Materials (AMPS), formerly the Nanomanufacturing Center, leverages a strong plastics heritage 

along with industrial scale equipment to develop advanced nanomanufacturing processes, in a safe, 

reproducible and controlled environment.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/nano/

Center Director Contact info: Joey Mead; (Joey_Mead@uml.edu)

Short description: For more than 40 years, UMass Lowell has been a leader in wind, solar and nuclear energy – as well as energy storage and next-generation fuel systems. By partnering with industry, the 70+ faculty members within the Center for Energy Innovation have developed a model for addressing energy challenges through research collaborations. Companies can work side-by-side with our renowned faculty and talented students to develop tomorrow’s clean energy solutions.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/energy/

Center Director Contact info: Christopher Niezrecki, Ph.D.; (Christopher_Niezrecki@uml.edu)

Short description: The Climate Change Initiative brings people together from across the University 

to catalyze evidence-based climate action through our research, education and community 

engagement. The Climate Change Initiative (CCI) includes more than 60 faculty members and 10 

staff from 20 academic departments and all five colleges at UMass Lowell. Student leaders also 

participate in CCI events, retreats, and decision-making. We use a systems thinking framework to 

explore interactions between expertise and forge new programs, projects, and policy.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/climate-change/

Center Director Contact info: Ruairi O'Mahony, Ph.D.; (Ruairi_OMahony@uml.edu)

Short description: The Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology (LoCSST) involves industry 

partners and trains the next generation of space scientists, technologists, teachers, business 

leaders and policy makers.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/locsst/

Center Director Contact info: Supriya Chakrabarti, Ph.D.; (Supriya_Chakrabarti@uml.edu)

Short description: The UMass Lowell NERVE Center is an interdisciplinary robotics testing, 

research, and training facility that evaluates robotic capabilities, human performance, and human-

robot interaction. The mission of the NERVE Center is to improve the development of robot systems 

by enabling evaluation across many domains including industrial automation, exoskeletons and 

wearable robots, and disaster response. The NERVE Center develops test methods and metrics for 

measuring robot capabilities, human performance, and human-robot interaction. Test and evaluation 

services are available on-site, in the field, and remotely. The NERVE Center can provide test 

apparatuses, sensors, data collection, personnel, logistics, and data analysis. Affiliated faculty 

include those from Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Therapy, and Biomedical 

Engineering.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/nerve/

Center Director Contact info: Holly Yanco, Ph.D.; (Holly@cs.uml.edu)

Short description: Raytheon Company and UMass Lowell leaders dedicated the Raytheon-UMass 

Lowell Research Institute (RURI), a joint research facility focused on the advancement of innovative 

technologies including flexible and printed electronics. RURI serves as a launchpad for 

collaboration and learning among UMass Lowell faculty and students and Raytheon employees. It is 

in the Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, an $80 million, 84,000-

square-foot facility on the UMass Lowell campus home to cutting-edge research in science and 

engineering disciplines.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/perc/ruri/

Center Director Contact info: Alkim Akyurtlu, Ph.D.; (Alkim_Akyurtlu@uml.edu)

Short description: The UMass Lowell Fabric Discovery Center is dedicated space for design, 

prototyping, pilot manufacturing and testing of high-tech fabrics, flexible electronics and medical 

textiles. Located at 110 Canal Street Lowell, it is one of UMass Lowell’s newest Core Research 

Facilities, with dedicated space for design, prototyping, pilot manufacturing and testing of high-tech 

fabrics, flexible electronics and medical textiles. Available equipment includes roll-to-roll processing, 

multicomponent fiber extrusion lines, textile assembly (knitting, weaving, braiding) and textile 

finishing including coating, printing, sewing and bonding. A wide range of mechanical, thermal, 

flammability and durability testing equipment and services are also available.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/fdc.aspx

Center Director Contact info: Ramaswamy Nagarajan, Ph.D. (Ramaswamy_Nagarajan@uml.edu)

Short description: The Center for Advanced Computation and Telecommunications is active in the 

areas of compute-intensive modeling of physical and information systems, and research areas 

include medical imaging, acoustics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, control, probabilistic modeling, 

information processing and communication networks. CACT was created in 1990 by Professors 

Charles Thompson and Venkatarama Krishnan from the Department of Electrical and Computer 

Engineering with a vision to support students and faculty in interdisciplinary research, education and 

service. Our research focus is on computational modeling of acoustic, communications and 

stochastic systems. In the last three decades, over two hundred students from CACT have 

graduated with degrees in Electrical, Computer Engineering and Computer Science gaining 

experience in undergraduate and graduate research. The Center promotes the engagement of 

students in community service and supports their development as mentors and role models.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/cact/

Center Director Contact info: Charles Thompson, Ph.D. (Charles_Thompson@uml.edu)

Short description: The Advanced Electronics Technology Center develops reliable manufacturing for 

giga-scale miniaturization technology performed in conjunction with supporting companies. The 

Advanced Electronic Technology Center (AETC) at UMass Lowell works closely with engineers from 

local electronic companies such as M/A-COM, MITRE, Polaroid, Raytheon and Triton Systems to 

develop students who are ready for the challenges of a technology-oriented workplace.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/aetc/

Center Director Contact info: Samson Mil'shtein, Ph.D. (Samson_Milshtein@uml.edu)

