UT Faculty Named to Naval Research Fellowship
Two professors from the University of Texas at Austin join the inaugural fellowship class this October.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Mathematics
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The Office of Naval Research selected two faculty members from the University of Texas at Austin for its inaugural class of fellows. The university stands as the only institution in the nation to have two researchers chosen for the new program.
Why it matters
The program aims to embed academic expertise directly into the defense science planning process. By collaborating with these researchers, the Navy seeks to translate specific military challenges into actionable research projects before funding decisions are finalized.
The Office of Naval Research chose 12 fellows from a pool of 180 nominations representing 70 U.S. academic institutions. UT remains the only university to have two faculty members selected for the inaugural cohort.
The players
Zhenghui Sha
A faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin selected as an inaugural fellow.
Joydeep Biswas
A faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin selected as an inaugural fellow.
Office of Naval Research
The defense agency that manages the fellowship and oversees military science and technology initiatives.
University of Texas at Austin
The Austin-based university that serves as the home institution for the two selected fellows.
The details
The University of Texas at Austin faculty members Zhenghui Sha and Joydeep Biswas will spend the coming year working with the Office of Naval Research. The pair will review research proposals and provide technical feedback to help the Navy and Marine Corps integrate academic insights into their defense technology pipeline. The fellowship is designed to create a sustained network of experts to assist in technical planning.
Timeline
October 2026: A formal welcoming ceremony is scheduled to take place in Arlington.
Coming year: The selected fellows will begin their work with the Office of Naval Research.
The Texas Context
The involvement of UT researchers follows the trend of high-level academic investment seen in the university's five-year, $30 million National Science Foundation robotics research award. This fellowship extends that pattern of institutional influence by shifting academic expertise into defense science planning.
The fellowship elevates the profile of UT’s research faculty in national defense technology circles throughout the upcoming academic year. Residents can expect the university to continue playing a central role in shaping national science policy as the program gets underway.
The takeaway
The selection of two UT faculty members highlights the university's growing influence on national defense research strategies. Interested community members should watch for the official welcoming ceremony in Arlington this October.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and faculty developments in our Mathematics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 3D Printing Industry.
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