Michigan Tech's research development (RD) team recently led a trip to Washington, D.C., for 23 faculty and staff during the first week of May 2025. The annual trip, which aims to strengthen connections with federal agencies and partner institutions, provided a unique opportunity for researchers to engage with peers and key funding contacts in a new environment.

The trip’s agenda was packed with meetings with prominent institutions and agencies, including The University of the District of Columbia, Morgan State University, and Dykema. Attendees also gained valuable insights into funder research priorities and policy from organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The group included a diverse range of faculty and staff from different colleges and units across campus.

A Focus on Health

This year’s trip had a particular emphasis on health research. Several researchers with a health focus were in attendance, including Adrienne Minerick and Aimee Marceau, both of whom are affiliated with the Health Research Institute. The agenda included a meeting with the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), and meetings with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

• Jiehong Guo (Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering) found conversations with colleagues at Morgan State to be particularly valuable.

• Aimee Marceau (Health Research Institute) had a great experience with ARPA-H.

• Lanrong Bi (Chemistry) was able to connect with researchers at Morgan State and DARPA.

• Maria Gencoglu (Chemical Engineering) had a notable interaction with NIST.
  
  

More than Just Meetings

Beyond the official agenda, the trip fostered connections and camaraderie among the Michigan Tech attendees. These moments are often the most impactful. As one of the trip's organizers noted in a previous article, it’s not just about the formal meetings but about the moments spent together—from sharing a meal to walking around the nation's capital. A smaller group was even able to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol building on Monday afternoon, offering a chance to learn together and connect outside of a traditional professional setting. This "productive break" helps to relieve stress and leads to a more collaborative and positive environment for research.