Short description: The Center for Advanced Materials has expertise in the design, synthesis, 

characterization and intelligent processing of advanced materials, driven by the needs of potential 

technological applications. The Center for Advanced Materials (CAM) has become the focus of 

advanced materials synthesis and characterization at UMass Lowell. Founded in 1992, CAM is an 

association of scientists, engineers, and technicians encompassing a wide range of technical 

disciplines that overlap UMass Lowell's colleges of Sciences and Engineering.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/cam/

Center Director Contact info: Ramaswamy Nagarajan, Ph.D. (Ramaswamy_Nagarajan@uml.edu)

Short description: The Massachusetts Biomanufacturing Center is an interdisciplinary research, 

development and education center that assists biotechnology companies in developing procedures 

leading to validated, cGMP compliant manufacturing processes. The Massachusetts 

Biomanufacturing Center (MBMC) at UMass Lowell addresses industry-wide concerns in a 

multidisciplinary manner to develop procedures that lead to validated, cGMP-compliant 

manufacturing processes.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/biomanufacturing/

Center Director Contact info: Carl W. Lawton, Ph.D. (Carl_Lawton@uml.edu)

Short description: The Biomedical Terahertz Technology Center (BTTC) translates the extensive 

terahertz technology expertise available at UMass Lowell to biomedical applications. The 

Biomedical Terahertz Technology Center (BTTC) was established in 2012 with the goal of 

translating the extensive terahertz technology expertise available at UMass Lowell to biomedical 

applications. Terahertz radiation, which lies between the microwave and infrared regions of the 

electromagnetic spectrum, is highly sensitive to water content in tissues and, unlike X-rays, it is non-

ionizing and has been shown to be capable of detecting intrinsic contrast between normal and 

cancerous tissues. This makes terahertz radiation well suited for biomedical imaging, especially for 

studying colorectal cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer. Learn More.iomedical Terahertz 

Technology Center (BTTC) translates the extensive terahertz technology expertise available at 

UMass Lowell to biomedical applications.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/biomedical-terahertz-technology-center/

Center Director Contact info: Robert H. Giles, Ph.D.; (Robert_Giles@uml.edu)

Short description: The multidisciplinary Center for Computer Machine/Human Intelligence, 

Networking & Distributed Systems is dedicated to research, training and education to advance the 

analytical, experimental and operational aspect of computer hardware and software and information 

technologies that have potential influence on the acquisition, management and storage of 

knowledge and "big data" knowledge extraction, data engineering and services, and 

machine/human computational intelligence.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/cminds/

Center Director Contact info: Dalila B. Megherbi, Ph.D. (Dalila_Megherbi@uml.edu)

Short description: The Center for Internet Security & Forensics Education & Research (i-SAFER) 

advances the knowledge and practice of information assurance and digital forensics through 

research, education and outreach.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/isafer/

Center Director Contact info: Xinwen Fu, Ph.D. (xinwenfu@cs.uml.edu)

Short description: The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) is a lifeline for 

the state’s smaller medical device companies, offering inventors and executives easy, affordable, 

and coordinated access to world-class researchers and resources at the UMass Lowell and the 

UMass Medical School campuses of the University of Massachusetts.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/m2d2/

Center Director Contact info: Nathaniel (Nate) Hafer, Ph.D. (Nathaniel.Hafer@umassmed.edu)

Short description: Research and development in the Center for Photonics, Electromagnetics and 

Nanoelectronics focuses on the interaction of electromagnetic fields with materials and devices of 

use in microwave and optical systems and applications.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/cpen/

Center Director Contact info: Alkim Akyurtlu, Ph.D.; (Alkim_Akyurtlu@uml.edu)

Short description: The Center for Terrorism and Security Studies (CTSS) leads and facilitates 

scientific research, education and training to help understand and respond to the evolution, 

convergence and complexity of domestic and foreign security challenges.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/ctss/

Center Director Contact info: Neil Shortland III, Ph.D.; (Neil_Shortland@uml.edu)

Short description: The Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy is the university’s center for hands-

on research on sustainability, climate change and renewable energy. Our goal is to create blueprints 

for human scale sustainability in communities throughout our region and across the world. The Rist 

Institute for Sustainability and Energy brings together the university’s extensive research enterprise, 

more than 85 faculty members and our dedicated students to power the next generation – 

and every generation to follow. Rist also has DifferenceMaker program, where the Rists are 

supporters of UML who have given to the university money which helps with the 

program operations. The Office of Sustainability (RIST) also has Sustainability Engagement & 

Enrichment Development (S.E.E.D.) Funds where they give to selected student projects.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/sustainability/

Center Director Contact info: Ruairi O'Mahony, Ph.D. (Ruairi_OMahony@uml.edu)

Short description: The UMass Lowell Research Institute (UMLRI), located in Lincoln MA, is the 

Commonwealth’s newest emerging technology hub providing cradle to grave innovative solutions 

for our aerospace and defense industry partners and the DoD acquisition life cycle. The UMass 

Lowell Applied Research Corporation, a newly formed 501(c)3 non-profit, serves as the contracting 

entity on behalf of UMLRI. The Northstar Campus, a division of UMLRI, was created to accelerate 

early stage technologies in support of local military installations and nationwide across the National 

Defense Industrial Base.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research-institute/about.aspx

Center Director Contact info: Matthew S. McSwain, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.);

(Matthew_McSwain@uml.edu)

