News and Events

In February, VDMC’s Senior Program Manager for Technology Insertion, Jessica Galassie, represented VDMC at the NSRP National Shipbuilding Research Program All Panel Meeting in Charleston, SC. This biennial event unites all nine NSRP panels to recently concluded and ongoing R&D projects, address technology gaps, and share best practices in ship design, construction, and modernization. Beyond innovation, this is an opportunity…

In late December 2024, VDMC hosted 22 teams from Landstown High School, Advanced Technology Center, Hampton High School, Heritage High School, Grassfield High School, and Western Branch High School for the Digital Ship Challenge Mid-Year Review. Students received guidance, instructions, and expectations for their vessel for the Challenge, which takes place in March 2025. Teams have been challenged to construct…

VDMC team members had the opportunity to tour the cutting-edge smart manufacturing research facility at the CCAM – Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, one of our valued partners in the Virginia Smart Manufacturing Accelerator project. We’re excited about the future of this collaboration and the advancements it will bring to the industry. Thanks to CCAM for hosting us – we…

December 12, 2024 Our Senior Program Manager for Technology Insertion Jessica Galassie, MBA is attending the United States Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Salt Lake City, UT. SAE International has hosted an amazing show to bring all the ArmedServices, DoD contractors, and academia together to bring solutions to sustainment, repair, and supply chain challenges. Thank you to NCMS –…

December 3, 2024 Senior Project Scientist Gul Ayaz is making waves at hashtag I/ITSEC 2024 with her incredible serious game submission, Building Resilient Communities, which has been selected as a finalist in the 2024 Serious Games Showcase & Challenge (SGS&C)! This immersive game puts players in the shoes of policymakers tasked with creating resilient communities to combat the challenges of…

November 9, 2024 Our Research Assistant Professor and Cognitive Engineer, Dr. Jessica Johnson, and Curriculum Coordinator, Jennifer Renne, attended the Reimagine Nauticus Grand Opening Thursday night, as Mrs. Renne serves on the Nauticus Education Advisory Committee. Attendees got to explore the newly transformed exhibits and experiences and witness the opening ceremony of the new wing of maritime exhibits. “The new…

November 8, 2024 Our Senior Manager for Maritime Trades, John Snell, represented us at the AMPP: Association for Materials Protection and Performance Western Area Conference in San Diego this past week. He shared valuable insights on a Workforce Development panel, addressing workforce challenges in the hashtag#maritime trades, attracting new talent, embracing new technologies, and the critical role of mentorship. It…

We attended the Naval Station Norfolk 2024 Fleet Fest on Thursday, October 17, 2024. With the support of the Naval Station Norfolk Fire Department, we successfully set up our Aquatraks, the yellow portable mini towing tanks, just in time to welcome 6th graders from Portsmouth Public Schools. Students had the opportunity to design and test devices to transport cargo across…

The ASNE Tidewater Section generously awarded a $1,000 STEM grant to support VDMC’s upcoming Digital Ship Challenge. Chapter Chair Ken Blair and Treasurer Chuck Doty visited the ODU Virginia Modeling, Analysis, & Simulation Center (VMASC) building to present the grant to our Curriculum Coordinator, Jennifer Renne. This funding will directly benefit the participating teams in this year’s competition, which focuses…