For PhD student Doron Reid, RITA has been both a challenge and a turning point. Funded through the program, he returned to Howard University and quickly became involved in hands-on research. Reed hopes to use his journey to inspire young students to explore their creativity through STEM and research.

At Hampton University, Dr. Demetris Geddis, Assistant Dean and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, blends his engineering expertise with a deep passion for mentorship and research. He has played a key role in shaping Hampton’s contributions to RITA and sees autonomy research as an area poised for significant national impact. Geddis believes that giving students meaningful research experiences is essential to preparing the next generation of STEM leaders.

As a long-time AIAA member, Dr. David Casbeer leads AFRL’s UAV Cooperative and Intelligent Control Team, driving advancements in autonomous technologies that strengthen future Air Force missions.

Matthew Little is a senior computer science major at Delaware State University. He reflects on his early experiences at RITA, where collaboration and mentorship have already shaped his growth as a researcher. These experiences have also fueled his ambition to pursue graduate studies and future innovation.

Dr. Anietie Andy is the lead on one of the task order projects and is an Assistant Professor in Howard University’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In this spotlight, he shares how curiosity and collaboration shape his approach to artificial intelligence.

Dr. Gloria Washington, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Howard University and Principal Investigator with RITA, focuses on human-centered computing and deepfake voice detection. Her work protects critical systems while guiding students to combine creativity and technology in their own careers.

Dr. Darsana Josyula, Professor of Computer Science at Bowie State University, was recently awarded the Elkins Professorship by the University System of Maryland. A leader in AI and autonomous systems, she is recognized for both her research and the vibrant community she has built in her lab.

Howard University partnered with Amazon Web Services to host the first-ever AWS Machine Learning University Educator Bootcamp, training more than 200 faculty from 35 institutions to integrate AI and ML into their classrooms.

Florida Memorial Student, Amauri Straford shares his experience working alongside RITA researchers, the guidance he received from RITA staff, and how the internship has shaped

From launching new facilities to hosting innovation challenges and forging national partnerships, Delaware State University is preparing a future-ready workforce, where students gain hands-on experience in AI, data science, and entrepreneurship.

Tuskegee University, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, unveiled three new T-1 flight simulators, giving students hands-on training opportunities in aviation science and aerospace engineering while honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Marking a new chapter in Howard’s research legacy, the University hosted its first-ever Excellence in Innovation and Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony, honoring faculty for groundbreaking scholarship and visionary leadership that helped secure Howard’s historic R1 status.

Ronald Langrin is currently a PhD student at Howard University working as a Graduate Research Assistant on a RITA project.  He is a seasoned computer scientist

Back to News RITA Home Page Redirection If you are not redirected automatically, follow this link to article. May, 2024: Dr. Sonya Smith is appointed

Back to News RITA Home Page Redirection If you are not redirected automatically, follow this link to article. May, 2024: Dr. Sonya Smith is appointed