Morgan State University Expands Research Partnership With NASA, Securing Six Federally Funded Projects to Drive Innovation in STEM

GESTAR II Renewal Among More Than $22 Million in Awarded Research Grants Advancing Aerospace, Atmospheric Sciences and Engineering

BALTIMORE — Morgan State University, Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, has expanded its research partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through six federally funded projects awarded this fiscal year. These investments, totaling more than $22 million ($22,542,463), reinforce Morgan’s expanding role in STEM research while enhancing the career pipeline for diverse and highly skilled talent in aerospace and atmospheric sciences.

The recent funding builds upon Morgan’s ongoing contributions to NASA’s Earth Sciences Division through the longstanding Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR) II program. The cooperative initiative, led by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), with Morgan as the project’s only major partner, initially secured $28 million over three years and, with the current contract renewal, now stands at $48 million over five years. This extension ensures continued research contributions to atmospheric and environmental studies, with Morgan employing approximately 50 of GESTAR II’s 150 researchers and providing invaluable investigative analysis and experimentation experience to advanced doctoral candidates and postdoc researchers.

“Private and public sector partnerships that support our institutions help strengthen the very foundation of our innovation economy. At Morgan, we take that responsibility and investment seriously because they exemplify how higher education and government-industry partnerships can drive discovery and expand opportunity,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan. “Our researchers, faculty and students are not only expanding the frontiers of knowledge but also training professionals who are equipped to make an immediate and lasting impact in numerous fields, including aerospace, engineering and others.”

Morgan’s research endeavors will support a range of NASA-led investigations, including data analysis, atmospheric modeling and technological advancements in aerospace engineering. In addition to the existing GESTAR II research, the four new awards comprise grants that were awarded directly to Morgan and conducted by GESTAR II researchers. The newly awarded assignments include: 

• Enhancing Coupled Land-Atmosphere Reanalysis – Led by Andrew Fox, Ph.D., this project aims to improve climate modeling by integrating CYGNSS satellite data.
• Evaluating PlanetiQ GNSS RO Measurements – Manisha Ganeshan, Ph.D., is spearheading this research, which examines the application of planetary boundary layer studies to enhance weather prediction accuracy.
• Exploring Diurnal Characteristics of Atmospheric Composition – Headed by Pamela Wales, Ph.D., this project leverages NASA’s SAGE III/ISS instrument for comprehensive ozone and nitrogen dioxide studies.
• Developing a Next-Generation Atmospheric Prediction System – K. Emma Knowland, Ph.D., leads this scientific study, which focuses on refining predictive capabilities for atmospheric composition and air quality.

Beyond the investigative study related to GESTAR, Morgan is also involved with another NASA-related research project that was awarded in the current fiscal year. The initiative, Stress Testing and Hardening the National Airspace System (NAS) for Safe, Efficient, and Resilient Growth, focuses on enhancing aviation safety and operational efficiency within the national airspace framework. Oludare Owolabi, P.E., associate professor of Civil Engineering in Morgan’s Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., School of Engineering, serves as the principal investigator for this sub-award. Morgan’s efforts are part of the NASA University Leadership Initiative (ULI), a university-industry partnership that comprises universities, airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry partners. Led by the University of California, Berkeley, the consortium operates under the designation Center for Air Transportation Resilience (CATRes) and is dedicated to strengthening the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) against major disruptions, stresses and vulnerabilities.

“With the progression of our very meaningful work with GESTAR specifically, and NASA overall, Morgan State University continues to build upon its legacy of excellence in scientific and engineering discovery and innovation,” said Willie E. May, Ph.D., vice president for the Division of Research and Economic Development at Morgan. “We are steadfast in our commitment and long-term focus on fostering talent, producing cutting-edge research and advancing our contribution to earth sciences and atmospheric science research.”

Collectively, these important research initiatives provide critical insights into Earth's climate, weather patterns and air quality, enabling better predictions of future changes while also driving technological innovations that extend well beyond their scientific application. The inherent value of the findings and advancements gained by this research is their impact and benefit to society. The implications are far-reaching, having effects on transportation, medicine, weather forecasting and climatic shifts, aviation efficiency and disaster response, while paving the way for greater solutions to pressing global challenges.

In collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), Morgan has also secured funding to develop NASA Pathways to Broadening Participation in Space Exploration Technology. Led by Yi Liu, D.Eng., this initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing hands-on research and training experiences for students in space technology.

Key elements of this program include:

• Annual training sessions on lunar regolith exploration technology, at the University of Cincinnati;
• NASA internships focusing on space technology applications;
• Faculty and staff workshops to foster academic growth in space exploration studies; and
• Strategic collaborations with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and other industry partners to create a robust engineering workforce pipeline. 

“With these awards, we are continuing to create pathways that increase access and opportunities in STEM for underrepresented and underserved groups,” said Keya Briscoe, MUREP manager. “NASA continues to invest in initiatives that are critical in driving innovation, fostering inclusion and providing access to the STEM ecosystem for everyone.”

Morgan’s sustained engagement with NASA underscores its critical role in developing next-generation talent equipped with specialized skills in aerospace, atmospheric sciences and engineering. Through strategic partnerships and innovative research initiatives, Morgan is strengthening the national STEM workforce by tapping into emerging, underutilized talent pools, elevating the national competitive landscape.

“These awards reaffirm Morgan’s commitment to driving scientific and technological advancements while expanding research opportunities for aspiring scientists and engineers. By fostering strong collaborations with NASA and other public and private sector partners, we are equipping our students with the knowledge, skills and experiences that are so essential for success in STEM careers,” added Dr. May.

About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 academic degree and certificate programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Media Contacts:
Larry Jones or Dell Jackson, for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022