Meet the 2026-27 ISCE Scholars
From AI-supported research focused on rural communities and public sector decision making to improving postpartum depression screening and understanding foodborne illness, the newest cohort of the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment Scholars Program is addressing challenges across health, technology, policy and the environment.
Spanning disciplines, departments and colleges, the 2026-27 scholars were awarded up to $30,000 each to advance their research, enabling them to compete for funding from external agencies. Within six months of completing the program, this year’s scholars are expected to apply for external funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Research and Education Foundation.
This is the ninth cohort of the yearlong ISCE Scholars Program, which grew out of the institute's Summer Scholars program that ran from 2007-17. Focusing broadly on the social sciences, the institute promotes research in four thematic areas: global policies and practices, health and human development, risk and resilience, and community and environments. Virginia Tech’s Research Frontiers are artificial intelligence, health, security, and quantum.
Meet the 2026-27 ISCE Scholars, including their research topics, goals, and collaborators below.
2026-2027 Scholars
Ashtarout Ammar, assistant professor in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction
Project: Developing and Validating an AI-Enabled Digital Twin Framework to Enhance Efficiency and Capacity in Rural Certificate of Occupancy Permitting Systems
This project aims to improve the efficiency of Certificate of Occupancy permitting in rural and small communities by developing an AI-enabled digital twin framework that does not require extensive technical infrastructure. The framework will help identify permitting bottlenecks, streamline compliance checks and reduce backlogs and workforce strain.
- Ashit Harode, assistant professor, Myers-Lawson School of Construction
- Ralph Hall, professor, Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning
Elinor Benami, assistant professor of agricultural and applied economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Project: Geospatial Foundation Models for Scalable, Cost-Effective Agricultural Conservation Practice Monitoring
This research will test the use of geospatial artificial intelligence to more accurately map agricultural conservation practices, including cover crops and tillage, across regions and over time. The project aims to improve how the adoption and impacts of these practices are monitored, providing a foundation for evaluating their economic and environmental outcomes.
- Mark Reiter, professor, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
- Inbal Becker-Reshef, professor, geographical sciences, NASA Harvest/Microsoft AI For Good, University of Maryland
- Michael J. Cecil, postdoctoral fellow, geographical sciences, NASA Harvest, University of Maryland
Rosanna Breaux, associate professor of psychology in the College of Science
Project: BRIDGE: Boosting the Success of Students with ADHD with a Chatbot that Supports Executive Functioning
This project will evaluate BRIDGE, a chatbot designed to help college students with ADHD strengthen executive functioning skills such as time management, planning and organization. A pilot study with Virginia Tech students will assess the chatbot’s feasibility, usability and effectiveness as an accessible tool for supporting academic success.
- Sang Won Lee, associate professor, computer science
- Marcus Johnson, professor, School of Education
Rachel Cheng, assistant professor of food science and technology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Project: Investigating Spatial Associations of Salmonellosis in the US
This research aims to better understand why certain populations are more likely to become infected with Salmonella based on where they live. By examining the genetic relatedness of Salmonella and demographic factors, the team will identify potential exposure routes and risk factors to inform more targeted approaches for preventing future infections.
- Laura Strawn, professor, food science and technology
- Daniel Weller, adjunct research professor, food science and technology
Niyousha Hosseinichimeh, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering in the College of Engineering
Project: Health System Modeling to Improve Postpartum Depression Care
This research aims to improve postpartum depression screening by identifying barriers that affect screening rates and exploring potential interventions. The team will examine current screening practices and develop a simulation model to evaluate ways health systems could improve early detection.
- Kristin E. Sznajder, assistant professor, public health sciences, Pennsylvania State University
- Vida Abedi, associate professor, public health sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Shalini Misra, professor in the School of Public and International Affairs
Project: Designing AI for Judgment: Cognitive Offloading in Public Sector Crisis Decision-making
This research will examine how the use of generative AI affects critical thinking, judgment and decision making among public managers during crises. By comparing a standard AI tool with a custom designed tool that encourages deeper inquiry, the study aims to develop guidelines for AI interfaces that support efficiency while preserving human judgment and accountability.
- Patrick Roberts, professor, School of Public and International Affairs
- Benjamin Katz, associate professor, human development and family sciences
- Norhan Abdelgawad, postdoctoral scholar, School of Public and International Affairs
Jennifer D. Russel, associate professor of sustainable biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment
Project: AI-Enabled Optimization for a Circular and Secure Economy: Transforming Value-Retention in the U.S. Through Digital Twin Simulation
This project aims to develop an AI supported decision tool that helps policymakers and stakeholders understand the social, economic and environmental impacts of policies for repairing, reusing and recycling everyday products. By allowing users to explore different scenarios and potential trade offs, the tool will support more informed policy decisions while keeping human judgment at the center of the process.
- Sahra Svensson-Hoglun, postdoctoral associate, sustainable biomaterials
- Todd Schenk, associate professor, School of Public and International Affairs
- M. Joseph Sirgy, professor emeritus, Pamplin College of Business