All News & Events
VDMC’s Jessica Johnson and CCAM’s Andwele Grant Receive Grant from Neurable
November 13, 2025 Old Dominion University’s Dr. Jessica M. Johnson Ph.D, Ed.S (ODU Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation) and Andwele Grant (CCAM – Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing) are partnering with maritime training leaders at the Virginia Digital Maritime Center to bring Neurable EEG into an Industry 5.0 pipeline for skilled trades training research and design. Their pilot tackles…
VDMC Hosts Isle of Wight County Schools Teachers for Professional Development Day
November 11, 2025 VDMC hosted Isle of Wight County Schools STEM, Coding, Computer Science, and CTE teachers for Professional Development Day. Facilitated by VDMC Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Renne and Research Assistant Professor and Director of the Applied Cognitive Engineering and Simulation Lab (ACES Lab) Dr. Jessica M. Johnson, the PK-12 teachers learned about the free resources available to them through www.maritimeeduhub.org/,…
VDMC’s Jessica Galassie Presents at 2025 SNAME
October 31, 2025 VDMC’s Jessica Galassie had the privilege of presenting at the SNAME Annual Conference, sharing insights on “AI Framework for XR Technology Transfer and Adoption into Shipyards.” It was an incredible experience to exchange ideas with so many passionate professionals, researchers, and students who are shaping the future of naval architecture and marine engineering. The discussions that followed…
VDMC Attends VMA’s 105th Annual Maritime Banquet
October 27, 2025 VDMC’s Jessica Galassie, MBA and Dr. Krzysztof Rechowicz attended the Virginia Maritime Association 105th Annual Maritime Banquet during the VMA25 International Trade Symposium. Jessica and Krzysztof joined Old Dominion University‘s Elspeth McMahon, Ph.D., Dr. Barbara Blake, Dr. Rafael Diaz, Milton Soto-Ferrari and Jerry Cronin at the ODU-hosted table. At this banquet, VMA honored leaders shaping the Commonwealth’s…
Maritime Education Hub (MEH) is Officially LIVE!
October 23, 2025 The Maritime Education Hub (MEH) is now officially LIVE on the BuildSubmarines.com website, under the education page! The Maritime Education Hub is intended for 4th through 12th grade students and educators as an open-source K-12 platform that immerses students in hands-on, technology-enabled maritime learning – covering shipbuilding, repair, ports and more – while aligning with state standards…
VDMC and OERI Team Members Attend US Navy and US Marine Corps’ 250th Anniversary Celebration in Philadelphia
October 14, 2025 VDMC and ODU Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI) team members were in Philadelphia to celebrate the US Navy and United States Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. They were there to support the Maritime Industrial Base Program (MIB) in their workforce development efforts to highlight maritime careers, especially trades and engineering, at the three-day Innovation Pavilion event,…
VDMC Executive Director Moderates Important Panel at DSI Maritime Security Summit
July 23-24, 2025 VDMC’s Executive Director, RADM Mark Whitney, USN, (Ret.), attended the Defense Strategies Institute Maritime Security Summit in National Harbor, MD where he moderated the “Maritime Dominance Panel: Efforts to Revitalize Shipbuilding and Strengthen America’s Maritime Power.” The panel brought together maritime industry experts to address one of the nation’s most urgent challenges: revitalizing and strengthening America’s shipbuilding…
VDMC Hosts NSRP Planning, Production Processes & Facilities and Welding Technology Panel Meeting
July 23-24, 2025 VDMC hosted the NSRP | National Shipbuilding Research Program Planning, Production Processes & Facilities and Welding Technology Panel Meeting. With nearly 80 in-person attendees—plus more joining virtually—this event offered a fantastic opportunity to dive into the latest in smart docking systems, shipyard operations, cobot technology, cutting-edge welding technologies, and more. Participants also toured the Cobot Alliance Training…
Jessica Galassie Visits Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project
June 16, 2025 VDMC’s Senior Program Manager for Technology Insertion, Jessica Galassie, MBA, had the incredible opportunity to visit the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Project – the United States’ largest offshore wind farm—located 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. She joined a group of Old Dominion University colleagues, students, and Associate Vice President for Maritime Initiatives, Elspeth…