Vice President for Research Urges Congressional Support for Critical Defense Research

Kevin Gardner on Capitol Hill

Stony Brook University’s Vice President for Research Kevin Gardner made an important visit to the US Capitol this week, meeting with senior defense staffers of the New York congressional delegation to advocate for the swift passage of FY25 appropriations bills and urging Congress to secure funding for cutting-edge defense research in FY26.

During the meetings, Gardner highlighted Stony Brook’s next-generation research in several critical areas of national defense to meet the needs of the Department of Defense (DoD) including: quantum communications, shapeshifting drones, power conversion technology, advanced smart sensor technology and energy resilience.

“We are at a crossroads where continued investment in defense research is essential not just for our national security, but for maintaining the technological leadership of the United States on the global stage,” Gardner said. “The research happening at Stony Brook is a direct investment in our nation’s future, ensuring we remain one step ahead of our adversaries in a rapidly evolving global landscape and training the next generation of science and technology leaders.”

Gardner’s visit to DC is part of an ongoing effort to continue to build bipartisan federal support for Stony Brook research and showcase Stony Brook’s success in advancing US innovation. Gardner met with the offices of Senator Chuck Schumer, Rep. Nick LaLota, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Laura Gillen. These meetings were coordinated by Stony Brook’s Office of Federal Relations, which works closely with congress, the administration, and federal agencies to promote the value of Stony Brook Research and advance the federal priorities of Stony Brook University.