Short description: The Peace & Conflict Studies Institute's focus is to promote education and 

research and practice concerning peace and conflict issues.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/pacsi/

Center Director Contact info: Robert Gamache, Ph.D.; (Robert_Gamache@uml.edu)

Short description: The UMass Lowell Center of Biomedical and Health Research in Data Sciences 

(CHORDS) conducts cutting-edge informatics research to accelerate biomedical and healthcare 

discoveries through innovative computational methods and technologies in information 

science, data science and translational science. The Center includes leaders and experts from a 

diverse set of fields including computer science, epidemiology, biostatistics, nursing, public health, 

mathematics and more.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/chords/

Center Director Contact info: Hong Yu, Ph.D; (Hong_Yu@uml.edu)

Short description: The Center for Pathogen Research and Training (CPRT) aims to develop 

knowledge and technological solutions for combating infections and contaminations caused by 

pathogenic microorganisms. The Center for Pathogen Research and Training (CPRT) focuses on 

new technology development, fundamental investigations, clinical translation, student training, 

service and outreach to communities. The goal is to establish CPRT as a Center of Excellence in 

research, training, and technology development, providing vital solutions in combating pathogen-

caused infections, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental contaminations.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/cprt/

Center Director Contact info: Mingdi Yan, Ph.D.; (Mingdi_Yan@uml.edu)

Short description: The mission of the Center for Smart Cyber-Physical Systems (SCyPS) is to 

develop high-impact solutions to key challenges in heterogeneous distributed cyber-physical 

systems that support emerging smart society, data-centric applications. By taking an

interdisciplinary approach with a team of science and engineering researchers, SCyPS commits to 

increasing cyber-physical system reliability and scalability, improving resource utilization, and 

guaranteeing system security and privacy. SCyPS will engage industry and community partners to 

meet their needs while training students and building the future workforce. The Center for Smart 

Cyber-Physical Systems (SCyPS) will establish itself as an internationally recognized center for 

research and education focused on innovation, evaluation, and optimization of hardware and 

software technologies for an advanced, smart society.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/scyps/about.aspx

Center Director Contact info: Vinod M. Vokkarane, Ph.D.; (vinod_vokkarane@uml.edu)

Short description: The UMass Movement Research Center (UMOVE) improves our understanding 

of biomechanics and develops clinical applications addressing movement-related issues in health, 

injury rehabilitation and injury prevention. UMOVE engages a widely interdisciplinary research team 

to study the science of how bone and muscle systems work under different conditions which will 

facilitate new and exciting discoveries that enhance human performance and health.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/umove/

Center Director Contact info: Matthew Gage, Ph.D.; (Matthew_Gage@uml.edu)

Short description: The University of Massachusetts (UMass) Center for Digital Health (CDH) is a 

multi-campus UMass partnership (Lowell, Worcester (Medical School), and Boston). The CDH will 

serve as a hub for: research activities in digital health innovations; validation and evaluation of tools 

for digital health; academe-industry partnerships in digital health; consultancy and technology 

transfer for digital health; and education for the digital health workforce.

URL:  https://www.uml.edu/research/digital-health/

Center Director Contact info: Yu Cao, Ph.D.; (yu_cao@uml.edu)

 

Research consortia

Short description: HEROES is a strategic partnership between UMass Lowell and DEVCOM SC. 

Together we collaborate with Industry, academia, and government to leverage intellectual assets 

and resources to create knowledge accessible now and in the future. As an interdisciplinary 

research and development group, students, staff, and faculty work alongside DEVCOM SC 

scientists and engineers to transform ideas into products to increase national security and enhance 

the US warfighter. HEROES collaborates on projects related to protective textiles, solar powered 

fabric, etc.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/HEROES/

Contact info: Ramaswamy Nagarajan, Ph.D.; HEROES Initiative Co-Director 

(Ramaswamy_Nagarajan@uml.edu)

Short description: The Biomanufacturing Science and Technology Consortium is dedicated to 

advancing U.S. manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. Members include academic researchers and 

industry partners. BioTnet (Biomanufacturing Training Network) is a collaborative training network 

building workforce training and development solutions for the U.S. biopharmaceutical manufacturing 

industry. The NIIMBL supported training network is in its pilot stage and includes UMass Lowell, 

UMass Dartmouth, Mass Biologics, and MIT with industry input from Merck & Co., Pfizer, and 

Millipore Sigma.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/bstc/

Contact info: Carl Lawton, Ph.D.; Carl_Lawton@uml.edu; 978-934-3158

Short description: The System of Systems Consortium (SOSSEC) was specifically formed to 

address the needs of the Department of Defense (DoD).  It is founded on a simple concept: that 

collaboration, innovation, and cooperation among a broad spectrum of industry, academia and non-

profits vastly improves the products and services delivered to its clients. This concept, combined 

with a competitive environment among Consortium membership, supported by quality oversight by 

SOSSEC, Inc., ensures low-risk, lowest-cost, and the best-of-breed delivery of prototype solutions 

to our clients. Most traditional companies do not provide the breadth of capabilities that we do.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research-institute/industry-contract-vehicles/sossec.aspx

Contact info: Matthew S. McSwain, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.) Director, UMass Lowell Research Institute 

(Matthew_McSwain@uml.edu)

Short description: Biopharmaceutical Process and Quality Consortium (BPQC) is an 

interdisciplinary and multi-university research collaboration based on Massachusetts 

