Innovation summary: This proposal is for the design, development and synthesis of a new class of polymeric materials which will perform under electrical stimulation in a manner comparable to and in some ways superior to physiological muscle. Funding for this proposal will allow for the preparation of the monomers, polymerization, adjustment and optimization of the structure(s) based on performance and processability as a polymer, preparation of polymer-solvent mixtures which allow for the mobility of the polymer chains and the development of a rational design for a commercial manufacturing process. The program is aimed at the design and development of a synthetic fiber which will contract when exposed to an electric charge. As such the material will behave as an artificial muscle fiber. The material will contract at the molecular level by the attraction of opposite charges within the molecular chain.

Project Team:

• Dr. William Hollinsed, Lecturer, Chemistry & Biochemistry (College of Science and Mathematics)

Innovation summary: Business Bound is a community based learning program for first-generation students pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. The purpose of the program is to engage first-generation students beginning in the summer before the start of their-first year. The program centers on developing the academic skills and the social capital needed to be successful in college, with the hopes that engagement in the program will improve academic achievement and attainment for the students who participate.

Project Team:

• Anthony Green, Academic Advisor, Advising and Support Center (College of Business)
• Taylor Williams, Academic Advisor, Advising and Support Center (College of Business)

Innovation summary: Bacterial diseases can cause serious losses in crop yields, but boosting a plant’s natural defenses often comes with a cost - such as stunted growth, poor reproduction, or even plant death. This happens because many of the genes that help plants fight disease are also essential for their normal growth and development. To solve this problem, our project takes a new approach to improving plant resistance. Instead of changing the parts of genes that control what they do, we focus on the “switches” that control when and how strongly those genes are turned on - the regulatory regions of the DNA, known as promoters. By using advanced genome editing tools like CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), we will fine-tune these genetic switches in tomato plants to strengthen their natural defenses against bacterial infections without hurting their growth. This work will not only enhance tomato resilience but also provide valuable insights for future crop improvement efforts, helping farmers grow healthier plants with fewer chemical inputs, supporting agricultural sustainability and food security.

Project Team:

• Dr. Ning Zhang, Assistant Professor, Biology (College of Science and Mathematics)

Innovation summary: This project explores how origami-inspired folding can reduce the amount of concrete needed for structural slabs, addressing the global concern that suitable sand resources may be depleted by 2050. By using geometric shaping rather than added material to increase strength, the project aims to create lighter, stronger, and more sustainable construction elements. If successful, this approach could open the door to rapid, fold-in-place construction methods that simplify building processes and reduce environmental impact. The research positions JMU at the forefront of creative, sustainable engineering solutions.

Project Team:

• Dr. Steven Woodruff, Assistant Professor, Engineering (College of Intergrated Science and Engineering)

Innovation summary: Generations at Madison will unite youth, adult, and senior learners through innovative educational experiences that foster connection, collaboration, and lifelong learning across generations. Led by the School of Professional & Continuing Education, the intergenerational hub will serve as a vibrant area for programs, research, and community partnerships that promote mentorship, entrepreneurship, and social impact. By bridging generations, this initiative will strengthen JMU’s role as a leader in lifelong learning and community engagement.

Project Team:

• Dr. Nick Swartz, Dean, School of Professional and Continuing Education
• Dr. Amanda Kellogg, Director, Professional Development, School of Professional and Continuing Education

Innovation summary: JMU’s inaugural Global Civic Fellows program is an innovative work-based learning laboratory for undergraduate Dukes preparing for global leadership and service. By joining the JMU Center for International Stabilization and Recovery’s exciting projects with international partners in landmine removal, community resilience, and leadership development, the Fellows will gain real-world experience and meet professional change-makers in the humanitarian sector. Through group reflection on issues of policy, practice, and the ethics of responsibility, Fellows will emerge with their own distinctive visions for change as well as a tangible pathway toward careers with global impact.

Project Team:

• Dr. Christie Kilby, Executive Director, Center for International Stabilization & Recovery
• Dr. Kara Dillard, Executive Director, Madison Center for Civic Engagement

Innovation summary: Our project is an innovative approach to teacher professional learning: a cohort-based series of professional learning workshops and follow-up activities designed to build professional collaborative relationships among teachers, local experts, and community resources and empower teachers to utilize their schoolyard to make an immediate positive impact in instruction.

Project Team:

• Katie Rankin, Director, Edith J. Carrier Arboretum

Innovation summary: The long-range goal of the JMU DukeSAT project is to develop and launch a constellation of small satellites (CubeSATs) to provide low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite customers with access to low-cost, reliable LEO wireless networking and seamless communications to the ground, thereby reducing their operating costs and onboard power requirements. In partnership with Interorbital Systems, a launch services company, the current proposal aims to fund a first-flight JMU DukeSAT experiment. The focus of the current project is to support the JMU DukeSAT space flight experiment, a student-centered small satellite mission. This mission will test our ability to launch, communicate with, and collect data from space using an onboard camera to capture and transmit images from LEO, as a step towards continuing small satellite development work at James Madison University and in the Shenandoah Valley.

Project Team:

• Dr. Jonathan Spindel, Professor, Integrated Science and Technology (College of Integrated Science and Engineering)

Innovation summary: Imagine a world in which math is not a source of anxiety or confusion, but a stage for laughter, creativity, and personal transformation. This is the bold vision behind Mathematics Connections Theater (MCT)—a groundbreaking initiative that fuses mathematical thinking with the energy and artistry of live performance, shattering traditional silos between STEM and the arts to ignite a joyful revolution in math education. In the 21st century—fueled by technology, data, and algorithms—more than ever, mathematics is the great equalizer, determining who has the power to shape our world. Join us in raising the curtain for the next generation of innovators!

Project Team:

• Dr. Paul Warne, Professor, Applied Math, Math & Statistics (College of Science and Mathematics)
• Dr. Debra Polignone Warne, Professor, Applied Math, Math & Statistics (College of Science and Mathematics)

Innovation summary: SportSavvy will be an Al-driven tournament management platform designed to simplify how local communities organize, schedule, and promote sporting events. By automating time-intensive tasks such as team registration, bracket creation, and result tracking, the tool reduces administrative costs and increases participation. Developed collaboratively by JMU students, faculty, and industry mentors, SportSavvy serves as both a community resource and an experiential learning laboratory. Through this initiative, Computer Science program (CS) and Hart School of Hospitality, Spart, and Recreation Management students will gain real-world experience in sport technology, data analytics, and event management. Designed as an interdisciplinary learning project, it provides students with real-world experience at the intersection of technology and sports management. The project ultimately aims to make organizing community sports smarter, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

Project Team:

• Dr. Sandhya (Sandy) Manjunath, Assistant Professor, Hart School (College of Business)