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A research project from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global is providing valuable information about the effects of melting glaciers in Patagonia that feed into coastal fjords, transporting sediments, freshwater and nutrients. Dr. Chris Konek, science director at ONR Global in Chile, said the research will help the Department of the Navy (DoN) understand the effects of a changing climate on the coastal environment. “That’s the kind of the thing the Marines need to be able to handle,” he said. “It’s basic research and so it will help provide a fundamental understanding of this aspect of coastal systems where you can expect more things like this to happen in the future – more glacial melting as opposed to less.” Cristian Escauriaza, professor, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, is the principal investigator along with his university colleague, Megan Williams. They are working with the Filantropía Cortés-Solari, a conservation organization that owns and manages the Melimoyu Elemental Reserve in northern Patagonia. Patagonia is largely remote with a diverse ecosystem and a rich array of wildlife, including penguins and blue whales. Konek said ONR Global is interested in Escauriaza’s project for its potential to inform what’s happening to that ecosystem, which can also help inform what’s happening to other coastal regions experiencing the same challenges.

The Department of the Navy’s (DoN) Naval STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) program has gone live with the newest iteration of its popular Naval Horizons student essay contest for high school and college students.

Student engineering teams from Princeton, Washington College and the University of Alabama have won first place in their respective events at the “Promoting Electric Propulsion” (PEP) boat races, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE). In just six years, this electric boat-building competition has grown from a single university to 34, with more than 200 students who took part in the five-mile races on Broad Bay in Virginia Beach. Dr. Steve Russell, program officer, Sea Warfare and Weapons department, said he launched the PEP competition with a colleague from ASNE, Dr. Leigh McCue, and Tim Cullis, Naval Sea Warfare Center Carderock, after seeing a public race by local hobbyists in the Chesapeake Bay.

School may be out for summer, but an opportunity to gain valuable, professional experience in their field of study has just begun for students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Minority Institutions’ (HBCU/MIs’). Anthony Smith, director, Department of Navy's (DoN) HBCU/MI Program, said there are eight different internships with the addition of a new one this year. “We are embarking on a new student internship program with the Navy Facilities Command (NAVFAC),” he said. “That’s a big deal because that’s focused on students in engineering but more along the lines of civil engineering and construction technology – and that’s a big one that we have not had before. So, that’s exciting for us.” Education and outreach from the DoN includes college internships, graduate fellowships, science fairs and competitions, and curriculum enrichment programs for students of all ages. The HBCU/MI program aims to increase participation from under-represented educational institutions for research, development, test and evaluation programs.

The Department of the Navy’s (DoN) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is seeking the talents of small business partners who can help provide advanced solutions as quickly as possible to the mission-critical challenges faced by Sailors and Marines. SBIR – located at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) – issued a $50 million Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for “Open” topics in areas where the DoN wants to adapt commercial products and solutions to close capability gaps, improve performance or provide technological advancements in existing capabilities. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the delivery of a prototype that has been tested and is ready for transition to the forces and fleets. The BAA, titled 23.4, is open to proposal submission from July 13 to Aug.15. Topics include mission critical needs in the areas of Operations and Logistics in a Contested Environment and Holistic Common Operational Picture (COP).

Cyber and electronic warfare, shrinking defense budgets, and critical international science and technology partnerships were some of the key concerns for seven military leaders from around the world who met at the Sea-Air-Space Exposition.

Lt. Cmdr Tom McAndrew received the Navy Reserve's 2014 Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year award for contributions to cyber and electronic warfare efforts.

ONR-supported U.S. and Indian researchers have completed a month-long cruise studying summer monsoon conditions in the Bay of Bengal.

On Sept. 23, the Office of Naval Research turned over R/V Neil Armstrong to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

At the upcoming Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo, the chief of naval research will announce a new strategic direction for the Navy’s science and technology and research and development programs.