BioManufacturing Center at UMass Lowell.  With a close collaboration with biopharmaceutical 

manufacturers, system suppliers, and raw material providers, the consortium focuses on developing 

next generation biopharmaceutical process, platform manufacturing process, and PAT and QbD 

technologies.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/biomanufacturing/bpqc/

Contact info: Seongkyu Yoon, Ph.D.; Consortium Lead (bpqc@uml.edu)

Short description: The FIBERS (Facilitating Industry by Engineering, Roadmapping and Science) 

Composites Manufacturing Industry Consortium was established through a two-year grant from 

NIST AMTech Program to strength U.S. Composites manufacturing and innovation by: forming a 

consortium of composites manufacturers and suppliers, government labs, academics and non-profit 

organizations and developing a road map to identify the challenges and gaps in the composites 

manufacturing industry, identify research and development priorities, and create a network of 

stakeholders prepared to foster solutions.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/fibers/

Contact info: James A. Sherwood, Ph.D.; FIBERS Co-director (James_Sherwood@uml.edu)

Short description: Massachusetts Space Grant is a consortium of 4-year colleges and universities, 

community colleges, and public outreach organizations. MASGC’s primary goal is to represent 

NASA in Massachusetts, to promote public understanding of and support for space exploration and 

research, and to encourage students to choose courses of study that will lead them to enter the 

technical workforce. One of MASGC’s primary activities is providing fellowships to Massachusetts 

students to enable them to engage in study and research projects and to attend meetings that they 

would not be able to do without Space Grant support.

URL: https://maspacegrant.com/ 

Contact info: masgc@mit.edu; (617) 258-5546

Short description: NEROC is a nonprofit consortium of educational and research institutions. 

NEROC’s mission is to further research, education, and scientific collaboration in the field of radio 

science. Opportunities for collaboration are broader and more diverse than ever before. As part of 

the newly launched transformation of NEROC into its modern form, a NEROC annual symposium 

series was launched with the goal of identifying common interests, complementary capabilities, and 

specific collaboration opportunities. The 2017 second annual symposium held at Haystack drew 

many participants from across the Northeast presenting on a wide range of topics.

URL: https://www.haystack.mit.edu/about/northeast-radio-observatory-corporation-neroc/

Contact info: Supriya Chakrabarti, Ph.D.; (Supriya_Chakrabarti@uml.edu)

Short description: The Printed Electronics Research Collaborative (PERC) established a strategic 

partnership between industry, university and government to strengthen and expand the region’s 

capabilities in printed and flexible electronics.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/perc/

Contact info: Alkim Akyurtlu, Ph.D.; Director, PERC; (Alkim_Akyurtlu@uml.edu)

Short description: The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is an internationally-

dispersed consortium with members from industry, academia and the nonprofit sector that aims to 

be the partner of choice for private industry, academic institutions, government agencies, and other 

research organizations seeking to accelerate the development of medical solutions that prevent and 

treat injuries and restore America’s military and veterans to full health.

URL: https://www.ati.org/collaboration/mtec/

Contact info: Matthew Gage, Ph.D.; (Matthew_Gage@uml.edu)

Short description: WindSTAR is an NSF-funded Industry/University Cooperative Research Center 

for Wind Energy, Science, Technology and Research. A collaboration between UMass Lowell and 

the University of Texas at Dallas, the Center aims to solve the pressing needs of the wind industry. 

The mission of WindSTAR is to bring together university and industry researchers to conduct basic 

and applied research on topics important to wind industry members. The Center combines 

capabilities, facilities, and knowledge to execute projects of interest to industry partners, train 

students in advanced technologies, and foster a community for industry/university networking and 

collaboration.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/windstar/about/

Contact info: Christopher Niezrecki, Ph.D.; WindSTAR Center Director 

(Christopher_Niezrecki@uml.edu)

Short description: The Massachusetts Alliance for Space Technology and Sciences (MASTS) is a 

consortium of universities, colleges and corporations working to develop advancements in the 

emerging small satellite industry. Working together, MASTS partners will contribute to scientific and 

technical discoveries, accelerate the introduction of new technologies, and create a thriving 

economic environment which will support growing businesses and train a talented workforce in the 

region.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/research/locsst/masts/

Contact info: Supriya Chakrabarti, Ph.D.; (Supriya_Chakrabarti@uml.edu)

 

5. Please provide a list of relevant facilities and equipment. 

UML Core Research Facilities (CRF):

URL: https://www.uml.edu/Research/CRF/

Contact information: Karen Hamlin, Executive Director, Core Research Facilities (Karen_Hamlin@uml.edu)

crf@uml.edu

 

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/materials-chemical-characterization-lab.aspx

Short description: The Materials & Chemical Characterization Lab (MCC) offers a wide variety of 

chemical analysis and materials characterization services. Located in Saab Emerging 

Technologies & Innovation Center, North Campus, Lowell, it is a part of the Core Research 

Facilities and offers a wide variety of chemical analysis and materials characterization services. 

Instruments and technical expertise including GPC, HPLC, LC/MS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRD, and 

QTof. The MCC provides quantitative and qualitative analysis, purity testing and method 

development. Consultative services are also available.

