The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) will host a visit from two officials from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) on Wednesday, February 2. Rear Admiral Lorin Selby, chief of naval research, and Thomas Fu, Ph.D., head of the Mission Capable, Persistent, and Survivable Naval Platforms Department will visit the campus. They will meet with Interim President Harris Pastides and CEC Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri and tour the McNair Aerospace Center. Selby will also present his seminar, “Reimagine Naval Power,” at the M. Bert Storey Engineering and Innovation Center.
The CEC has three current projects supporting electric ships, autonomous logistics and cyber security that is funded by the ONR. This includes a recently awarded $14.75 million for research by CEC faculty Roger Dougal and Yi Wang. Dougal’s research focuses on digital twins for Navy power and energy systems, while Wang will work on enabling reliable perception for unmanned maritime systems.
“As chief of naval research, RADM Selby sets the vision which continues this long and admirable tradition of supporting fundamental discoveries, which may then be translated to applications of interest to the Navy, or even spun off into the nation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says Haj-Hariri. “Upon my arrival at UofSC, we made the conscious decision to become significant partners in research with ONR. The visit by RADM Selby and Dr. Fu is a testament of the good work that has been done by our faculty and students and recognizes our contributions to their important mission.”
Selby was named the 26th Chief of Naval Research in May 2020. He previously commanded the USS Greeneville (SSN 772) from 2004 to 2007. As a flag officer, Selby was commander of the Naval Surface Warfare Centers from 2014 to 2016. He also served as the Navy’s chief engineer and the Naval Sea Systems Command Deputy Commander for Ship Design, Integration and Naval Engineering from 2016 until beginning his current assignment as chief of naval research. Fu oversees a broad range of science and technology programs for Navy and Marine Corps platforms and undersea weapons.
“I am proud of the efforts by the University of South Carolina to develop new technologies for the United States Navy to ensure that it remains the best in the world,” says Senator Lindsey Graham.
“I was proud to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure this funding was made available to the U.S. Office of Naval Research and the University of South Carolina,” says Congressman Jim Clyburn. “The research conducted with this award will not only strengthen our U.S. Naval capabilities, but also create a pipeline of diverse STEM graduates to help ensure our country retains the highest levels of national security for decades to come.”
“This funding is a testament to the hard work of the University of South Carolina and its distinguished faculty, and I’m grateful to have supported this effort,” says Congressman Joe Wilson. “I welcome the jobs this award will bring to the state and the ultimate benefits to our national security.”
The ONR is an American government pioneer in sponsoring research in academia. Formed in 1946, two years before the National Science Foundation, it built on valuable WWII relationships that harnessed the talent in academia to address Navy technology challenges. Today, ONR supports a wide variety of scientific discipline, such as marine engineering, ocean science and acoustics, and communications and information sciences.