Navy Week: University of Memphis Advances Strategic Research Partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center 

September 13, 2023 — As the University of Memphis prepares to host Navy football on Thursday evening, the UofM is highlighting a strategic research partnership with the Department of Defense and the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center.    

UofM President Bill Hardgrave recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Department of Defense officials regarding the cavitation research taking place at the William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel at Carderock’s Memphis Detachment. Since 2020, the University of Memphis has conducted more than $20 million in sponsored research with Department of Defense agencies.  

“The University of Memphis is proud to be conducting research alongside the Navy that supports national security initiatives within the Department of Defense, expands opportunities for private industries and connects our students with leading experts in federal research labs,” said Hardgrave. “We look forward to hosting the U.S. Naval Academy for Thursday evening football and highlighting the extensive research work we do to support naval operations at home and abroad.”  

Projects included artificial intelligence applications to help Navy ensigns train; novel applications of named-data-networking to ensure vehicle-to-vehicle information security; sensor-based, multi-drone fleet management to improve targeting in the field; and more.  

The UofM is engaged in research supporting national defense priorities and promoting the security of warfighters in the field in conjunction with the Office of Naval Research, as well as major defense labs including the Army Research Lab, Air Force Research Lab and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.   

“Our collaborations with the Navy are instrumental to the cultivation of a vibrant research ecosystem that contributes to the national innovation landscape,” said Dr. Cody Behles, Director of Research Development & Innovation. “The opportunities created through these partnerships provide our students with hands-on work that exposes them to the most cutting-edge technologies in the country and ensures their competitiveness in the job market. Our faculty benefit from a relationship that is centered on translating research into applications that ensure national defense and promote economic growth in Tennessee.”  

The naval partnership supports the UofM’s ASCEND strategic plan goals of strengthening the research enterprise by providing federal-level research opportunities for students and faculty.  

For more information about research at the UofM, visit memphis.edu/research. For tickets to see Tiger Football take on the U.S. Naval Academy on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., visit gotigersgo.com/tickets.

Pictured: UofM President Bill Hardgrave recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Department of Defense officials regarding the cavitation research taking place at the William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel at Carderock’s Memphis Detachment.