Faculty Contact: Lab Manager, Wendy Gavin; Email: wendy_gavin@uml.edu; 

Phone: 978-934-2429

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/cell-analysis-imaging-lab.aspx

Short description: The Cell Analysis & Imaging Lab provides researchers access to 

instrumentation in flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and consultative services. Located in 

Saab Emerging Technologies & Innovation Center, North Campus, Lowell, it is a part of the Core 

Research Facilities and offers researchers training and services to the instrumentation including 

Amnis FlowSight Imaging Flow Cytometer, Sony MA900 Cell Sorter, Leica SP8 laser scanning 

confocal microscope and Olympus FV300 Fluorescence Microscope. Consultative services are 

also available.

Faculty Contact: Lab Manager, Mingli Hou; Email: mingli_hou@uml.edu; Phone: 978-934-2552 

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/lypo-lab.aspx

Short description: The Lyophilization Lab is a state-of-the-art, non-GMP, pilot scale, 

manufacturing facility for the R&D of biopharmaceutical products requiring a lyophilization 

process step. The LyoBay pilot scale facility can assist researchers in bringing laboratory scale 

materials to a highly optimized, non-GMP pilot scale utilizing cutting-edge lyophilization 

equipment and technology in a Class 100 cleanroom. This lab is part of the Core Research 

Facilities. Consultative services are also available.

Faculty Contact: Lab Manager, Wendy Gavin Email: wendy_gavin@uml.edu 

Phone: 978-934-2429

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/nanofab-lab.aspx

Short description: The Nanofabrication Lab Wing of the Emerging Technologies and Innovation 

Center offers clean-room facilities equipped to handle complex research projects that require 

micro- and nanoscale fabrication. The lab features a state-of-the-art, 4,200 ft2 Class 100 clean 

room equipped with over 40 pieces of process and analytical instrumentation for complex 

research projects that require micro and nano scale fabrication. A central part of the Core 

Research Facilities, technical expertise, foundry services, and use of equipment is available for 

dicing, stress measurements, deposition, deep silicon etch and photo lithography. Consultative 

services are also available.

Faculty Contact: Lab Manager, Justin Moreau Email: justin_moreau@uml.edu; 

Phone: 978-934-3615

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/next-gen-sequencing-lab.aspx

Short description: The Next Generation Sequencing, Genomics & Bioinformatics Lab provides 

DNA and RNA sequencing services and technical expertise. One of UMass Lowell’s Core 

Research Facilities, the Next Generation Sequencing & Genomics Lab provides Next-Generation 

DNA & RNA sequencing services and technical expertise including NGS library prep, DNA and 

RNA quality assessment, Fluorometric quantification of DNA/RNA/Protein, DNA & RNA isolation, 

PCR/qPCR, Qubit fluorometry, gene expression and drug development studies. Consultative 

services are also available.

Faculty Contact: Jack Lepine, Lab Manager, Next Generation Sequencing & Genomics Lab; 

Email:  Jack_Lepine@uml.edu; 978-934-6319

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/nuc-mag-res-lab.aspx

Short description: Located in Olney Science Center, North Campus, Lowell, the Nuclear 

Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy Facility offers a state-of-the-art JEOL 400 MHz NMR. 

The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Lab features a state-of-the-art JEOL 400 MHz 

NMR equipped with auto sampling and automatic tuning & matching. The instrument can 

perform 'temperature and kinetic studies as well as x-nuclei and 2D experiments. A part of the 

Core Research Facilities, self-use and service work are available.

Faculty Contact: Lab Manager, Wendy Gavin Email: wendy_gavin@uml.edu 

Phone: 978-934-2429

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/rad-lab.aspx

Short description: The Radiation Laboratory provides controlled radiation environments and 

analytical measurement services and facilities for proton, neutron and gamma environments. 

Located in Pinanski Hall, North Campus, Lowell, it is part of the Core Research Facilities and 

provides controlled radiation environments and analytical measurement services and facilities for 

proton, neutron and gamma environments. The UMass Lowell Radiation Laboratory is a unique 

facility which houses a 5.5-MV Van de Graaff accelerator, a 1-MW research reactor and a ~100-

kilocurie Co-60 gamma-ray source within a single complex. High fluxes of gamma rays and 

neutrons of energies from thermal to 10 MeV are available from the reactor and 60Co irradiator. 

Mono-energetic protons, as well as neutrons (using a charge exchange reaction on 7Li), are 

available from the Van de Graaff accelerator, with a new proton micro-beam station recently 

commissioned. The UMass Lowell Radiation Laboratory conducts world-class research in 

nuclear science, trains the next-generation workforce, and provides controlled radiation 

environments and analytical measurement services to government organizations and industry as 

a core research facility.

Faculty Contact: Lab Manager, Mary Montesalvo, Phone: 978-934-3374; 

Email: mary_montesalvo@uml.edu

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/saic.aspx

Short description: The Small Animal Imaging (SAI) Lab at UMass Lowell consists of a suite of 

small animal imaging instruments that includes MRI (Bruker BioSpec 70/20 USR), nanoScan 

PET/CT (Mediso), NanoSPECT/CT (Mediso), IVIS AMI-HT (Spectral Instruments Imaging, Inc.). 

The SAI will support federally funded research and development, training and industry research 

and will serve faculty, students, industry and government partners.

Faculty Contact: SAI@uml.edu

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/therm-mech-prop-lab.aspx

Short description: The Thermal & Mechanical Properties Lab contains equipment including a 

DSC, Q20; TGA, Q50; and a DMA, Q800. Located in Saab Emerging Technologies & Innovation 

Center, North Campus, Lowell, the Thermal & Mechanical Properties Lab houses a complete 

thermal analysis suite and is part of the Core Research Facilities. In this lab, researchers are 

able to investigate the behavior of a material under stress and temperature change. Instruments 

include Discovery TGA, Discovery DSC, Q800 DMA, and Instron 4466.  Service level work and 

technical expertise are also provided.

Faculty Contact: Lab Manager, Patrick Casey Email: Patrick_Casey1@uml.edu 

Phone: 978-934-5519

 

Non-CRF Facilities:

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/acmtrl/

Short description: Advanced Composites Materials & Textile Research Lab (ACMTRL) develops 

a better understanding of the design, analysis, and manufacture of high performance composite 

materials and textile structures. The Advanced Composite Materials and Textile Research 

Laboratory (ACMTRL) located on the University of Massachusetts Lowell campus offers your 

company a resource for research and testing. The ACMTRL has as its charter the task of 

developing a better understanding of the design, analysis, and manufacture of high performance 

composite materials and textile structures. The laboratory is interested in collaborative projects 

and in providing support and technology transfer to industry and government agencies.

Faculty Contact: James A. Sherwood, Ph.D. Dean of Francis College of Engineering, Professor, 

Director of the Baseball Research Center & Co-Director of the Advanced Composite Materials & 

Textiles Laboratory, SCORE, James_Sherwood@uml.edu, 978-934-3313 

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/acanets/

Short description: The Laboratory of Advanced Computing & Networking Systems (ACANETS) 

addresses the challenges in big data analytics, software defined networking and intelligent 

sensing.

Faculty Contact: Yan Luo, Ph.D.; Professor; Francis College of Engineering; Electrical & 

Computer Engineering, Robotics; yan_luo@uml.edu; 978-934-2592

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/combustion/

Short description: This Combustion Lab conducts fire research including the chemistry and 

physics of fire, initiation mechanisms, and fire prevention and extinguishment. These activities 

support current and pending cooperative efforts with federal and other agencies such as the 

Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Energy, NASA, NIST, and the 

National Metal and Materials Technology Center (Bangkok, Thailand). They also work with 

UMass Lowell colleagues in Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Mechanical & Industrial 

Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics.

Faculty Contact: Francis (Fang) Lai, Director; Professor; Francis College of Engineering; Plastics 

Engineering; Fang_Lai@uml.edu; 978-934-3434

Link: https://www.umlarc.org/

Short description: The UMass Lowell Applied Research Corporation (UMLARC) is a 501c3 

University affiliate entity focused on solicitating and accepting Department of Defense applied 

research contracts. UMLARC primarily supports UMass Lowell’s Research Institute (UMLRI) and 

other University Of Massachusetts research centers in pursuit of these contracts.

Faculty contact: Thomas Poole; President of UMass Lowell Applied Research Corporation; 

978-934-3509

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/hal/

Short description: The Health Assessment Lab performs interdisciplinary research integrating the 

fields of biomedical engineering, clinical laboratory science, ergonomics, exercise Physiology, 

nutrition, nursing and physical therapy. The UMass Lowell Health Assessment Laboratory (HAL) 

aims to be a center of excellence in human health assessment. HAL builds on the strengths from 

departments in the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. We perform interdisciplinary 

research and teaching integrating fields of biomedical engineering, clinical laboratory science, 

ergonomics, exercise physiology, nutrition, nursing, and physical therapy.

Faculty Contact: Sabrina E. Noel, Ph.D., RD; Associate Professor, Director for Community 

Engagement, Center for Population Health, Director of the Health Assessment Laboratory; 

Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences; Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences; 

Sabrina_Noel@uml.edu; 978-934-6459

Link: http://robotics.cs.uml.edu/

Short description: Research at the Robotics Lab focuses on human-robot interaction (HRI), 

which includes multi-touch computing, interface design, robot autonomy, trust, and evaluation 

methods.

Faculty Contact: Holly Yanco, Ph.D.; Chair, Professor, Distinguished University Professor, 

NERVE Center Director; Kennedy College of Sciences; Miner School of Computer & Information 

Sciences, Robotics; holly_yanco@uml.edu; 978-934-3642

UMass Lowell Human-Robot Interaction Lab Department of Computer Science; (978) 934-3385

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/crf/ourlabs/materials-chemical-characterization-lab.aspx

Short description: The Materials & Chemical Characterization Lab (MCC) is a part of the Core 

Research Facilities and offers a wide variety of chemical analysis and materials characterization 

services. It is the university’s central instrumentation facility for the characterization of materials 

and is available to the entire UMass Lowell research community and industrial collaborators. 

Instruments and technical expertise including GPC, HPLC, LC/MS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRD, and 

QTof. The MCC provides quantitative and qualitative analysis, purity testing and method 

development. Consultative services are also available.

Faculty contact: Lab Manager, Wendy Gavin; Email: wendy_gavin@uml.edu; 

Phone: 978-934-2429

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/neuroscience/

Short description: The Laboratory for Neuroscience studies normal cytoskeleton protein function, 

mostly neurofilaments, as related to development of the nervous system, and abnormal neuronal 

function, and factors that trigger this, as related to motor neuron disease and Alzheimer's 

disease. The UMass Lowell Laboratory for Neuroscience seeks to understand the basic 

mechanisms that maintain nervous system health, how errors in these processes lead to the 

progressive loss of nervous system function in normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease and 

Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis, and to develop and implement novel computer-nervous system 

interfaces.

Faculty Contact: Thomas Shea; Ph.D. Director, Laboratory for Neuroscience Research; 

Thomas_Shea@uml.edu;  978-934-2890 

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/inssl/

Short description: The Integrated Nuclear Security and Safeguards Laboratory (INSSL) aims to 

promote the development of research, education and training tools that support a wide range of 

global nuclear security and safeguards objectives. The Integrated Nuclear Security and 

Safeguards Laboratory brings together technical and policy experts to solve complex problems 

associated with global nuclear security and safeguards. INSSL is based within the Nuclear 

Engineering program and led by Director Sukesh Aghara, Ph.D. and Associate Director Marco 

Marzo, Ph.D. The technical expertise at INSSL comes from faculty members in Nuclear 

Engineering, Radiological Science and Applied Physics programs at UMass Lowell. The social 

science expertise comes from UMass Lowell’s Center for Terrorism and Security Studies (CTSS). 

The resources for the INSSL include: the UMass Lowell Radiation Laboratory, the home to the 1 

MW research reactor and the 5 MV accelerator; the Massachusetts Green High Performance 

Computing Center (MGHPCC) and strategic partnerships with Canberra Laboratory.

Faculty Contact: Sukesh Aghara, Ph.D.; Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, 

Professor, Director - NEET, Director INSSL, Director - Nuclear Engineering; Francis College of 

Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Sukesh_Aghara@uml.edu; 978-934-3115 

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/sdasl/

Short description: The main thrust of the Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems Lab (SDASL) 

is to develop, employ and improve techniques to solve these problems using analytical 

approaches that are verified through experimental techniques.

Faculty Contact: Christopher Niezrecki; Distinguished University Professor; Director, Center for 

Energy Innovation; Co-director, Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems Laboratory; Co-director, 

Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy Francis College of Engineering; Mechanical and 

Industrial Engineering; Christopher_Niezrecki@uml.edu; 978-934-2963

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/stl/

Short description: The Submillimeter-Wave Technology Lab develops and applies technology in 

the frequency range of 100 GHz to 5THz. As a major UMass Lowell research facility, the 

Submillimeter-Wave Technology Laboratory's (STL) primary mission is to engage with UMass 

Lowell students, faculty, and external sponsors to develop novel solutions to high-frequency 

remote sensing, electromagnetic scattering, radar imaging, and dielectric materials 

characterization challenges in the microwave, millimeter-wave, and THz regions of the 

electromagnetic spectrum. STL also serves as a prime contractor on a US Army radar program 

delivering direct government support in UHF-band thru W-band target signature acquisition, 

radar range design/construction, computational electromagnetic modeling, and data processing 

and analysis tools.

Faculty Contact: Submillimeter-Wave Technology Laboratory Director Guy DeMartinis, Ph.D.  

Email: Guy_DeMartinis@uml.edu; Phone: 978-934-1379

Link: https://www.uml.edu/research/observatory/

Short description: Located on South Campus, the UMass Lowell Schueller Observatory enables 

students to use professional-grade telescopes and other instruments to observe stars, moons, 

and other celestial objects.

Faculty contact: Schueller Observatory observatory@uml.edu; Silas Laycock, Ph.D, Lecturer, 

Department of Physics and Applied Physics; Silas_Laycock@uml.edu; 978-934-3777 

Link: https://ulcar.uml.edu/about.html

Short description: The Space Science Lab (SSL) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell was 

founded with the goal of conducting experimental and analytical research in atmospheric and 

space sciences, to provide research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, and 

to demonstrate how research and development solve real world problems. SSL uses 12,000 sqf 

of laboratory and office space on third floor of the Wannalancit building. The laboratories are 

equipped with the usual measuring equipment required for the development of analog and digital 

electronic systems: spectrum analyzers, circuit analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc. Numerical analysis 

work is mainly carried out on PCs that are networked together.

Faculty contact: Timothy Cook, Associate Professor, College of Sciences; Physics; 

Timothy_Cook@uml.edu; (978) 934-4915

Short description: The UML Nuclear Reactor is water cooled and operates at a maximum power 

level of one megawatt.  It is used primarily for training and research in the fields of nuclear 

science, radiochemistry and engineering.  The reactor is housed in a containment building which 

is part of the UML Radiation Laboratory. Entrance to the reactor is restricted to those persons 

authorized to work in the facility.  Unauthorized individuals must be escorted by authorized 

personnel. Authorizations, changes in procedures, review of experimental work, production of 

radioisotopes, and special problems involving the reactor facility will be taken up by the Reactor 

Safety Subcommittee.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/radiation-safety/using-rad-materials/working-with-rad-

materials/radiation-lab-rules/open-pool-

reactor.aspx#:~:text=The%20UML%20Nuclear%20Reactor%20is,nuclear%20science%2C

%20radiochemistry%20and%20engineering.

Contact information: Steven P. Snay, Ph.D., CHP Director of Radiation Safety, Adjunct Faculty 

(Steven_Snay@uml.edu)

Short description: The Haverhill Innovation Hub located at 2 Merrimack St., 3rd Floor, Haverhill is 

the place for startups and entrepreneurs to develop, nurture and grow their business in Haverhill 

along the Merrimack River. The Prototype Lab includes benchspace, light tools, 3D printing, 

precision equipment and electronic assembly areas.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/innovation-hub/haverhill/

Contact info: Senior Director, Innovation Initiatives Tom O’Donnell (Haverhill), email: 

Tom_ODonnell@uml.edu; phone: 978-934-2641

Short description: The Lowell Innovation Hub located on the third floor of 110 Canal St. in Lowell 

is an 11,000-square-foot incubator/accelerator that connects tech entrepreneurs with the 

knowledge and physical resources of the UMass Lowell community.

URL: https://www.uml.edu/innovation-hub

Contact info: Senior Director, Innovation Initiatives Tom O’Donnell (Haverhill), email: 

Tom_ODonnell@uml.edu; phone: 978-934-2641

 

6. Does your institution have a relationship with any other academic institution or research organization(s) that enables your access to their facilities and equipment? 

 

UNITY is a high-performance computing cluster located at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC). The collaborative, multi-institutional high-performance computing cluster is managed by the UMass Amherst Research Computing team. The cluster is under active development and supports primarily research activities. The current partnering institutions include UMass Lowell, UMass Amherst, UMass Dartmouth, and the University of Rhode Island. With around 15,000 cores and 1,500 GPUs, the cluster is under active development and primarily supports research activities.

 

As part of the University of Massachusetts system, UMass Lowell also has access to the University of Massachusetts’ five campus consortium of Core Facilities and Incubators. Each campus offers unique facilities and equipment access, including:

 

7. Has your institution collaborated with Department of Defense in the past?

 

An additional source of funding from DOD’s Army DEVCOM Soldier Center flows through UML’s Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Solider (HEROES) initiative. Between 2019-2023, UML received approximately $40M to fund 175 projects through HEROES.

 

UML also maintains an active collaboration with the Air Force through the campus’ Air Force ROTC - Detachment 345. The Air Force ROTC - Detachment 345 (Det. 345) - at UMass Lowell is a highly successful organization, respected throughout the Air Force, the educational community and the nation. The Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) unit established at University of Massachusetts Lowell was one of 64 units at colleges throughout the United States established in an effort to procure 27,000 Second Lieutenants by the year 1955. The mission of Det. 345 is to educate and train cadets with the professional, warrior, and moral fortitude to succeed as Air Force and Space Force officers. Among the high quality cadets that Detachment 345 trains, a Fighting Dog family is born. This is forged by the strong bonds formed between cadets through overcoming challenges that harbor team camaraderie and esprit de corps.


Contact: Darren F. Lee, Lieutenant Colonel; Commander, Department Chair, Professor of Aerospace Studies; AFROTC Department; Darren_Lee@uml.edu; 978-934-4946

 

8. Is your institution involved in any federal STEM funding efforts?

 

9. This program requires documentation (i.e. theses, dissertation, presentations, etc.) to go through the AFRL public affairs review process. Would this present a challenge for your institution?


This would not present a challenge for the university. UML’s Office of Research Administration works closely with funding agencies, including federal funders, to navigate any contract negotiations that involve a public affairs review process.

 

Research Administration and Compliance

10. Does your institution have an office of sponsored programs?


11. Does your institution have an approval process for seeking extramural funding?


12. Does your institution accept federal award dollars and manage standard fiscal reporting, and compliance requirements?


13. Does your institution provide guidance to PIs for budget development?


14. Does your institution offer proposal development services?


15. Does your institution offer research development services, e.g., assistance with finding research funding, proposal management, team formation/development, etc.?


16. Does your institution offer research compliance training and education, i.e., roles and responsibilities of principal investigators?


17. Does your institution have a designated Export Control Officer?


18. Is your institution registered with the US State Department Directorate of Defense Trade Controls?


19. Does your institution currently perform Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI/ NIST 800-171 compliant) research?


20. Does your institution currently perform research subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations?


21. Does your institution have a DoD Facility Security Clearance (FCL)? Yes

If Yes:

a. What is the FCL’s classification level? Secret

b. What is the FCL’s authorized safeguarding level? Secret

c. How many safeguarding-approved spaces do you manage? One (our classified work is    

    limited to one Army contract)

d. What is your facility’s CAGE Code(s)? 1QW17  

 

ML-RCP Program Expectations

22. The objective of the AFRL ML-RCP is to enable and enhance the research capabilities of the HBCU’s/MSIs through collaborative research efforts with AFRL. What would be necessary for you to receive to meet this objective? 

 

As an R2 institution looking to transition into R1 status, UMass Lowell is looking to diversify our research portfolio by expanding research funding from the AFRL. Specifically, we would like to grow our research infrastructure by funding efforts to update research equipment and instrumentation, improve access to high-capacity computing resources, and bring top-tier undergraduate and graduate researchers to campus.

 

Educational resources for faculty to learn how to best collaborate with the AFRL would be helpful. For example, providing training on data management and data storage would help ensure faculty know best practices for handling sensitive materials during AFRL-funded projects.

 

Similarly, direct engagement with UMass Lowell faculty by Air Force Research Laboratory would support faculty engagement with AFRL. Through conversation over shared research interests, the capacity of AFRL to support the growth of our research programs will become apparent.

 


UMass Lowell Partner Capabilities Assessment Ohio State 01052024